With a few strategic flavor moves, Chef de Cuisine Jorge Gutierrez transforms grilled chicken into a craveable signature dish at Lona Cocina & Tequileria, a modern Mexican restaurant. “The Chicken Poblano is a special dish because it is very simple, yet very flavorful,” he says. “It’s a great option for those who love chicken and traditional Mexican sauces. Compared to other dishes on our menu, it may not stand out at first. However, once it is served, our guests rave about it.”
Gutierrez takes a straightforward approach. He marinates the “suprema de pollo” (an airline chicken breast) in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper, then grills it until it’s juicy and tender. Mexican flavors come into play through the other elements on the plate. The accompanying béchamel sauce is flavored with roasted poblanos. The “papas rajas” are roasted Yukon gold potatoes tossed with rajas—roasted poblano strips—for full-bodied flavor with a bit of heat.