Brazilian chicken bucket

Ingredients

For 4 servings

• •450 g skinless, boneless free-range chicken thighs or breasts
• •1 onion
• •2 cloves of garlic
• •2 -3 tablespoons cheiro verde (equal quantities of chopped flat-leaf parsley and spring onion)
• •5 c. à soupe fresh lime juice
• •125 g plain flour
• •1 c. à café baking powder
• •2 c. à café tempero baiano seasoning
• •1 large baking potato (about 100g)
• •vegetable oil, for deep frying
• •1 sprig of fresh flat-leaf parsley
• •chilli mayonnaise

Method

1. 1.Cut the chicken into 3cm pieces, then place in a large bowl.
2. 2.Peel and finely chop the onion and garlic, then add to the chicken along with the cheiro verde and lime juice.
3. 3.Season with a pinch of sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Toss to coat and leave to marinate for 20 to 30 minutes (or cover and chill for a couple of hours).
4. 4.Put the flour, baking powder and tempero baiano seasoning in a large bowl and mix well.
5. 5.Peel the potato, then finely grate it over the bowl using a mandolin. The pieces should be as fine as matchsticks. Mix the potatoes with the flour until evenly coated.
6. 6.Heat the oil in a deep-fat fryer to about 180°C/350°F.
7. 7.Add the potato and flour mixture to the bowl of marinated chicken and mix well.
8. 8.Fry the chicken in batches, making sure each piece is well coated with the potato matchsticks and batter. Fry each batch for 2 to 3 minutes, then turn it over and cook until both sides are evenly browned and crisp. Remove and drain on kitchen paper. Keep warm while frying the remaining chicken.
9. 9.Finely chop the parsley, and sprinkle over the chicken with a pinch of salt. Serve hot, with chilli mayonnaise on the side.