This homemade chicken deli recipe is all about simplicity and bold flavour. The chicken breast, seasoned with smoked salt and Montreal steak spice, delivers a rich, savoury aroma with a hint of smokiness, perfectly balanced by the robust blend of spices.
Keyword 4 ingredients, ham, sandwich
Cook Time 40 minutesminutes
Equipment
1 glass jar
Ingredients
2large chicken breast
1tspsmoked salt
2tspMontreal Steak Spice
1tbspcornstarch
Instructions
Blend the Ingredients:Place the cubed chicken breasts, cornstarch, smoked salt, and Montreal steak spice in a food processor.Pulse the mixture until it forms a smooth, thick paste. Make sure all the ingredients are well-combined.
Prepare the Jar:Transfer the blended chicken mixture into a clean, heatproof glass jar (like a Mason jar).Pack the mixture tightly, pressing it down to remove any air pockets. Leave about 2 inch of space at the top of the jar.
Add the Weight:To ensure the chicken stays compact while cooking, place something heavy on top of the chicken mixture inside the jar.You can use ceramic pie weights, or put cleaned, small stones inside a sealed plastic bag and place it on top of the chicken mixture. This will help keep the mixture pressed down during cooking.
Cook the Chicken:Screw the lid on loosely, or cover the jar with foil if using a lid is not an option.Place the jar in a pot with enough water to reach about halfway up the sides of the jar.Bring the water to a gentle simmer over low heat, making sure it does not boil vigorously. Keep the fire at the lowest setting to maintain a low simmer. Cook for 40 minutes, occasionally checking that the water remains at a gentle simmer.
Cool, Chill, and Slice:Carefully remove the jar from the pot and let it cool to room temperature.Place the jar in the refrigerator for at least 2-3 hours (or overnight) to allow the chicken to firm up completely.Once chilled, remove the weighted object and carefully take the chicken loaf out of the jar.Slice thinly for deli-style chicken slices.
Notes
Serving Suggestions:
Perfect for sandwiches and wraps.
Adds protein to salads or snack plates with cheese and crackers.
Storage:
Store the chicken deli slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.This pressing method gives the chicken a compact texture, making it easier to slice thinly. The seasoning infuses throughout the meat during the gentle cooking, resulting in a flavorful, homemade deli-style chicken that rivals store-bought options.