BEER-Braised Chicken With Rice and Queso Fresco

Submitted by Michelle S.

"Super bowl of chicken. Full of flavor. "

 

• Ready In: 50mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 2

ingredients

• 3⁄4 cup white rice
• 1⁄8 ounce oregano
• 1 chipotle chile in adobo
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• 1 ounce queso fresco
• 8 ounces chicken stock
• 1 yellow onion
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (14 ounce) bottle beer

directions

1. Cook rice with 1/4 c chicken stock, 3/4 cup water and 1/4 tsp salt.
2. While rice is cooking, strip oregano leaves and discard stems. Peel onion and dice. Roughly chop half of chipotle pepper.
3. Pat chicken dry and season with paprika and cayenne and 1/2 tsp salt. Heat 2 tbsp canola oil in a large, high-sided pan over medium high heat. When oil is shimmering add chicken and sear until browned, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
4. Make sauce for braising. Add oregano and onion to pan used to sear chicken over medium heat and cook until onion is soft, 3-5 minutes. Stir in apple cider vinegar and Worcestershire sauce and cook until liquid is reduced by half, about 30 seconds. Add brown sugar, chopped Chipotle, and diced tomatoes and their juice. Stir in 1/2 cup beer. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil.
5. Braise chicken. Return chicken to pan, submerging at least halfway in sauce. Cover pan, reduce heat to medium, and simmer until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Uncover pan and transfer chicken to a separate plate. Increase heat to medium high and simmer until sauce is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. In the meantime roughly chop chicken or shred with tongs.
6. Plate braised chicken. Return chopped chicken to braising liquid over medium high heat and cook, stirring until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Taste and add more salt and black pepper as desired. Serve braised chicken with rice, spooning over sauce. Garnish with queso fresco and enjoy!