Modernized Chicken Marbella Cooks Illustrated Food

CHICKEN MARBELLA, UPDATED

Steps:

• 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.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the chicken, skin side up, along with the marinade in one layer in a large (15-by-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 F. 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.

MODERNIZED CHICKEN MARBELLA (COOK'S ILLUSTRATED)

Steps:

• FOR THE PASTE: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Pulse all ingredients in food processor until finely chopped, about ten 1-second pulses. Scrape down bowl and continue to process until mostly smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to bowl. (Paste can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.).
• FOR THE CHICKEN: Pat chicken dry with paper towels. Sprinkle chicken pieces with 1½ teaspoons salt and season with pepper.
• Heat oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook without moving it until well browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to large plate. Drain off all but 1 teaspoon fat from skillet and return to medium-low heat.
• Add 1/3 cup paste to skillet and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and fond forms on pan bottom, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in broth, wine, olives, capers, and bay leaves, scraping up any browned bits. Return chicken to pan, skin side up (skin should be above surface of liquid), and roast, uncovered, for 15 minutes.
• Remove skillet from oven and use back of spoon to spread remaining paste over chicken pieces; sprinkle prunes around chicken. Continue to roast until paste begins to brown, breasts register 160 degrees, and leg quarters register 175 degrees, 7 to 12 minutes longer.
• Transfer chicken to serving platter and tent loosely with aluminum foil. Remove bay leaves from sauce and whisk in butter, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon parsley; season with salt and pepper to taste. Pour sauce around chicken, sprinkle with remaining 1 tablespoon parsley, and serve.

INSTANT POT CHICKEN MARBELLA

Steps:

• Set a 6-quart Instant Pot® to high saute (see Cook's Note) and allow it to heat up for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, liberally sprinkle the chicken thighs on both sides with salt and pepper. Add the oil to the pot, then add half of the chicken thighs skin-side down. Cook until the skin is deeply browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook until the second side is deeply browned, 4 to 6 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining chicken.
• Add the garlic to the pot and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned in spots, about 1 minute. Add the apricots, olives, white wine, capers, brown sugar, oregano and 1/3 cup water. Stir to combine, using a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the pot. Turn off the pot and put the rack on top of the olive and apricot mixture with the handles going up the sides. Nestle the chicken on the rack skin-side up.
• Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes.
• After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid. Transfer the chicken to a platter and use a slotted spoon to scoop the olive and apricot mixture on top and around the chicken. Cover loosely with aluminum foil to keep warm.
• Remove the rack and set the pot to normal saute. Simmer the sauce until slightly thickened and reduced by half, 6 to 8 minutes. Spoon the sauce on top of the chicken and serve immediately.

WEEKNIGHT CHICKEN MARBELLA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over high until shimmering and tiny wisps of smoke are visible, about 2 minutes. Add chicken, skin-side down, cover and cook until deep golden brown, about 10 minutes. (Covering the chicken speeds up the cook time and prevents the oil from splattering all over your stovetop.) Flip chicken, cover again and cook until golden on second side, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 1 minute.
• Arrange prunes, olives, capers and brine, bay leaves and oregano in between chicken pieces. Sprinkle with brown sugar, 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper; pour wine and vinegar over top and bring to a boil. Reduce to low, cover and simmer until chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer chicken to a serving platter and return pan to high heat. Cook sauce, swirling occasionally, until reduced and slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Spoon pan sauce over chicken and serve.