Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella, a savory chicken main dish with vibrant flavors of prunes, olives, capers and oregano. It tastes as delicious as it looks and is easy, mess-free to make; as easy as - marinate, bake.
Chicken Marbella, a delicious savory chicken bake with chicken marinated with vibrant flavors of prunes, olives, capers, oregano and red wine vinegar and then baked topped with little brown sugar. The aroma of chicken cooking with prunes, olives, sugar and garlic makes everyone look forward to the dinner.
This savory chicken bake needs only 10 minutes of prep. Gluten free, Dairy Free.
Chicken Marbella
Chicken Marbella is a Spanish and Moroccan fusion dish made of chicken cooked with prunes, olives, capers and white wine.
The history of Chicken Marbella goes back to 1977. Recipe I'm sharing first appeared in 1977 in Manhattan, New Yok, in a small take-away shop The Silver Palate. Owned and operated by Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins, this catering company became a huge success. Sheila Lukins is credited for creating a marvelous Spanish and Moroccan inspired dish Chicken Marbella which was first main-course dish in their take-away menu.
The Chicken Marbella recipe later appeared in "The Silver Palate Cookbook" co-authored by Sheila and Julee. According to the cookbook and I quote
"Chicken Marbella was the first main-course dish to be offered at the Silver Palate Shop, and the distinct colors and flavors of the prunes, olives, and capers have kept it a favorite for years. It is good hot or at room temperature."
Chicken Marbella (ready to slide in oven)
Here is a picture of marinated Chicken Marbella with colors of prunes and olives; gorgeous shine of light brown sugar; ready to slide in the oven. (yum!)
Cookbook gave many chefs and cooks around the world an opportunity to try Chicken Marbella at home. I first learned to make Chicken Marbella from Ina Garden. Later also from Andrew Zimmerman. The story about a take-way shop in Manhattan was so fascinating that I later bought the book and have tried many recipes from it since then.
This recipe for Chicken Marbella is adapted and updated Chicken Marbella from The Silver Palate Cookbook. Here is what I did differently:
- Original recipe calls for 4 whole Chicken. We are a small family. Since beginning, I've been making 1/4th to 1/2 recipe of Chicken Marbella. So for today's recipe, I made Chicken Marbella suitable for a family 4 or 2 (with a portion for lunch). Used skin-on, bone-in legs instead of whole chicken.
- To have extra sauce (flavored with pan drippings of cooked chicken, white wine and garlic) to pour over chicken and mop with bread, I add a little bit of chicken stock with white wine. It keeps chicken moist and makes enough sauce to serve on the side. Specially important when making 1/4thof the recipe. When making 1/2 or full it is not required.
- Instead of Spanish Olives, I go for pitted mixed California olives. This saves me a market trip as always keep a small pet container of pitted olives in refrigerator for afternoon snack craving. All I'm saying is, use pitted olives you can find. I only recommend to go for water packed olives instead of oil packed.
Recipe doubles easily. Feel free to make as much as you want.
What Do You Need To Make Chicken Marbella?
The main ingredients for Chicken Marbella are chicken, prunes, olives, capers and oregano. These not only make a colorful presentation but are laces with flavor when cooked with chicken.
Here is the list of ingredients for Chicken Marbella:
- Whole Chicken Legs or Thighs
- Prunes
- Olives
- Capers
- Garlic
- Oregano
- Brown Sugar
- Red White Vinegar
- White Wine
I highly recommend using the skin-on chicken. Skin picks up so much flavor from the marinade. Plus skin gets savory delicious when cooks in the oven topped with brown sugar.
Complete ingredient list with quantity is included with the Recipe Card. You can also Print the recipe.
Cooking Chicken Marbella
When Chicken Marbella cooks in the oven, the flavor of oregano cooked with marinated chicken and white wine perfumes the kitchen with a delicious aroma.
By using chicken thighs or whole legs (can use quartered chicken), Chicken Marbella becomes more approachable for weeknights or Sunday super. Making this dish is simply a two step process:
- Marinate the Chicken with delicious marinade of garlic, oregano, olive oil, vinegar, capers, olives and prunes overnight. At-least for 4 hours up-to 24 hours.
- Before cooking, transfer to rimmed baking sheet or dutch oven with all the marinade and white wine (and chicken stock). Bake topped with brown sugar. Transfer chicken to platter and serve sauce on the side.
Note: For best results, don't forget to baste chicken with juices collected at the bottom. I baste 2-3 times, every 15-20 minutes with turkey baster.
Recipe doubles easily. If cooking for a crowd or serving to family for Sunday dinner, I make sure to marinate Chicken Marbella a day before. Two hours before serving, I proceed to slide chicken in the oven for an hour or so to cook. Remaining time is perfect to arrange chicken on an oven safe platter and let it rest. Reheat is slightly before serving. Serve pan sauce for table side serving.
What to Serve with Chicken Marbella (10 Side Dishes)
A Chicken Roast this delicious calls for complimenting sides dishes. Lightly seasoned (olive oi, garlic, parmesan) angel-hair pasta, creamy risotto or a spinach salad is our all time favorite sides for Chicken Marbella.
Here is the list of 10 side dishes which compliment Chicken Marbella.
- Garlic Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower or Mashed Potatoes.
- Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls
- Lemon Olive Pasta or Buttered Noodles
- Spinach Salad (as shown in picture below)
- Brown Rice
- Creamy Risotto
- Grilled or Roasted Vegetables Salad
- Mustard Potato Salad
- Roasted Asparagus
- Ratatouille
Tip: Leftovers of Chicken Marbella (if I get lucky to save some) are perfect for lunch as-is or shredded on a romaine salad/sandwich.
Chicken Marbella - My favorite chicken dish to make-ahead for a picnic, and to bring to friends, family or new neighbors that need a meal. The flavor of Chicken Marbella improves even better the second day. This travels well, and freezes well.
I hope you will get chance to try Chicken Marbella. I'm sure you will love the flavor. Happy Cooking!
More Side Dish Ideas
Chicken Marbella
(25 reviews)
Ingredients
Chicken MarbellaDirections
- 1. Marinate Chicken: In a large bowl, mix all ingredients for marinade i.e. olives, capers, prunes, garlic, bay leaves, oregano, olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Add chicken. Mix to coat in marinade. Cover and refrigerate at-least 4 hours - overnight. See Note 1.
- 2. Preheat Oven: On day of cooking, set oven to preheat at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 3. Prep Chicken for Baking: In an oven proof rimmed baking dish or wide Dutch oven, place chicken legs, skin side up. Spoon olives and prunes on the side. Mix white wine and stock in marinade left in the bowl. Pour on the sides. Sprinkle sugar on top of the chicken pieces.
- 4. Bake Chicken: Place in oven to bake for 45-55 minutes. Every 15-20 minutes spoon juices from the sides and drizzle over the chicken. Continue baking until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with fork.
- 5. Garnish and Serve: Transfer cooked chicken pieces to a serving platter. Spoon cooked olive and prunes on the side. Spoon soon marinade on top and serve remaining on the side. Before serving, garnish chicken with fresh chopped herbs such as parsley.
Savita's Notes:
- Marinating infuses chicken with lots of flavor. Highly recommended. Silver Plate cookbook recommends minimum overnight marinate. For chicken thighs or whole legs, I marinate for at-least 4 hours up-to 24 hours.
- For recipe, I used skin-on, bone-in whole legs. Chicken Thighs or quartered chicken will also work great.
- Recipe doubles easily. Only make sure to not double the chicken stock unless you want extra sauce to serve with rice.
- Chicken Marbella travels well and is perfect to serve at room temperature for summer picnic or potlucks.
- The flavor of Chicken Marbella improves even better the second day. Cooked Chicken Marbella stays good in refrigerator for 3-4 days and also freezes well.
- Try with Garlic Brown Rice or Mashed Cauliflower on the side.
- For best results, don't forget to baste chicken with juices collected at the bottom. I baste 2-3 times, every 15-20 minutes with turkey baster. This way chicken cooks moist, flavorful and evenly delicious.
- Serve additional pan juices on the side. It is delicious with steamed white/brown rice. Check more side dish ideas in the post above the Recipe Card.
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27 Responses
Molly Kumar
Wow, the chicken looks so juicy and such a delicious treat. Would be perfect for a family brunch.Hayley
Ive never heard of this recipe, it looks flavourful and ideal for small get-together. Loving the addition of dried prunes here.Eden
Love, love, LOVE this recipe. The flavors are so perfectly complex but the chicken is so easy to make. A keeper!Carrie
Such a great combination of flavors happening here! :) I love the contrast of the sweetness from the prunes with the saltiness from the olives.Krysten
The olives and white wine are my favorite combination and they pair perfectly in this chicken marbella recipe. Delicious for weeknight dinner or date night for two.Moop Brown
I like to cook chicken for Sunday dinner and this looks like a really tasty recipe and like a perfect dinner entree.Jacqueline
Im crazy about this chicken recipe and have started making it really often. Easy, delicious and the family love it too!Amy Liu Dong
The chicken looks juicy and the flavor profile that is sweet, savory, and salty might be the best combination ever!Lauren
What a delicious chicken recipe this was! I hadnt made a recipe like this before, but it turned out fantastic and I will be saving it to make again.Juyali
I am a fan of capers and olives, so this recipe is right up my alley. This time, I wanted to make chicken in a different way, so I searched and searched for something unique. And I found this. It was easy and so flavorful. My new favorite chicken recipe. Thank you!Tayler
I made this chicken for dinner last night and it was fantastic! So flavorful and the whole family loved it!Andrea
Im intrigued by the flavors in this chicken dish. Prunes, olives and capers sound fabulous together. Looking forward to trying this.Dana
Absolutely obsessed with these flavors! The briny capers and olives really add so much flavor. SO good!Ned
I love chicken and this has such amazing flavor! Thank you!Dannii
Anything with olives and capers is good with me. This chicken looks amazing.Gus
just finished cooking this chicken for lunch and it is fantastic! thank you!Gina
Prunes, olives and capers? SOLD! This was an outstanding chicken dish with great flavor and love the unexpected ingredients. Can’t say Ive ever paired prunes with chicken before but it was so delicious to have that sweet pop of flavor with the briny capers and olives.Heidy
This chicken Marbella recipe turned out fantastic. It was a cinch to make following your excellent instructions and tips. This recipe will become part of our dinner rotation. My husband and children loved it.Claudia Lamascolo
Delicious looks. I bet it’s flavorful and sounds so easy make. Thanks for the recipe.Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Love all the ingredients, can’t wait to try this! It looks so delicious and easy!Natalie
Wow this looks so delicious. What a combo of flavors. Yum! I'm adding this recipe to my dinner list. Thanks!Savita
Thanks 🙌Heidy
This Chicken Marbella was excelelent tasting! Very flavorful and juicy! A must-keep recipe!Cara
Absolutely loved the flavors of olives and prunes in this dish. Delicious, and a total hit in our house.Beth
I love all the rich flavors in this dish. Recipes like this are why I love making chicken so much. I'll be making this tomorrow.Tavo
This chicken was so good! I loved the sweet and sour touch from the prunes!Savita
Thanks for the feedback.