Bacon Wrapped Yerbe Matte Chicken
INGREDIENTS
Yerba Matte Tea Brine
3 Cups of Hot Water
2 TBSP Yerba Matte Tea
1/2 Sweet onion, diced
1/2 Large Navel Orange, juice and zest
1/2-2 oz of Fresh Thyme, still on sprigs
4 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Fresno Chile or Jalapeno rough chopped
2 Whole Cloves
2 Tbsp Kosher Salt
Bacon Wrapped Chicken
8 Pieces of Bone in Chicken Legs
8 pieces of Thick Cut Bacon
16 tooth picks
Honey Yerba Matte Tea Glaze
1 cup of brining liquid
1 1/2 tsp Honey
1 Tbsp butter
Salt To Taste
DIRECTIONS
Yerba Matte Tea Brine
Combine all ingredients with hot water in a large bowl or heat safe container that can hold both the liquid and all of the chicken. Reserve a few sprigs of thyme for garnish.
let sit at room temperature until brining liquid as cooled to room temperature.
Add Chicken to liquid, cover with sealable lid and or plastic wrap. Let chicken sit in brine for a minimum of 4 Hours.
NEXT LEVEL TIP:
Add the Orange peel to the brine, the oils will add to the brine and will ultimately give a stronger orange flavor without the acidity keeping the flavors bright and refreshing even after being wrapped in bacon and grilled.
Bacon Wrapped Yerba Matte Tea Brine
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and turn on cast iron grill or griddle to medium high heat. (if using a bbq you want the overall heat of the grill to be around 400-450 degrees Fahrenheit, as well as a “cooler” side of the grill to reduce direct heat.)
Remove chicken from brining liquid and pat dry with a paper towel. wrap each chicken with a slice of bacon. Secure bacon to chicken with two toothpicks.
Place chicken on hot grill or griddle and about cook 12 minutes, about 3 minutes each side.
Remove from grill and place on cooking try and put in oven for 15-20 min or until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 Degrees Fahrenheit. If cooking on grill or BBQ move to “cooler side of grill and cook 15-20, be sure to rotate chicken occasioanly to ensure even cooking.
NEXT LEVEL TIP:
Let chicken marinade over night, the longer that it can be in the brining liquid the better the flavor as well as the juicier the chicken will be.
Yerba Matte Honey Glaze
While chicken is cooking on grill measure 1 cup of brine, and strain, combine with honey in a small sauce pan, bring to a boi over medium heat.
Reduce heat to bring liquid to a simmer, and reduce by 3/4.
Once reduced whisk in butter, and salt to taste.
Pour glaze over chicken when it first comes out of the oven or off of the grill, and garnish with reserved fresh thyme.
Make sure to share your tacos on Instagram, tag me @chef.scotthamilton, and use the Hashtags #chroniclesofachef or #inspiringmyinnerfoodie. If you have any questions along the way, please reach out to me!