Cilantro chicken is often a main course of a meal, combining chicken with cilantro, an herb that is also called Chinese parsley or coriander leaves. The cilantro can be cooked with the chicken in many ways, such as a marinade or a pesto. This dish can provide many health benefits, both through the consumption of the cilantro and the chicken. Although cilantro chicken is a popular dish, many people do not enjoy the flavor of cilantro, making it a dish that should be cooked only after the chef inquires into the personal preferences of her guests.
One of the most popular methods of cooking cilantro chicken is through a marinade. The cilantro can be combined with any number of ingredients, such as lime juice, lemon juice, tequila, and honey. The pieces of chicken can then be added to the marinade for several hours or longer. After the chicken has soaked up the flavor of the marinade, it can be grilled, baked, or fried.
Some people may prefer to have their cilantro added to a dry rub. For example, the cilantro can be added a wide range of ingredients, such as paprika, garlic, pepper, or salt. For a sweeter version of cilantro chicken, the cilantro can be added to brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and clove. The dish can also be made quite spicy with cayenne pepper, garlic, cumin, and onion powder.
Another popular way to create cilantro chicken is to use the cilantro as a pesto. The cilantro can be added to a blender or food processor, along with olive oil, Parmesan cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper. When the mixture is pureed, it can simply be placed on top of the chicken and baked. In the alternative, the pesto can be added to sliced chicken, after it has been cooked.
Cilantro chicken has many health benefits, particularly if the lean breast meat of the chicken is used. The chicken provides protein for people's bones and muscles. The cilantro provides iron and magnesium. In addition, it is helpful for digestion issues, arthritis, and infections of the urinary track. It also is thought to prevent food borne illnesses, such as those from the bacterium salmonella. Research has indicated that it may be responsible for reducing cholesterol levels as well.
All individuals do not share equal appreciation for the flavor of cilantro. As a result cilantro chicken may not be a dish for everyone. Some individuals claim that the herb smells similar to bed bugs, soap, or lotion. Researchers believe that these initial negative responses can be overcome, but it may take time. For those who want to try cilantro chicken, some people claim that if the leaves are crushed, the pungent smell becomes milder and more tolerable.