Escovitch Chicken is a famous dish originating in the Caribbean, made by pounding salt pork with cracked black pepper, nutmeg, and thyme in a meat grinder.
It is then mixed with water and half-and-half so that the mixture can be chopped into flakes before frying. The dish is eaten as a dip or on top of mashed potatoes accompanied by carrots and tomatoes for dipping.
How To Make Escovitch Chicken?
Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1-½ cups sliced green onions
- 1/4 cup red bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- 2 tsp crushed dried thyme leaves
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce (dark)
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Cooking Directions
Step 1: Pound chicken breasts flat with a mallet until they are at least ½ inch thick.
Step 2: Brush chicken with canola oil and place in a large skillet over medium heat.
Step 3: Sprinkle chicken with onion powder and ground black pepper.
Step 4: Add garlic, red bell pepper, thyme, and soy sauce.
Step 5: Reduce heat to low/medium-low and cook until done.
Step 6: Remove chicken from skillet and place in a dish.
Step 7: Add the sliced green onions, brown sugar, ground black pepper, and 1/4 cup of half-and-half.
Step 8: Stir ingredients together until smooth.
Step 9: Return chicken to the skillet and add 2 tablespoons of half-and-half if needed.
Step 10: Cook until browned on top.
Step 11: Serve hot. Garnish with parsley or cilantro leaves if desired.
Nutrition Fact
| Nutrition | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 246 |
| Fat | 13.6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
| Protein | 20.7 g |
| Sugar | 0.8 g |
| Sodium | 239 mg |
| Fiber | 0.9 g |
8 Attractive Serving Ideas Of Escovitch Chicken
1. Serve With Rice
Spoon chicken mixture over hot cooked rice. Sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro leaves, if desired.
2. Serve With Steamed Veggies
Add an equal chicken mixture to mixed green salad, and top with poppy seeds, nuts, or freshly sliced tomatoes for garnish.
3. Serve With Potatoes And Carrots
Spoon chicken mixture over hot mashed potatoes or steamed carrots and garnish with parsley or cilantro leaves, if desired.
4. Serve With Mashed Cauliflower As A Dip
Boil 1/2 cup of cauliflower until tender. Drain and mash with 2 Tbsp of butter or margarine. Add 1/8 tsp crushed dried thyme leaves and ground black pepper to taste. Mix well and serve warm with chicken mixture.
5. Serve Over Pasta
If desired, add an equal ratio of chicken mixture to cooked noodles or spaghetti, and top with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro leaves.
6. Serve On Bread As A Sandwich
Spoon chicken mixture over toasted bread slices and top with lettuce, tomato slices, cheese slices, and ground black pepper.
7. Serve On Crackers As A Dip
Spread chicken mixture on crackers and top with lightly crushed pepper flakes, paprika, capers, or any other garnish of your choice.
8. Serve On Pizza
Top cooked pizza crust with chicken mixture, shredded mozzarella cheese, green onions, red bell pepper slices, and ground black pepper.
Some Health Benefits Of Escovitch Chicken
1. Heart Protection
Escovitch Chicken is high in heart-healthy unsaturated fats and other nutrients such as potassium and vitamin C.
2. Blood Pressure Lowering
Research shows that escovitch chicken helps lower blood pressure.
3. Edema For Cancer
Escovitch Chicken helps reduce edema and has anticancer properties that prevent tumor growth, which would be fatal if it had a chance to spread further into the body.
4. Edema For Heart Disease
Escovitch Chicken helps reduce edema and relieves lower high blood pressure to promote the growth of healthy heart muscle.
5. Edema For Diabetes
Escovitch Chicken reduces blood sugar, which means it regulates the amount of sugar circulating within the body, which is helpful for those with diabetes.
How Can Store It?
Store Escovitch Chicken in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freeze for 6 months.
Where Can I Buy Escovitch Chicken?
Grab your pack today at local supermarkets or specialty stores! If you can’t find it locally, look for it online.
You may need to do some searching, but if you’re determined to try this tasty dish and there’s nowhere in your area that sells it, try an online store such as Amazon.com or Walmart.
Conclusion
The escovitch chicken recipe is a unique and delicious dish easily made at home. Cooking this dish is not complicated, and it can be eaten as a snack or with any other meal of the day.
You can find Escovitch Chicken in the Caribbean, Hawaii, and even some parts of Mexico.
