Ingredients

Poached Chicken:

• 1 chicken, about 3 1/2 pounds
• 1 large onion, peeled
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled
• 1/4 bunch fresh thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 poblano chiles
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup finely ground tortilla chips (ground in a food processor)
• Salt
• Leaves from 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• Smoky Chile Cornbread, recipe follows

For garnish:

• Shredded jack cheese
• Chopped fresh cilantro leaves
• Lime wedges

Directions

Smoky Chile Cornbread:

4 strips bacon, chopped

2 cups cornmeal, white or yellow

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons sugar

2 teaspoons baking powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

2 teaspoons salt

4 eggs

2 cups milk

1 canned chipotle chile, drained, stemmed, seeded and minced

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives, optional

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Put the bacon into a cold 10-inch cast iron pan and cook over medium heat until the fat is rendered and the bacon bits are crisp, 5 to 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate. Keep the bacon fat in the pan and set aside.

In a large bowl, whisk together the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In a separate bowl beat the eggs with a whisk until foamy; whisk in the milk. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and stir just until combined. Fold in the bacon bits, chile, and chives. Pour the batter into the cast iron pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 to 25 minutes.

Yield: 6 to 8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Inactive Prep Time: none

Ease of preparation: easy