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Week 24 - The Cookbook Challenge - Chicken with Chilli Chocolate

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Week 24
Theme: Chocolate
Cookbook Used: Faking It
Author: Valli Little

For chocolate week, I could have just done a chocolate cake, souffle, mousse... anything sweet really. But I decided I'd go for something different again and do a savory dish. Teaming chocolate with chicken is definitely something I would not have thought to do, but the Mexicans have been doing it for years, so I thought it was worth a try.

I left the plating up to mum whilst I went to photograph the dish. I came back to the table to find Hamsley having a little taste of the dish. Worried he was going to tell me he didn't like it, I didn't say anything. To my surprise, he turned to me and said it was really good. In fact, one of the most favorite meals I've ever cooked!

I could smell the chocolate as it cooked on the stove. I could also taste the chocolate in the first few bites. It was a delicious dish that I would definitely make again. The corn chips add a different texture to the dish, and also add a nice saltiness that is required. Although, I would definitely serve it with more avocado next time, and maybe a margarita.



Chicken with Chilli Chocolate
Valli Little

Get your hands on: 
1 tablespoon olive oil
20g unsalted butter
4 chicken breast fillets
100g pancetta, cut into strips
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 onion, sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
150ml dry red wine
400ml chicken stock
400g can chopped tomatoes
50g chilli chocolate, borken into small pieces
300g can red kidney beans, rinsed, drained

Serve it with:
Steamed rice
Sliced red chilli
Coriander leaves (optional)
Corn chips
Avocado wedges

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C.

2. Heat the oil and butter in a casserole pan over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes each side until golden, then remove and set aside. Add the pancetta, celery and onion and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes until vegetables soften. Add the garlic and win and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Stir in the stock, tomato and chocolate, then return chicken to the pan. Cover and transfer to the oven for 25 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

3. Remove chicken from the pan, cover loosely with foil and set aside in a warm place. Return the pan to the stove over medium-high heat, add the beans and simmer for 4-5 minutes until thickened. Slice the chicken and serve on steamed rice, with the sauce, chilli, and coriander if desired. Serve with corn chips and avocado.

Serves 4.

16 comments:

Looks Yummy! Think I need to make this and read 'Like water for chocolate'!

That Lindt is one of my go-to chocolates when I just want to be able to gobble something up without feeling the need to review it for my blog :P

Have never imagined cooking with it, though! After hearing your positive reviews of this recipe, really might have to give it a go!

Uh-maze-ing. Darling, most certainly as a vegetarian, chicken is out of the question... but this dish is simply unbelievable. I would swing the other way for a day. haha. well done for being game to try chocolate and chicken together. It looks scrumptious. Hope you enjoyed it!

I've always been suss on the whole "mole" thing but maybe I need to trust you and give this a try!

Excellent choice of recipe, I thought about savoury but I love sweets too much to miss out on an opportunity to cook them! This sounds right up my alley & would love to try it out one day too

im so intrigued! and impressed you didn't go for the easy option!

Yum! I've always wanted to try chocolate with meat. Might just go buy some chocolate, chicken and steak now! :)

Ohh! Never tried chocolate chicken. I was meant to head to Mamasita yesterday to try their Chili Choc Chicken before the JM concert, but ran outta time! This does look tempting indeed.

Well Shellie, sounds incredibly delish, I definitely would love to try it when your in a Chockee cook-up mood. With my taste buds, just loving Chocolate and being (Lindt) as one of my favorites..lol. Nothing more I can add. Except a recipe well chosen!
Hugs,
Jeanne xox :-)

I was just thinking about mole today, funnily enough! Bet this would be nice with rabbit too. Looks great, Shellie! I totally think that a margarita is in order next time too, though :)

Chicken in chocolate sounds like a disaster waiting to happen in my book but it appears you've pulled it off to perfection! Haven't had a mole before, wonder where I can procure one...

How interesting! I'd too be waiting with bated breath to see how people reacted but it sounds like it might become a regular dish? :)

I haven't seen this version of Lindt choc yet and yeah, have not tried chocolate with chicken as yet. However I am game to give it a try especially if it looks this delicous.

Ah I made mole for chocolate week too! Your recipe looks like much less faffing around than mine though.

Hi Kyla - Thanks! haha =)

Hi Hannah - Oh I know, it's so easy to just eat. Do give it a go!

Hi Kiranjeet - Thank-ewe darling. Sure did =)

Hi Imasugarjunkie - It's worth a try =)

Hi Ange - Thanks, I love my sweets more than anything so this was a tough call to make!

Hi Emma - Thanks! I am too!

Hi Tangerine Eats - dooo it! you hopefully won't regret it!

Hi Adrian - Ohhh too bad! Hope JM was good though. I went to his concert last year :)

Hi Jeanne - I'd love to make it for you one day if you would like!

Hi Conor - ohhhh yes, I think would be great with rabbit too!

Hi Vee - Yeah, I thought it was going to be a disaster too, but luckily it wasn't since I had to eat it! :P

Hi Lorraine - I think it will have to become a regular dish since Hamsley liked it so much!

Hi Jo - Oh, it's been out for ages! It's worth a shot!

Hi Simaurma - Thanks for stopping by. I did stop by your blog but it's all in Chinese! A bit hard for me to read.

Hi Agnes - Yay for another mole. I'm glad there wasn't too much faffing around in this recipe!

I love how you pick unusual recipes! :)

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