Mexican Marinated Chicken

Tonight at sundown begins Yom Kippur. For 25 hours we will fast. [Ed. note: A WHOLE DAY AND AN HOUR DEATH WHERE IS THY STING?] This “Day of Atonement” (English translation) isn't Hanukkah, but it's the holiest day of the year, and a day to begin the new year with a fresh start.

When I was young, my mamala used to make her famous roast chicken before the fast and another one to break fast. We lived in a small town about 200 miles (round trip) from the nearest synagogue in Portland, Oregon. By the time services were over, and it was past sundown, we made it home around 8:00pm and started roasting a chicken we didn't actually eat until 10:00pm. It was a long day and we were all pretty hangry [Ed. note: A technical term.] by that point! 

​Although hardly traditional Jewish fare, this Mexican-marinated roast chicken is the perfect way to start the fast and it will be an easy and equally delicious meal to break fast. Best of all, I prepared everything ahead of time, so I didn't have to start the process after work.

A word about the marinade: you're probably thinking mayonnaise is an odd choice, but it's not. It works. The Best of Fine Cooking explains, "Mayonnaise is the perfect base for marinade as it takes the place of oil and keeps the marinade ingredients suspended. The lime juice cuts through the richness of the smoky chipotle and the beer adds depth of flavor."

The spice level is relatively mild, for my taste. If you like a bit more kick, like the BF and I do, add an additional ¼ - ⅓  cup of purée to the mayo.

Serve this chicken with anything! We made burrito bowls, but it's perfect served in a tortilla as a burrito or taco. Our side dishes included saffron rice, black beans, pickled red onions, avocados and a delectable cilantro vinaigrette that was so good, it will have its own blog entry very soon.

To all of my tribe, wishing you a meaningful Yom Kippur and an easy fast.

Adapted from: The Best of Fine Cooking, Mexican, 2018
Number of servings: 4-6

​Ingredients

• One 7-oz. can chipotles in adobo
• ½ medium white onion, coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup dark beer (such as Negra Modelo)
• ¼ cup packed fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 medium lime)
• Fine sea salt
• 1 cup mayonnaise; more as needed
• 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs

Directions

1. In a blender, purée the chipotles with adobo sauce until smooth. Add onion, beer, cilantro, lime juice and large pinch of salt to chipotles. Purée until smooth. 
2. Transfer mixture to a large nonreactive baking dish. Fold in the mayonnaise and ⅓ cup of the chipotle purée. If you like more of a spicy kick, add ¼ - ⅓ cup more purée. 
3. Refrigerate remaining purée for another use. It will keep in an airtight container for at least one month. 
4. Add the chicken to the marinade. Cover dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 and up to 4 hours.
5. Heat a gas grill to high or use a stove-top grill pan (as I did). Remove chicken from marinade and grill unil they have grill marks, about 4-6 minutes on each side. 
6. Let rest for 5 minutes, slice and serve.

NOTE: You can make the marinade ahead of time. Tightly covered, the marinade (with mayo) will keep in the refrigerator for up to two days.