Dinner

Chicken Marbella Recipe

ByMariam Harutyunyan September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

Introduction

Chicken Marbella is a flavorful dish that combines savory chicken with a unique blend of sweet, tangy, and briny ingredients. Originating from the Silver Palate Cookbook, it’s perfect for a dinner party or a special family meal. The overnight marinade ensures tender, juicy chicken infused with complex flavors.

The image shows a white bowl filled with three large pieces of roasted chicken thighs with golden-brown and shiny skin, some parts slightly charred dark brown to black. Surrounding and partly under the chicken are many sliced green olives and dark black prunes, mixed with small green capers. Fresh chopped green herbs are sprinkled over the chicken and olives, adding a bright touch of color. The bowl is set on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 cloves garlic (minced)
1 1/2 tablespoons dried oregano

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt (plus more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 cup pitted prunes (quartered)
1/3 cup pitted green olives (halved)
1/4 cup capers (with 1 tablespoon juice)

3 bay leaves
12 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
5 tablespoons light brown sugar (lightly packed)

1/2 cup dry white wine
Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, red wine vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers with their juice, and bay leaves.

Step 2: Add the chicken thighs to the bowl and massage the marinade gently under the skin to ensure flavor absorption. Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to meld.
Step 3: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the marinated chicken in a single layer in a baking dish.
Step 4: Spoon the remaining marinade evenly over the chicken, then sprinkle the light brown sugar on top.

Step 5: Pour the dry white wine around the chicken, taking care not to wash off the marinade. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes, occasionally basting with pan juices, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
Step 6: Remove the bay leaves from the dish. Transfer the chicken along with some prunes, olives, and capers to a serving platter.
Step 7: Drizzle extra pan juices over the chicken and garnish with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot or at room temperature.

Tips & Variations

For a lighter version, you can substitute chicken breasts, but adjust baking time accordingly to avoid drying out.
Soaking the prunes in a splash of white wine before adding them to the marinade can enhance their flavor and juiciness.
Use fresh oregano if available for an even more fragrant marinade.

This dish pairs well with couscous, rice, or roasted vegetables to soak up the delicious sauce.

Storage

Store any leftover Chicken Marbella in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The flavors often deepen after a day, making leftovers even tastier.

How to Serve

The dish shows three browned chicken thighs with crispy, dark charred spots on top, layered over a mix of sliced green olives and mushrooms, with whole prunes and capers scattered around. Fresh green chopped herbs are sprinkled on top, adding bright color contrast to the rich browns and greens of the ingredients. The food sits in a white, shallow, rustic-style oval bowl. In the background, there is a clear jar of dark liquid and a smaller white bowl filled with more green olives, all placed on a white marbled surface. A beige and striped cloth napkin is slightly visible near the top right corner. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare Chicken Marbella without marinating overnight?

While overnight marinating yields the best flavor and tenderness, you can marinate for at least 2 hours in a pinch. The longer the chicken marinates, the more pronounced the flavors will be.

Can this recipe be made gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as all ingredients used do not contain gluten. Just ensure your kosher salt and any packaged ingredients are certified gluten-free if you have a sensitivity.