Can be marinated for up to 2 days, or cooked straightaway.
If cooking straightaway, rub chicken with 1 tsp of salt and pepper instead of placing those in the marinade.
Adapted from Julee Rosso and Sheila Lukins’s The Silver Palate, and Yotam Ottolenghi's Simple.
Recipe by Ksenia Prints on March 18, 2021
Prep time: PT10M
Cook time: PT50M
Total time: PT180M
Rating
4.43 stars (59 reviews)
Keywords
capers, chicken, Date molasses, dates, gluten-free, Medjool dates, olives, one pan meal, one tray bake, paleo, passover, sweet potatoes, wine
Ingredients
6 chicken thighs, breasts or drumsticks (skin on and bone-in, scored a few times)
4 garlic cloves (crushed)
3/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves (chopped plus more for serving)
3 tbsp red wine vinegar
3 tbsp olive oil
1 cup pitted green olives
5 tbsp capers (plus 2 tbsp of their brine)
1 cup Natural Delights Medjool dates (pitted and quartered lengthwise (equal to 7 individual dates or 120g))
2 bay leaves
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
½ cup dry red wine ((120ml))
2 large sweet potatoes or 4 small (cut into wedges)
2 TBs date molasses (can be replaced with pomegranate molasses, regular molasses or maple syrup)
Categories
Main Course
Poultry
Cuisine
Jewish
Middle Eastern
Steps
Prepare a large baking pan or baking sheet by covering it with parchment paper.
If you have time to marinate the chicken, place chicken pieces in a large bowl and add the garlic, cilantro, vinegar, oil, olives, capers, Medjool dates, bay leaves, 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. If you are cooking the chicken straightaway, then rub the chicken with the salt and pepper prior to placing it in the marinade of garlic, cilantro, vinegar, oil, olives, capers, dates and bay leaves. Stir everything to combine, cover the bowl and let the chicken marinate for at least 2 hours, and up to two days.
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Spread out the sweet potatoes along the sides of the baking sheet. Arrange chicken thighs, along with all the marinade ingredients, letting it overlap with the sweet potatoes. Whisk together the wine and molasses and pour over the meat. Drizzle sweet potatoes with 3-4 TBs of olive oil and sprinkle generously with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper.
Place Ottolenghi Chicken Marbella with dates in the oven and cook for 50 minutes, basting two or three times, until the meat is golden brown on top and cooked through.
Remove tray from the oven, transfer chicken, sweet potatoes and everything else to a large platter, sprinkle with some fresh cilantro, and serve.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 509 kcal
Carbohydrates: 36 g
Protein: 50 g
Fat: 16 g
Saturated Fat: 3 g
Trans Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 145 mg
Sodium: 1616 mg
Sugar: 20 g
Reviews
CJ on 2025-10-22 (5 stars): This recipe was so delicious. All of the flavors melded so well together and nothing was overbearing. I only wish I had a bit more sauce to pour over before serving. First time making but will definitely add it to my rotation. I can't wait to make it for my friends too.
Debby Roche on 2024-09-04 (5 stars): This is absolutely amazing! Every bite of it! And so easy & quick! I prepped it on the weekend to marinate, put it on the pan as directed when I got home from work, and it is a gourmet meal! I am not a fan of dates but they were so amazing with the chicken that I wished I had used the whole package. We all loved at and we get to eat the leftovers for lunch a couple days this week.
Lauren Agar on 2023-07-30 (5 stars): Yummy! I consider myself a decent cook. This is what I have been looking for. This recipe is fresh and includes olives which I love. Can't wait to try it tonight. Thank you!
Harry on 2022-03-25 (5 stars): Help! I added the wine and molasses too early ! Is it ruined?
Alene on 2021-12-20 (5 stars): This was so different and delicious! Even my husband, who is not a chicken fan, really liked it. I loved the salty/sweet flavors. I used pomegranate molasses as that's what I have. I generally love Ottolenghi's recipes, especially if I can make them gluten free. Thank you for posting it.
Ramona on 2021-03-29 (5 stars): Oh my goodness this looks absolutely incredible and I’m drooling all over my keyboards right now. I could definitely have this now for breakfast, why not? I’m saving the recipe and this will be made ASAP it looks divine!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen on 2021-03-28 (5 stars): Oh my! I need this in my life. Must print your recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Melissa on 2021-03-28 (5 stars): Soooooo good. Thanks for this updated variation. The sweet potatoes are a great addition!
