Brazilian Beer-Marinated Chicken

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Steven Raichlen flavors this speedy chicken dish with Xingu (a Brazilian black lager that has a distinctive colalike flavor), plus mustard and onion — evoking the classic combination of beer and bratwursts. "The marinade brings a lot of flavor to a meat that really needs it," he says.

By
Steven Raichlen
Steven Raichlen

Steven Raichlen is an award-winning culinary writer, lecturer, and TV host. Considered the foremost authority on modern barbecue, he has published 32 books, including international bestseller The Barbecue Bible, and hosted a handful of television shows.

Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines
Updated on June 27, 2019
Brazilian Beer-Marinated Chicken
Photo: © James Baigrie
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
30 mins
Yield:
4
Cook Mode (Keep screen awake)

Ingredients

  • 4 garlic cloves, smashed

  • 4 (1/4-inch) slices of peeled fresh ginger, smashed

  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced

  • 1 tablespoon sweet paprika

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1/2 teaspoon caraway seeds

  • 1/2 green bell pepper, finely chopped

  • 1/4 cup Dijon mustard

  • 2 cups dark lager or stout, preferably Xingu Black Beer (see Note)

  • 1/4 cup vegetable oil

  • 4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

  • Lime wedges, for serving

Directions

  1. In a shallow dish, mix the garlic, ginger, onion, paprika, salt, black pepper, caraway seeds, green pepper, mustard, beer and oil. Add the chicken, cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, turning a few times.

  2. Light a grill. Remove the chicken from the marinade and grill over high heat until nicely browned and just cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a platter and brush with the melted butter. Scatter the cilantro over the top and serve with lime wedges.

Note

Xingu Black Beer is an anise-scented, bittersweet black lager from Brazil. It's available in most states.

Suggested Pairing

Raichlen uses Brazilian lager in this dish, but stout is a fine substitute. Two great American stouts that will taste delicious with this chicken are the Samuel Adams Cream Stout, with its deep roasted-malt notes, and the espresso-scented Deschutes Obsidian Stout.

Originally appeared: June 2007

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