1 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon tumeric
1-1/4 pound boneless, skinless California chicken thighs
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 small yams, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 hot pepper (such as jalapeno), seeded and chopped
2 teaspoons mustard seeds
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup honey
8-10 fresh California Figs, quartered
4 cups hot cooked cous cous or rice
1/4 cup sliced almonds

In bowl, mix salt, cumin, cinnamon and tumeric. Toss chicken with spice mixture. Heat olive oil and butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook until browned on all sides.
Remove chicken; set aside. Add onion, yams, garlic, hot pepper and mustard seeds to skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Return chicken to skillet. Stir in broth, honey and figs. Cover; simmer until yams are tender and chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. If desired, season with salt and pepper. Serve over cous cous or rice. Sprinkle with almonds.

Makes 4 servings.

Sharon Frick, Peoria, AZ
2004 Second Place
Chicken with an Ethnic Twist Category

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1-1/2 cups each sliced red and yellow bell pepper
1-1/2 cups sliced yellow onion
1 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
4-6 slices Foster Farms Thin-Sliced Chicken Breast Fillets
4 ounces sliced Real California Mozzarella Cheese®
4 Kaiser rolls, split
4 ounces soft herbed goat cheese
1 bunch arugula, rinsed
6 fresh California Figs, cut into thin rounds

In large skillet over medium heat, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add bell pepper, onion, ½ teaspoon of the salt and ¼ teaspoon of the pepper. Sauté until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Remove vegetables to bowl; toss with vinegar and set aside.

Sprinkle chicken slices with remaining salt and pepper. Add remaining oil to skillet or a grill pan. Sauté chicken 2 minutes; turn and top with mozzarella cheese slice. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 2 minutes longer. Toast rolls under broiler. Spread cut sides of rolls with goat cheese. Top with arugula leaves, chicken, fig slices and onion/pepper mixture. Add roll tops.

Makes 4 servings.

Honey Pear Salsa
1-1/2 cups diced fresh California Bartlett Pears
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onion
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Cakes
2/3 cup panko breadcrumbs, divided
1/4 cup chopped red onion
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1-1/2 teaspoons minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups finely chopped cooked California chicken
2/3 cup shredded sharp Real California Cheddar Cheese®

2 tablespoons canola oil

In medium bowl, combine all salsa ingredients; mix well.

In large bowl, combine 1/3 cup of breadcrumbs, onion, cilantro, chipotle, mayonnaise, egg and salt; stir until well blended. Add chicken and cheese; mix until evenly coated. Form mixture into 8 patties, each 1/2-inch thick. Coat with remaining breadcrumbs.

In large nonstick skillet over medium heat, heat oil until hot. Add chicken patties, in batches if necessary. Cook until golden brown, turning once, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Serve with salsa.

Makes 4 servings.

Priscilla Yee, Concord, CA
2004 Grand Prize
Chicken with an Ethnic Twist

2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
2 pounds sweet onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
2 teaspoons freshly cracked black pepper, divided
1 teaspoon dried thyme, divided
4 boneless, skinless California Chicken Breasts, pounded ¼-inch thick
1/2 cup Real California Ricotta Cheese®
3 tablespoons grated Real California Parmesan Cheese®
1/3 cup dried apricots (about 2 ounces), chopped
1/4 cup flour
1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
In large skillet over medium heat add 1 tablespoon each oil and butter. Stir in onions. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and ½ teaspoon each salt, pepper and thyme; stir. Cover and cook 20-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Onions are done when browned and jam-like consistency. Remove skillet from heat; reserve.

Meanwhile, season both sides of chicken with 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper. In small bowl, mix ricotta, Parmesan cheese and remaining thyme. Spread about one quarter of cheese mixture on each breast. Equally divide apricots on one half of the long side of the chicken breast. Fold in sides and roll up jelly-roll style; secure with string or toothpicks.

On a plate, mix flour and remaining salt and pepper. Dust each chicken roll with flour, removing excess. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium high heat; add 1 tablespoon oil. Once oil is hot, brown chicken rolls on all sides, about 1 minute per side. Place skillet in oven, bake chicken about 20-25 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. When done, remove skillet from oven and place chicken on platter; tent with foil to keep warm. Stir broth into caramelized onion; cook over high heat until thickened. Stir in remaining butter. Pour caramelized onion sauce over chicken. Serve immediately.

Makes 4 servings.

1 whole California chicken, (4 to 5 pounds)
2 fresh California peaches, peeled and pits removed, coarsely chopped
1 cup chopped sweet onion
1/4 cup lightly packed chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon fresh minced jalapeno
1/2 teaspoon kosher or sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons peach jam
2 tablespoons tequila (can substitute brandy or peach schnapps)
1 tablespoon olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Rinse and dry chicken. Loosen skin on breast and thighs by slipping fingers under edge. Finely chop 1/2 cup of the peach chunks; slip under entire breast and thigh skin. Place chicken on a rack in a roasting pan. Mix remaining peaches, onion, cilantro and jalapeno; place inside chicken cavity. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Mix jam, tequila and olive oil and brush over chicken. Place roasting pan in oven and roast about 20 minutes per pound, or until done. (Thermometer should read 180 degrees F. at deepest part of thigh.) Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes.

6 servings.

Third Place, Chicken with an Ethnic Twist
Developed by: Mickey Strang, McKinleyville, California

1 box (7 ounces) black bean and rice mixture
4 ounces Spanish chorizo, casing removed and crumbled
5 ounces grated Monterey Jack cheese, divided
4 boneless, skinless California chicken breasts
1 California Roma tomato, sliced into 8 pieces
1 ripe plantain, peeled and sliced to 1/4″ thickness
olive oil, as needed
1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
1 California avocado, quartered and sliced

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Prepare rice and bean mixture according to package directions. While rice is cooking, fry crumbled chorizo in frying pan until crisp and pieces are small; drain on paper towel. Wipe fry pan clean. Place chorizo in small bowl and mix with 4 ounces Jack cheese. Set aside. Cut into the fattest side of each chicken breast making a “packet”, making sure to not cut all the way through. Stuff each breast with an equal amount of chorizo mix; press firmly to close or secure with toothpicks. Place breasts in 9×9-inch baking pan. Place two tomato slices on each breast and sprinkle remaining 1 ounce cheese over top of all. Bake for 25 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, heat enough olive oil in the bottom of the fry pan, about half-way up a plantain slice. Heat oil over high heat. Place plantain slices in hot oil and fry for two minutes per side, until slightly crispy and browned. Remove from oil, drain on paper towels; sprinkle with sugar.

When chicken is done, divide bean and rice mixture among four dinner plates and place a breast on each of the mounds. Garnish with fried plantains and avocado slices.
4 servings.

Second Place, Chicken with an Ethnic Twist Category
Developed by: Suzanne Finne, Saugus, California

Mango-Peach Marmalade
1 fresh mango, peeled and diced
2 fresh California peaches, peeled and diced
1/4 cup sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons minced jalapeno
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 eggs
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1-1/4 pounds California chicken breast tenders
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
cilantro sprigs, for garnish

To make marmalade, combine mango, peaches, sugar, jalapeno, lemon juice and vinegar in small saucepan. Simmer over medium-low heat 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and stir in cilantro. Set aside.

Combine flour, salt, ginger and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish. In small bowl, whisk eggs with soy sauce. In another shallow dish, combine coconut and panko crumbs. Dredge chicken in flour mixture, dip in egg mixture, then coat with coconut mixture, pressing to adhere. Heat oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and saute 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Garnish with cilantro and serve with Mango-Peach Marmalade.

Makes 6 appetizer servings or 4 main dish servings

Grand Prize, Chicken with an Ethnic Twist Category
Developed by: Kristine Snyder, Kihei, Hawaii

1/2 pound ground California chicken
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons plain breadcrumbs
1 egg, lightly beaten
1-1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon flat leaf parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, minced (or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried)
1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or ½ teaspoon dried)
1-1/2 teaspoons coarse salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper, divided
1/4 teaspoon hot red pepper flakes, crushed
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 pound soba noodles
1 can (32 ounces) chicken broth
1-1/2 cups water
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
thyme sprigs for garnish

In a medium bowl, combine chicken, onion, breadcrumbs, egg, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, thyme, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper and red pepper flakes. Mix until well blended. Shape chicken mixture into 1-inch balls placing meatballs on a rimmed baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap; freeze until firm, about 2-1/2 hours.

When ready to cook, remove meatballs from freezer and let stand at room temperature until slight soft on outside, about 20 minutes. In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat; add meatballs. Cook, stirring occasionally, until well browned and almost cooked through. Transfer meatballs to paper towel-lined plate to drain. Meanwhile, cook, drain and rinse soba noodles according to package directions; set aside.

Place chicken broth, water, carrots and celery in large shallow saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat; season with remaining salt and black pepper. Add meatballs. Reduce heat to medium-low; simmer until meatballs are cooked through, about 10 minutes. Add cooked noodles to broth mixture; cover and set aside. To serve, spoon four or five meatballs into 4 soup bowls; ladle broth and noodle mixture equally over top of meatballs. Garnish with thyme sprigs. Serve immediately.
4 servings.

Third Prize, Chicken Traditions with Flair Category
Developed by: Betty Jean Nichols, Eugene, Oregon

4 boneless, skinless California chicken breasts
1/2 cup olive oil, divided
1 can (15-1/4 ounce) Bartlett pears, juice reserved; pears cut into 1/2-inch chunks
4 tablespoons minced garlic, divided
4 tablespoons each fresh chopped basil, Italian parsley, cilantro, oregano, rosemary, chives, thyme, divided
4 teaspoons sea salt, divided
coarse corn meal, as needed
1 loaf frozen yeast bread, thawed
1-1/2 cups Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1-1/2 cups each shredded fontina, Asiago and mozzarella cheeses

Marinate chicken in 1/4 cup olive oil, juice from canned Bartlett pears, 2 tablespoons garlic, 2 tablespoons each of chopped herbs and 2 teaspoons salt for one hour. Remove from marinade and grill about 5-7 minutes per side, or until done. Let cool; cut into 1-inch pieces.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Sprinkle 12 to 14-inch pizza pan or stone with coarse corn meal. Roll thawed dough into a 12 to 14-inch circle and transfer to pan. Mix Gorgonzola, fontina, Asiago and mozzarella cheeses with remaining olive oil, garlic, herbs and salt. Spread cheese mixture over dough. Top with chopped chicken and pears. Bake 20-25 minutes, until pizza is done and browned on bottom.

Second Place, Chicken Traditions with Flair
Developed by: Linda Young, Petaluma, California

1 tablespoon butter
2 fresh firm California Bartlett Pears, cored and sliced into wedges
dash salt and pepper
2 tablespoons Grand Marnier
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound Foster Farms Fast Favorites Grilled Chicken Breast strips, refrigerated
1 package (5 ounces) spring mix salad greens
1/4 cup bottled raspberry vinaigrette
1/2 cup walnut halves
1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Heat butter in large skillet over medium heat until melted. Add pears; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Cook pears 8 minutes or until golden and caramelized. Add Grand Marnier and heat through. Remove from heat; cool. Meanwhile, combine Gorgonzola, mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, cayenne pepper and black pepper in medium bowl. Reserve 1/2 cup dressing. Add chicken strips to remaining dressing; toss well to coat.

To assemble salad, toss mixed greens with vinaigrette. Transfer greens to a serving platter or individual plates. Top with caramelized pears and chicken. Sprinkle with walnuts. Garnish with raspberries. Serve with reserved Gorgonzola dressing.
4 servings.

Grand Prize, Chicken Traditions with Flair Category
Developed by: Kathleen Johnson, Ellensburg, Washington