Chicken Again?

Just when I'd run out of ways to make chicken!  I make chicken almost every day. My family is about to grow feathers and cluck.  Sometimes my husband walks in from work and hands me a pack of salmon, with this desperate look on his face....begging me to PLEASE stop.  

This one is so GOOD!  It's the concept of  Vaca Frita, "Fried Cow", a Cuban dish, except that its made with chicken.  It is lemony, garlicy, finely shredded meat, a little crisp and so tasty. Great over rice.

Chicken "Fried Cow" (corny name...and I'm happy to not take the credit for it)

Vaca Frita de Pollo

2 lbs dark meat chicken (legs and thighs)

½ cup SOUR orange juice (if sour orange not available, use lemon)

¼ cup lime juice 

5 tbsp vegetable oil

1 tsp oregano (minced)

¼ tsp cumin

1 bay leaf

6 garlic cloves (minced)

¼ tsp freshly ground pepper

2 medium onions (very thinly sliced)

Salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions:

Simmer chicken and bay leaf for about 40-50 minutes or until meat is tender and falls off the bones.

Remove chicken from liquid and allow it to cool.  When cool, debone and shred using two forks, then use your hands to shred. The thinner the slices, the crispier it gets at the end.

In a skillet, add about 2-3 tbsp of oil, add minced garlic and sauté on medium for about 1 minute, then add the sour orange juice, lime juice, cumin, oregano and pepper. Stir well, let it simmer for about 2 minutes and remove from heat. Pour that mixture in a separate bowl and set aside.

Using same frying pan, heat it over medium-high, add the remaining oil, once oil is hot, add the shredded chicken and sauté for about 1 minute. Add the thinly sliced onion and cook on medium-high, stirring constantly, until chicken turns brown and feels a little crisp, but onions are translucent and soft. Add about 3 tbsp of the mojo you just made and stir fry for another 2 minutes or until the mojo has almost evaporated completely. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat.

Place on a Serving dish while it is still hot. Pour some of the mojo (the lemon sauce) over it.