Chicken Marbella – Ina’s Way

My sister Tomi, introduced me to this flavorful party dish, oh so many years ago and it has been a favorite ever since. She found it in the Julie Rossi and Sheila Luken’s best selling book “The Silver Palate Cookbook” It is a great main-course dish and the unique colors and flavors of the prunes, capers and olives are Devine. You can also serve as an hors d’oeuvre by preparing with mini drumsticks. It can be served hot or at room temperature.

Here is Ina Garten’s twist on one of my family’s favorites.

Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

SERVES 8-10

INGREDIENTS

  • 1/2 cup good olive oil
  • 1/2 cup good red wine vinegar
  • 1 1/2 cups large pitted prunes, such as Sunsweet
  • 1 cup large green olives, pitted
  • 1/2 cup capers, including the juices (3 1/2 ounces)
  • 6 bay leaves
  • 1 1/2 heads of garlic, cloves separated, peeled, and minced
  • 1/4 cup dried oregano
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 (4-pound) chickens, backs removed and cut into 8 pieces
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  • 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Combine the olive oil, vinegar, prunes, olives, capers, bay leaves, garlic, oregano, 2 tablespoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken to the marinade. (You can also place the chicken and marinade in a 2-gallon plastic storage bag and squeeze out the air to make sure the chicken is fully covered with the marinade.) Refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally to be sure the marinade is getting into all of the chicken pieces.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Place the chicken, skin side up, along with the marinade in one layer in a large (15 × 18-inch) roasting pan, sprinkle with the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper, and pour the wine around (not over!) the chicken. Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken is 145 degrees. Remove the pan from the oven, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Transfer the chicken, prunes, and olives to a serving platter, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with the pan juices.

NUTRITIONAL INFO

  • wheat-free
  • dairy-free
  • fish-free
  • peanut-free
  • shellfish-free
  • pork-free
  • gluten-free
  • egg-free
  • high-fiber
  • soy-free
  • tree-nut-free
  • red-meat-free

Reprinted from Cook Like a Pro: Recipes & Tips for Home Cooks. Copyright © 2018 by Ina Garten.

Sesame Orange Chicken Skewers

Chicken Skewers

Sesame-Orange Chicken Skewers                        6 servings

1 – 1 1/2 lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup hoisin sauce
1/4 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/4 cup orange juice
2 T. drained mandarin orange segments
3 green onions, sliced (including about 1/2 the green part)
1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or ½ tsp. garlic salt if you don’t have fresh)

Directions

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CHICKEN FIVE WAYS

CHICKEN FIVE WAYS

Create these tasty marinades in minutes and combine with 1½ -2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 4 small breasts) for a healthy meal right off the BBQ grill.

Allow time for chicken to marinade for 1-4 hours for maximum flavor.

Southwest Chicken Salad Southwest Chicken Salad

Southwest Chicken

3 T. Olive Oil

2 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 1/2 tsp. chili powder

1 ½ tsp. ground cumin

1 ½ tsp. dried oregano leaves

½ tsp. salt

Combine ingredients and brush over both sides of chicken to coat. Grill over medium hot briquettes for 8-10 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink, turning once.

Serve immediately or use it to build a burrito or taco salad*

*  Build a Burrito: top warm flour tortillas with strips of Southwest Chicken and your choice of drained canned black beans, cooked brown or white rice, shredded cheese, salsa verde, shredded lettuce, and chopped cilantro. Fold in sides and roll to enclose filling. Heat in microwave on HIGH for 30 seconds or until heated thru or wrap in foil and heat in pre-heated over at 350 degrees until hot.

*  Taco Salad: For a quick one-dish meal, layer strips of Southwest chicken with tomato wedges, blue or traditional corn tortilla chips, shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce, shredded cheese, and avocado slices. Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole or a favorite dressing.

 *****

Grilled Rosemary Chicken

2 T. lemon juice

2 T. Olive Oil

2 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 T. minced fresh rosemary

¼ tsp. salt

Whisk together the ingredients and pour into either a shallow glass pan or a gallon size zip-lock bag. Add chicken and coat both sides. Cover and marinate in refrigerator for 1-4 hours.

Grill chicken over medium hot coals 5-6 minutes per side or until chicken is no longer pink in center.

Serve with kale salad or grilled vegetables (see recipes on blog).

*****

Sesame Orange Chicken Skewers

Sesame-Orange Chicken Skewers

½ cup hoisin sauce

¼ cup seasoned rice vinegar

¼ cup sesame oil

¼ cup orange juice

2 T. drained mandarin orange segments

1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or ½ tsp. garlic salt if you don’t have fresh)

In a gallon-sized re-sealable bag, combine all ingredients and mix well. Remove ¾ cup of the marinade for basting.

Cut chicken into strips and place in the bag, marinating for 1-4 hours. Remove chicken and discard used marinade.

Thread chicken onto bamboo skewers (soaked in water for at least 20 minutes to keep from burning). Grill skewers for 10-15 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in the center and juices run clear when cut. Turn skewers once and baste often with additional ¾ cup marinade. Do not baste, during the last 5 minutes of cooking.

Serve with steamed white or brown rice and snow peas.

*****

Thai Grilled Chicken

4 servings

¼ cup soy sauce

2 cloves minced garlic ( or 2 tsp. bootled minced garlic)

1.2 tsp. red pepper flakes

2 T. honey

1 T. fresh lime juice

Combine all ingredients but the honey and lime juice in a measuring cup.

Place chicken in a re-sealable plastic bag and pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat all sides. Marinate for 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Meanwhile, combine honey and lime juice in a small boawl until blended and set aside.

Place chicken on grill over medium heat. Brush with some of the leftover marinade from the dish. Discard the remaining marinade.

Grill covered for 5 minutes. Brush chicken with half of the honey mixture, turn and brush with remaining mixture. Grill 5 minutes more or until chicken is cooked through.

Serve with steamed rice, oriental vegetables and fresh fruit salad.

*****

Chicken Ribbon Satay

½ cup creamy peanut butter

½ cup water

¼ cup soy sauce

4 cloves garlic, pressed

3 T. lemon juice

2 T. firmly packed brown sugar

¾ tsp. ground ginger or 1 ½ tsp. crushed garlic (found in a jar at most grocery stores)

½ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

sliced green onion tops (for garnish)

 

Combine all but green onion in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat 1 minute or until smooth; cool. Remove garlic from sauce; discard.

Reserve half of sauce for dipping.

Cut chicken lengthwise into 1 inch wide strips. Thread onto 8 metal or bamboo skewers (soaked in water at least 20 minutes to keep from burning)

Oil the grill to prevent sticking. Grill chicken on a covered grill over medium high heat, for 6-8 minutes or until the center is no longer pink, turning once.   Baste with the sauce once or twice during cooking.

Serve with reserved sauce garnished with slice green onion on a bed of jasmine rice.

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