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Mary Berry Chicken Marbella Recipe

Mary Berry Chicken Marbella Recipe

This Mary Berry Chicken Marbella Recipe is the ultimate crowd-pleasing dinner for your next big family gathering. It features juicy chicken sweet prunes tangy olives and a savory herb marinade that smells absolutely heavenly.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Spanish-Mediterranean
Servings 8
Calories 455 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 chicken thighs bone-in and skin-on
  • 8 chicken drumsticks skin-on
  • 4 cloves garlic crushed
  • 2 tablespoons dried oregano
  • 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 cup pitted prunes halved
  • 1/2 cup pitted Spanish green olives
  • 1/4 cup capers with a little juice
  • 3 bay leaves
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • Fresh parsley chopped for garnish

Instructions
 

Prep the Chicken

  • Place your chicken thighs and drumsticks into a very large, non-metallic mixing bowl on your counter. Using skin-on chicken is important because the skin becomes crispy and absorbs all the wonderful marinade flavors.

Mix the Marinade

  • In a separate small bowl, whisk together the crushed garlic, oregano, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture over the chicken pieces and toss them well so every inch is completely coated.

Add the Fruit

  • Stir in the halved prunes, green olives, capers, and bay leaves into the large bowl with the chicken. These ingredients provide the classic sweet and salty punch that makes this specific Mary Berry dish famous.

Marinate the Meat

  • Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least two hours. For the best results, let the chicken sit overnight so the meat becomes incredibly tender and very flavorful.

Arrange the Pan

  • Preheat your oven to 180°C and arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer in a roasting tin. Pour all the leftover marinade, fruit, and juices from the bowl over the chicken in the tin.

Add the Wine

  • Carefully pour the dry white wine around the chicken pieces into the bottom of the roasting tin. The wine creates a beautiful steam that keeps the chicken moist while it roasts in the hot oven.

Sprinkle the Sugar

  • Sprinkle the light brown sugar evenly over the top of the chicken skin for a caramelized finish. The sugar melts into the juices to create a rich, dark, and very sticky sauce during the bake.

Roast the Dish

  • Place the tin in the oven and bake for fifty to sixty minutes until the chicken is cooked through. The skin should be deep golden brown and the juices should run clear when you poke the meat.

Baste the Chicken

  • Halfway through the cooking time, use a large spoon to pour the pan juices over the chicken pieces. This basting step ensures the skin stays glossy and tastes like the savory herbs and sweet prunes.

Garnish and Serve

  • Transfer the hot chicken to a large serving platter and pour the remaining sauce and fruit over it. Top with a handful of fresh chopped parsley for a bright, herbal look before serving to your guests.

Notes

  • Use chicken breasts instead of thighs if you prefer white meat, but reduce the cooking time slightly.
  • Always use a non-metallic bowl for marinating to prevent a metallic taste from the vinegar and olives.
  • Add a splash of orange juice to the marinade for an extra citrusy and very bright flavor. If you enjoy Mediterranean ingredients like these, Jamie Oliver's herb-loaded chicken shawarma uses a similarly bold, aromatic marinade and is a wonderful companion dish to have in your repertoire.
  • If you do not have prunes, dried apricots make a wonderful and very sweet substitute for fruit.
  • Make sure to use pitted olives so your guests do not have to worry about biting a stone.
  • Let the chicken rest for five minutes after baking to keep all the savory juices inside the meat.
Keyword Mary Berry Chicken Marbella Recipe