Chicken Marbella Recipe | ChefDeHome.com (2024)

Chicken Marbella, a delicious savory chicken bake with chicken marinated with vibrant flavors of prunes, olives, capers, oregano andred 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 aSpanish 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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?

1. Whole Chicken Legs or Thighs
2. Prunes
3. Olives
4. Capers
5. Garlic
6. Oregano
7. Brown Sugar
8. Red White Vinegar
9. 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:

1. 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.
2. 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.

1. Garlic Parmesan Mashed Caulifloweror Mashed Potatoes.
2. Crusty Bread or Dinner Rolls
3. Lemon Olive Pasta or Buttered Noodles
4. Spinach Salad (as shown in picture below)
5. Brown Rice
6. Creamy Risotto
7. Grilled or Roasted Vegetables Salad
8. Mustard Potato Salad
9. Roasted Asparagus
10. 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!