Chicken Marbella

My eye's been on this recipe in the Silver Palate Cookbook for quite some time and I've been procrastinating but last night its time had come to grace our dinner table. It was superb.

 

A combination of sweet from tons of garlic and prunes along with sour from red wine vinegar, capers and salty from Spanish olives, it is a fair symphony of flavors. The other bonus - you have to put it together in advance so the chicken has a chance to marinate in all the good yummy stuff before it gets topped with brown sugar, and cooked in a sea of white wine. Believe me, the chicken is wonderful but put the juices on top of a pile of couscous and THAT is amazing. By the way, it makes a ton as you can see, although you can cut it in half if you're not cooking for an army. I doubt you'll be sorry with the leftovers though. Download Chicken Marbella

Not unlike Noble Pig's Spicy Chicken with Apricots and Olives that we made last month, this is actually the chicken dish I was going to make for our dinner party in February until I spotted Cathy's cinnamon and smoked paprika flavored version, which quite honestly I prefer over Chicken Marbella. However, they are both wonderful in their own right and fabulous party food. Although the preparation is much the same, the different spices and ingredients make them worlds apart in flavor. In fact, I'm tempted to make them both next time we have a big bash just to see which one gets the most votes for "winner, winner chicken dinner."

By the way, I notice that Elise from Simply Recipes also gave this one a go, which doesn't surprise me. The woman is amazing and her blog is a tremendous resource so check out her version when you've a minute. Looks like it was a winner in her books too!

Comments

[Nanan]

Sound scrumptous to me - but I love all the ingredients!!!!!!
My hubby does not like "sweet stuff" a no go here - shucks...

Miata's on the mend!!! Cylinders issues being addressed in the clutch today!
Think I will test drive a Chevy Traverse today... William has adjusted the Vue's driver's seat and mirror's...

[Nanan]

What kind of Irish stuff are you making today? I might have to do your potato pie!!!!

[June]

Lea - glad to hear about the Miata. Have fun with your test drive! Let me know if you make the potato pie - it certainly qualifies as "Irish". I'm cookin' Irish too, but you'll have to read tomorrow's blog to find out what we're having!

[Va]

This is so funny that you posted this! I have been thinking about your chicken and apricot dish for the last month and was planning on making it tonight with prunes. Good timing, my friend!

so... do you have a preference?

[June]

Val - my absolute fave is the apricot/smoked paprika version, and I think it would be great with prunes too. The spices in it are perfectly balanced, the chicken moist and flavorful. It is a REAL keeper! Let me know what you think, OK? Oh - and thanks so much for your comment and for being a JBug reader!