Description
Chicken Marbella is a classic Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring juicy bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs marinated overnight in a flavorful blend of garlic, oregano, red wine vinegar, olives, prunes, and capers. Baked to perfection with a touch of brown sugar and white wine, this dish offers a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. Garnished with fresh parsley, it makes an impressive and delicious main course for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Marinade and Chicken
- 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
- Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, combine the minced garlic, dried oregano, kosher salt, black pepper, red wine vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers, and bay leaves. Add the chicken thighs and massage the marinade thoroughly under the skin of each thigh. Cover the bowl tightly and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to deeply penetrate the chicken.
- Arrange Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Remove the marinated chicken from the fridge and arrange the thighs in a single layer in a suitable baking dish. Spoon the remaining marinade evenly over the chicken pieces, ensuring the prunes, olives, capers, and their juices are distributed.
- Add Sugar and Wine: Sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the chicken to balance the acidity and add a subtle sweetness. Then, carefully pour the dry white wine around the chicken in the dish, taking care not to wash off the marinade from the chicken itself.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 to 50 minutes. Baste the chicken occasionally with the pan juices to keep it moist and flavorful. Check for doneness by ensuring the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C), ensuring it is safely cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Once cooked, transfer the chicken thighs to a serving platter, along with some of the prunes, olives, and capers from the pan. Discard the bay leaves and drizzle extra pan juices over the chicken for added flavor. Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley on top for a bright, fresh finish. Serve hot or at room temperature for a delightful meal.
Notes
- Marinating the chicken overnight is key to developing deep, complex flavors.
- Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs provide the most juicy and flavorful results.
- Light brown sugar balances the acidity of the vinegar and wine with a subtle sweetness.
- Basting during baking ensures the chicken stays moist and flavorful.
- Serving at room temperature enhances the taste and makes it great for entertaining.
- Remove bay leaves before serving to avoid any bitter flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes (plus overnight marinating)
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean, Italian
Keywords: Chicken Marbella, baked chicken thighs, Mediterranean chicken, prunes, olives, savory chicken recipe
