Best Mollys Chicken Recipes

ROASTED SPICED CHICKEN AND APPLES

Steps:

• Place the chicken breast-side up in a 9-by-13-inch pan. Season inside and out with 2 1/2 teaspoons salt and the Baharat. Refrigerate, uncovered, for at least 1 hour and up to overnight; this will help the skin get crispy!
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the onion, 4 sprigs of thyme and 2 sprigs of rosemary. Scatter the apples and remaining sprigs of thyme and rosemary around the chicken, sprinkle with the sugar and a pinch of salt and drizzle with the olive oil. Roast the chicken until the juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 160 degrees F, about 1 hour. Let the chicken sit for 10 minutes.
• Discard the herb sprigs. Add a splash of vinegar to the apples and toss to coat. Carve the chicken and serve with the apples on the side.
• In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast the coriander seeds, black pepper seeds, cumin seeds, cloves and cardamom seeds, stirring often, until fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a spice grinder and blend. Stir in the paprika, cinnamon and nutmeg.

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the brine: Combine the buttermilk, salt, pepper, sugar, cayenne, garlic and thyme in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag. Add the chicken pieces. Squeeze out the excess air, then seal the bag and refrigerate for at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
• When you're ready to fry the chicken, remove from the refrigerator and let return to room temperature, about 30 minutes.
• For the frying: Heat 2 to 3 inches peanut oil in a medium Dutch oven or large cast-iron skillet to 350 degrees F. Set racks on two rimmed baking sheets and keep one next to the stove.
• Whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, baking powder, garlic powder, salt, mustard and cayenne in a large bowl. Drizzle in the buttermilk in 3 or 4 additions, tossing the flour in between additions to make small clumps.
• Remove the chicken from the brine one piece at a time and dredge well in the seasoned flour mixture. Set the chicken skin-side up on a rack.
• When the oil reaches 350 degrees F, lightly dredge the thighs and legs again. Fry for 2 minutes, then add the wings. Continue to fry the chicken, keeping the oil around 330 degrees F, for 4 more minutes. Turn and continue to fry until both sides are crisp and deep golden and the interior of a thigh reads 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, 4 to 6 minutes more (the chicken will take 10 to 12 minutes total from when you add the thighs and legs). Remove the chicken to the second rack to drain. Return the oil temperature to 350 degrees F. Lightly dredge the breast pieces again and fry as you did the thighs, turning halfway through, 10 to 12 minutes in all. Drain on the rack with the other pieces. Transfer to a serving platter and sprinkle with zaatar.

CHICKEN POT HOTDISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter. Add the carrots, onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir in the flour until combined and then cook for 1 minute. Add half the milk and cook, whisking continuously, until thickened, about 5 minutes; repeat with the remaining milk. Stir in the chicken soup mix and then add the chicken, peas, thyme and a few turns of pepper. Simmer, stirring often, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasonings if desired.
• Transfer the mixture to an 8-by-11-inch baking dish (or other 3-quart ovensafe dish) and then cover with the tater tots. Make them snuggly and neat. Bake until the tots are golden brown; begin checking for doneness at 30 minutes. Let cool slightly and serve with ketchup, if desired.

ORANGE CHICKEN

Steps:

• For the chicken: Combine the chicken and salt in a bowl and massage the salt into the chicken. Cover with plastic and let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes or in the refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
• To make the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the orange juice, apricot jam, chile sauce, rice vinegar and salt. Bring to a boil. In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with a few spoonfuls of the hot mixture to make a slurry. Add the slurry back to the saucepan and whisk to combine. Continue cooking until the sauce is thickened and syrupy; this should only take about 30 seconds of boiling. Remove from the heat and reserve in the pan.
• To finish: Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat to 375 degrees F.
• To make the batter: Add 3 tablespoons tempura flour to a medium bowl. Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat. In a separate large bowl, add the remaining tempura flour and whisk in 1 1/4 cups very cold water. (The batter should still have a few lumps.) Add the dredged chicken to the batter mixture and toss to coat.
• When the oil reaches 375 degrees, fry the chicken pieces in batches, turning frequently, until the chicken is golden brown, 3 minutes total. Remove to a wire rack set over a baking sheet to drain of excess oil. Allow the oil to return to temperature before adding another batch.
• When ready to serve, warm the sauce in the pan, then toss in the fried chicken pieces. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the scallions. Serve with rice.