Name: Smothered Chicken With Cheesy Polenta
Total time: 2 ½ hours
Yield: 4–6 servings
Ingredients: 7 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ cup plus 1¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt; 2 Tbsp. paprika; 1 Tbsp. smoked paprika; 1 Tbsp. ground coriander; 1 Tbsp. ground cumin; 1½ tsp. sugar; 3 lb. skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 8), excess fat trimmed; ½ cup vegetable oil; 1 Tbsp. cayenne pepper; 1 Tbsp. paprika; 1 Tbsp. light or dark brown sugar; ½ tsp. chili powder; ½ tsp. garlic powder; 1 tsp. Diamond Crystal or ½ tsp. Morton kosher, plus more; 1 bunch parsley, leaves with tender stems picked; ½ bunch mint, leaves picked; 4 scallions, thinly sliced; 2 garlic cloves, finely grated; Zest and juice of ½ lemon; 6 oz. guanciale, finely chopped; 6 oz. pancetta, finely chopped; 10 oz. spicy Italian sausage; ¼ medium white onion, finely chopped; 1 bay leaf; 1½ tsp. five-spice powder; 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper; ¼ tsp. ground allspice; ¼ tsp. ground coriander; ¼ tsp. ground cumin; 4 cups low-sodium beef broth

Smothered chicken with cheesy polenta in a pink bowl on a dark green picnic table

The Smothered Chicken at Rosie's.Photograph by Isa Zapata

This dish from Rosie’s in Miami takes cues from chef Akino West’s mother’s fried chicken, featuring a hot-and-sweet spiced oil for added dimension, drizzled over crispy thighs. Instead of the usual mashed potatoes, West saddles the chicken over cheesy polenta, then drenches the pair in a brothy gravy, combining pancetta and guanciale for exceptional depth. A bright gremolata tops the dish for a burst of freshness.

At the restaurant, this dish is served with pickled mustard seeds for added crunch. He even makes his own beef stock from scratch but store-bought works here too. Chef believes in keeping the carbon footprint small and sourcing locally from like-minded people. He recommends using this beef stock from Brodo and spice blends from TTSpices in a pinch.

What you’ll need

Deep-Fry Thermometer
$17 At Amazon
Large Saucepan
$75 At Amazon
Dutch Oven
$100 At Amazon
Wooden Spoon
$9 At Amazon
Whisk
$14 At Amazon
Large Pot
$65 At Amazon
Tongs
$18 $14 At Amazon

Recipe notes

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