Ingredients

  • 8 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup raspberry or tarragon vinegar
  • 1 cup fresh lime juice (preferably Key or Mexican lime)
  • 4 canned chipotle chiles in adobo
  • 1 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/2 cup tamari
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt
  • 2 teaspoons ground black pepper
  • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
  • 4 1/2-lb chicken, cut into 8 pieces
  • 1 cup hulled (green) pumpkin seeds (5 oz), toasted
  • 1 cup slivered almonds (4 oz), toasted
  • 1 cup fresh fine bread crumbs
  • 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1/3 cup sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup vegetable oil
  • 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces

Method

  • Puree all marinade ingredients in a blender.
  • Transfer marinade to a large bowl and toss with chicken to coat.
  • Marinate chicken, covered and chilled, turning once, 8 to 12 hours.
  • Pulse pumpkin seeds and almonds separately in a food processor until pumpkin seeds are coarsely ground and almonds are finely ground (do not overprocess) and transfer to a large shallow bowl.
  • Whisk in bread crumbs, flour, sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon salt, and cayenne.
  • In another shallow bowl whisk together eggs and remaining teaspoon salt.
  • Preheat oven to 350F.
  • Remove chicken from marinade and pat dry with paper towels.
  • Dip 1 piece chicken in egg, letting excess drip off, then dredge in crumb coating, knocking off excess.
  • Transfer to a platter and repeat with remaining chicken.
  • Heat oil in a deep large skillet (preferably well-seasoned cast iron) over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then carefully add butter pieces.
  • When butter is melted, cook chicken in batches (adjust heat if necessary to prevent coating from getting too brown), turning, until golden brown, about 10 minutes total.
  • Transfer chicken as browned to a rack set in a shallow baking pan.
  • When all chicken is browned, bake in middle of oven until cooked through, about 30 minutes.