Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella is a timeless, make-ahead dish that’s bursting with savory, sweet, and tangy flavors. Originally made famous in the Silver Palate Cookbook, Ina’s version gives it a modern twist while staying true to its Mediterranean roots. With a marinade of prunes, olives, garlic, and capers, baked alongside white wine and brown sugar, this dish delivers bold flavors and a stunning presentation—perfect for dinner parties, holidays, or elegant weeknight meals.

What Is Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella?

Chicken Marbella is a marinated baked chicken dish featuring a sweet and savory combo of ingredients like prunes, green olives, capers, and garlic, balanced by herbs, brown sugar, and white wine. The chicken is marinated overnight for maximum flavor, then roasted until golden, basting in its own juices to become perfectly tender.

Other Ina Garten Recipes

Reasons to Try Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Make-ahead friendly – Marinate it the night before
Unique flavor profile – Sweet, salty, tangy, and herby
Impressive and elegant – Ideal for hosting
Great for large gatherings – Easy to scale up
Delicious served hot or at room temperature

Ingredients Needed to Make Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

4 large bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
4 large bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts, halved (8 pieces total)
1 head of garlic, minced
¼ cup dried oregano
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
½ cup red wine vinegar
½ cup olive oil
1 cup pitted prunes
½ cup pitted green olives
½ cup capers with a bit of juice
6 bay leaves
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup dry white wine
¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions to Prepare Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

In a large bowl or baking dish, combine the garlic, oregano, salt, pepper, vinegar, olive oil, prunes, olives, capers with juice, and bay leaves.
Add the chicken pieces and toss until thoroughly coated.
Cover and marinate in the refrigerator overnight, or at least 8 hours.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 3: Arrange and Bake the Chicken

Transfer the chicken and marinade to a large baking dish or roasting pan in a single layer.
Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over the chicken, then pour the white wine around (not over) the chicken to keep the sugar topping intact.
Bake uncovered for 50–60 minutes, basting with pan juices once or twice during cooking, until the chicken is browned and fully cooked (165°F internal temp).

Step 4: Serve and Garnish

Transfer the chicken to a platter and spoon the pan sauce, prunes, olives, and capers over the top.
Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot or at room temperature.

What Goes Well With Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Buttery couscous or herbed rice – Soaks up the flavorful pan juices
Roasted or mashed potatoes – Adds a comforting base
Grilled vegetables – Complements the bold flavors
Fresh arugula or fennel salad – Adds brightness
Crusty bread – Perfect for mopping up extra sauce

Key Tips for Making Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Marinate overnight for deep, complex flavor
Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for juiciness and golden skin
Don’t skip the brown sugar – It creates a rich glaze and balances the briny elements
Baste during baking to keep the chicken moist
Let it rest briefly before serving so the juices settle

Creative Variations of Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Use boneless thighs for faster cooking and easier eating
Swap prunes for dried apricots for a slightly tart twist
Add orange zest or juice to the marinade for citrusy brightness
Use rosemary or thyme in place of oregano for a different herbal note
Add chickpeas to the pan for a complete one-dish meal

Storage Guidelines for Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days
Best reheated with some of the pan juices to maintain moisture
Can be frozen for up to 3 months—thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating

Reheating Tips for Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella

Oven method: Reheat in a covered dish at 325°F for 15–20 minutes
Stovetop method: Simmer gently in a skillet with a splash of broth or leftover pan sauce
Microwave method: Heat in short bursts, covered, to avoid drying out

Nutritional Value (per Serving)

Calories: ~480
Protein: ~35g
Carbohydrates: ~24g
Fat: ~28g
Fiber: ~2g
Sugar: ~18g

FAQs

Can I make Chicken Marbella ahead of time?

Yes! It’s ideal for preparing ahead—marinate the night before and even bake it earlier in the day. It tastes great at room temperature.

What can I use instead of prunes?

Dried apricots, figs, or raisins make great substitutes with different flavor profiles.

Can I use boneless chicken?

Yes, but reduce the cooking time to 30–35 minutes, and keep an eye out to avoid overcooking.

Does Chicken Marbella freeze well?

Yes. Freeze in a tightly sealed container with the sauce. Thaw in the fridge and reheat gently.

Wrapping Up

Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella is the kind of dish that delivers big flavor with minimal hands-on time. The sweet-savory combination of prunes, olives, garlic, and wine makes it irresistibly rich, balanced, and memorable. It’s a make-ahead masterpiece that’s as elegant as it is easy—perfect for both dinner guests and weeknight indulgence.