Here’s a deliciously simple chicken recipe that uses figs, olives and a handful of other ingredients that make this one of my new favorite ways to bake chicken.
To make this recipe, you’ll need:
- whole chicken (cut in parts)
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- garlic
- dried figs
- olives
- onion
- parsley
It’s super easy to make because you literally just mix all the ingredients (except onions) in a bowl for the marinade/mixture, cut up the chicken if it isn’t already, place the onion on the bottom, place the chicken over top the onions then pour the fig and olive mixture over the chicken, cover, and bake in the oven at 375F for approximately 45 minutes or until the thickest parts read 165F.
I’ve broken it down in steps visually to show how easy it is:
Place raw chopped onion in pan
Place chicken parts on top
Create fig and olive mixture
Spread mixture on top of chicken
Bake in oven and serve!
Can You Roast a Whole Chicken and not Cut in Parts?
Yes and I’m sure it would taste just as good. However, if you use a whole chicken I would try to put as much mixture as you can under the skin to help the flavor soak into the meat.
I would also recommend basting the chicken throughout the roasting process.
I prefer cooking the chicken in parts for dishes like this, similar to chicken cacciatore, it is in my opinion quicker (once the parts are cut), and the flavor of the marinade penetrates the chicken meat more evenly.
What Kind of Figs and Where can I Get Them?
I used dried Turkish figs in this recipe. I could have used mission figs as well, but I think the Turkish figs have a better flavor for the chicken.
You can purchase them in local grocery stores near the nut section. But there are places that you can order online. One place we like to order from a place in Michigan called Country Life Natural Foods.
What Kind of Olives Should be Used?
I contemplated using both green spanish olives as well as kalamata olives, but opted for just the kalamata olives. I love the flavor of spanish olives (the kind you use in a martini), and I will make it again using those olives to mix it up next time.
Without further delay, here’s the recipe!
Chicken with Figs and Olives
This recipe is one of my favorite recipes because it's easy and loaded with flavor! The dried figs and olives offer a robust Italian and Mediterranean flavor that everyone will love!
Ingredients
- 1 chicken Cut in parts
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 4 cloves garlic crushed and chopped
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 6 dried figs chopped finely
- 2 tbsp dried or freshly chopped parsley
- 1 cup chopped kalamata olives
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions
-
Place chopped onions on bottom of baking dish (I used 9x13)
-
Place chicken parts on top of the onions
-
In a bowl, mix all the other ingredients
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Pour the mixture on top of the chicken, making sure to spoon the mixture on the chicken so it doesn't all run off
-
Cover and bake at 350F for 35-45 minutes, making sure to baste the chicken with the mixture half way through
-
The chicken will be done when the thickest parts read 165F.
Recipe Notes
- If using a whole chicken not cut in parts, basting it throughout is important to help with the flavor in the chicken.
- Turkish figs are used in this recipe, other figs may work just as well, some with the olives.
