Roasted Chicken with Pumpkin Seed Salsa
INGREDIENTS
  • Cooking Time: 20
  • Servings: 6
  • Preparation Time: 15
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • One 5-pound chicken, cut into pieces (halve breasts crosswise if large)
  • 1 cup pepitas (peeled pumpkin seeds)
  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1 Fresno chile or jalapeno, seeded if desired and finely diced
  • 1/4 small red onion, finely diced
DIRECTIONS
  1. . Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Combine 2 tablespoons of the oil with the cumin, coriander, 2 teaspoons kosher salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl. Rub the spiced oil all over the chicken pieces and place on a foil-lined shallow-rimmed baking sheet. Roast until the chicken is golden brown and crisp and a thermometer inserted into the thickest parts registers 165 degrees F, about 45 minutes.
  2. 2. Meanwhile, toast the pepitas in a large dry skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop. Transfer to a medium bowl, add the cilantro, lime juice, chiles, onions, remaining 2 tablespoons oil and 3/4 teaspoon salt and toss together.
  3. 3. Arrange the chicken pieces on a platter and serve with the bowl of salsa on the side, accompanied by Mexican rice and black beans.
RECIPE BACKSTORY
Nutritional Info Calories: 431 Protein: 46 grams Carbohydrates: 4 grams Fat: 26 g