A Teaspoon of Chance

We have been in a supper club for about the last 15 or 16 years with a great group of friends.  We get together on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and I love to try new recipes on everybody!  Last week it was at our house and we served Chicken Marbella from Southern Living's Our Readers Top Rated Recipes.  This is an excellent cookbook that I highly recommend.  I have not made anything out of this one that I did not love!! This chicken recipe has such an unusual combination of flavors that I could not imagine how it would taste.  It was great.  Sort of a Mediterranean bbq  if you will.  I loved it and would make it again. The aromas while it is cooking are fabulous!

Chicken Marbella

1 (12 oz) package pitted prunes

1 (3.5 oz) jar capers

1 (0.5 oz) bottle dried oregano

6 bay leaves

1 garlic bulb, minced (about 1 TBSP)

1 c pimento-stuffed olives

1/2 c red wine vinegar

1/2 c olive oil

1 TBSP coarse sea salt

2 tsp pepper

8 lbs mixed chicken pieces

1 c brown sugar

1 c dry white wine

1/4 c fresh parsley, chopped

  

 Combine first 10 ingredients in a large zip-top freezer bag or a large bowl.  Add chicken pieces, turning to coat well; seal or cover and chill for at least 8 hours (overnight is best), turning chicken occasionally.

Arrange chicken in a single layer in 1 or 2 (13x9) baking dishes. Pour marinade evenly over chicken, and sprinkle evenly with brown sugar; pour wine around pieces.

Bake at 350 for 50 minutes to 1 hour, basting frequently. Remove chicken, prunes, olives and capers to a serving platter.  Drizzle with 3/4 c pan juices; sprinkle evenly with parsley.

Serves 8 to 10.

This is a very flavorful dish so you don't want to serve anything to take away from that.  I served plain mashed potatoes with it and my supper club friends brought green beans and a simple salad and rolls to go with it.  They loved it!