SMOKY PAPRIKA SPLENDOR
Looking for a quick, easy and very flavorful dinner option? A spice rub can transform your favorite meat or fish into party-ready fare in a flash. Some spice rubs are dry, but this one has olive oil in the mix, which yields a marvelous smoked paprika-crusted chicken.
The star in this rub is the smoked paprika or Pimenton de la Vera. Pimenton de la Vera is a paprika from Spain’s western region made from dried, smoked and finely ground red peppers. It adds bright orange-red color and rich, smoky flavor to meat, chicken, fish or eggs. To me, it’s way more exciting than plain sweet or hot paprika.
This recipe illustrates a great doahead method of cooking — grill-roasting — often used in restaurants. You grill the chicken just before your guests arrive to get nice grill marks on the meat, then pop it into the oven to finish cooking while you socialize. After all, that’s why your friends are coming over in the first place — to be with you!
Smoked Paprika-Crusted Chicken
Serves 8
INGREDIENTS
2garlic cloves, peeled and mashed 1¼ teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons Pimenton de la Vera (smoked Spanish paprika)
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon dried oregano
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil 8boneless chicken thighs
Canola oil or grapeseed oil for grilling
DIRECTIONS
Using the flat side of a chef’s knife, mash/chop the peeled garlic with the salt to yield a paste. Scrape garlic into a large bowl. Stir in the paprika, cinnamon and oregano. Gradually stir in olive oil. Add the chicken and rub the spice rub into the chicken. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate chicken for at least 1hour or overnight. Let chicken return to room temperature before grilling.
Heat oven to 400degrees.
Remove the chicken from the rub. Heat a ridged grill saute pan or an outdoor grill over high heat. Brush the grill with a bit of canola oil, then sear the chicken on both sides until golden brown, about 2minutes per side. Transfer browned chicken to a sheet pan, and finish cooking in the oven until a meat thermometer registers 150degrees, about 10minutes. Serve.