Zesty West African Citrus Chicken Delight
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of West Africa with this Zesty Lemon Marinated Chicken. The perfect balance of heat from chili peppers and the tanginess of fresh lemon juice creates an aromatic marinade that enhances the natural juiciness of the chicken. Marinated for at least four hours, the chicken absorbs all the delicious spices and herbs, making it a standout dish for any occasion. Perfectly cooked until tender, this chicken boasts a delightful golden brown crust and is best enjoyed with rice, couscous, or your favorite bread to soak up the zesty sauce.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Broiler-fryer chickens, quartered
1 (2-3 lb) (Quartered)
Large onions
2 (Sliced)
Garlic cloves
3 (Minced)
Hot green chili pepper
1 (Minced)
Salt
1 tablespoon (N/A)
Ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon (N/A)
Black pepper
1 teaspoon (N/A)
Fresh lemon juice
1 cup (N/A)
Water or chicken broth
1 1/4 cups (N/A)
Peanut oil
5 tablespoons (N/A)
Instructions
1
In a large baking dish, combine the sliced onions, minced garlic, minced hot green chili pepper, salt, ground ginger, and black pepper. Mix well.
2
Stir in the fresh lemon juice, 1 cup of water (or chicken broth), and 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to create a flavorful marinade.
3
Add the quartered chicken pieces to the marinade, ensuring they are well coated. Cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, turning the chicken every half hour to ensure even marination.
4
Once marinated, remove the chicken from the marinade and set aside the marinade. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels to help achieve a nice sear.
5
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 4 tablespoons of peanut oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken in batches, about 5-7 minutes on each side, turning frequently until golden brown.
6
After browning, carefully pour off all but 2 tablespoons of oil from the skillet and set it aside off the heat.
7
Using the back of a spoon, press the reserved marinade through a fine sieve into a bowl to separate the solids. Discard the solids and retain the liquid.
8
Reheat the oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add the strained solids back into the skillet and stir constantly until the onions become translucent.
9
Return the browned chicken to the skillet, adding 1/2 cup of the strained marinade and the remaining 1/4 cup of water or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
10
Partially cover the skillet, reduce the heat, and let it simmer for about 25 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked, absorbing the rich flavor of the marinade.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Zesty West African Citrus Chicken Delight?
It is a flavorful West African-inspired dish featuring chicken marinated in a tangy lemon and chili pepper mixture, then browned and simmered to perfection.
How long should I marinate the chicken?
You should marinate the chicken for at least 4 hours, though overnight is preferred for the best flavor absorption.
What are the primary flavor profiles of this recipe?
The dish offers a vibrant balance of heat from hot green chili peppers and tanginess from fresh lemon juice, complemented by aromatic garlic and ginger.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for a 2-3 lb broiler-fryer chicken, quartered.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to serve 4 people.
What kind of oil should I use?
Peanut oil is recommended for its high smoke point and flavor, using a total of 5 tablespoons.
Is this chicken dish spicy?
Yes, it contains a minced hot green chili pepper which provides a significant kick of heat.
Can I use chicken broth instead of water?
Yes, the recipe allows for either 1 1/4 cups of water or chicken broth for the marinade and simmering liquid.
What should I serve with Zesty West African Citrus Chicken?
It is best enjoyed with rice, couscous, or your favorite bread to help soak up the zesty sauce.
How do I prepare the marinade?
Combine sliced onions, minced garlic, chili pepper, salt, ground ginger, black pepper, lemon juice, water/broth, and 1 tablespoon of peanut oil.
Why should I pat the chicken dry before browning?
Patting the chicken dry with paper towels helps achieve a better sear and a nice golden-brown crust.
How long does it take to brown the chicken?
It takes about 5-7 minutes on each side over medium-high heat until the pieces are golden brown.
What is the purpose of straining the marinade?
Straining separates the solids (onions and peppers) from the liquid, allowing you to sauté the solids first before adding the liquid back for simmering.
How often should I turn the chicken while it's marinating?
It is recommended to turn the chicken every half hour to ensure even marination.
How long does the final simmering process take?
The chicken should simmer for about 25 minutes or until it is tender and fully cooked.
What spices are used in the marinade?
The marinade uses salt, ground ginger, and black pepper.
Do I use fresh or bottled lemon juice?
The recipe specifically calls for 1 cup of fresh lemon juice for the best citrus flavor.
How many onions are needed for the recipe?
You will need 2 large onions, which should be sliced.
What do I do with the marinade solids after straining?
Return the strained solids to the skillet and stir constantly until the onions become translucent before adding the chicken back.
How much garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 3 minced garlic cloves.
Should the skillet be covered during simmering?
The skillet should be partially covered while the chicken simmers.
How much oil remains in the pan for the sauce?
After browning the chicken, you should pour off all but 2 tablespoons of oil.
What is the first step of the instructions?
Combine sliced onions, garlic, chili, salt, ginger, and black pepper in a large baking dish.
Can I marinate the chicken in a plastic bag?
While the recipe suggests a large baking dish covered in plastic wrap, a food-safe plastic bag can also work for marination.
What texture should the chicken have?
The chicken should have a golden brown crust on the outside and be tender and juicy on the inside.
Is ground ginger a good substitute for fresh in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger.
What size should the chicken pieces be?
The chicken should be quartered into 4 main pieces.
Is this considered an easy chicken dinner?
Yes, despite the long marination time, the actual cooking steps are straightforward and manageable.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include west african cuisine, chicken recipe, marinated chicken, lemon chicken, and citrus chicken.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 10 main ingredients required to make this dish.