Blackened Chicken with Pineapple-Cucumber Salsa
Serves 4.
Note: The key to cooking blackened boneless chicken breasts successfully is managing the heat level: too low and the chicken will exude moisture that prevents browning; too high and the spice rub will burn before the meat has a chance to cook through. For the rub, we chose a robust combination of ingredients: coriander, ground ginger, garlic powder, allspice and cayenne, plus a tablespoon of brown sugar — enough to sweeten and caramelize without burning. Tangy pineapple and cooling cucumber created a fruity salsa that balanced the rub's sharp, bold flavors, perfectly complementing the spicy chicken. From "The Chicken Bible" (America's Test Kitchen, 2021).
• 2 c. (1/2‑in.) pineapple pieces
• 1/2 c. peeled cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into 1/2‑in. pieces
• 1 small shallot, minced
• 1 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded and minced
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh mint
• 1 tbsp. lime juice