Kosher Chicken Marbella Recipe for Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of reflection, renewal, and celebration. One of the highlights of this festive season is the delicious food that graces the table, symbolizing hopes for a sweet and prosperous new year. If you’re looking to impress your family and friends with a memorable and flavorful dish, look no further than my Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella. This recipe combines succulent chicken with the rich, sweet, and savory flavors of prunes, olives, capers, and a honey-vinegar glaze. It’s a modern twist on a classic that is sure to become a holiday favorite. The best part? I re-envisioned the classic recipe so that the dish cooks on one large sheet pan, making it easy to prep and cook without producing a ton of extra dirty dishes (cooking for the holidays is hectic enough).

If you’re looking for the perfect dish to serve at your Rosh Hashanah table, look no further than Chicken Marbella. This easy chicken recipe combines sweet and savory flavors, ideal for celebrating the Jewish New Year. The moistness of the chicken, briny flavor of the capers, richness of the green olives, and sweetness of the prunes and honey beautifully reflects the holiday’s traditions of sweetness and abundance. Plus, it’s easy to make and sure to impress your family and guests.

Why You’ll Love This Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella Recipe

• Perfect for Rosh Hashanah: The use of honey and prunes is symbolic of a sweet new year, making this dish both meaningful and delicious.
• Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: The combination of salty capers and olives with sweet prunes and honey creates an unforgettable balance.
• Easy Preparation: This sheet pan meal is perfect for holiday cooking, freeing you up for other preparations. Plus, you won’t have extra bowls or dishes to wash.

Ingredients

To make my famous Chicken Marbella recipe, you’ll need the following:

• 2 whole chickens, cut into eighths
• Kosher salt and black pepper to season liberally
• 1 small bunch fresh oregano with stems intact (save some for garnish)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons capers
• 1/2 cup sliced green olives
• 10 oz pitted prunes, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 3-4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
• 1 1/2 cups baby carrots or thinly sliced large carrots

Instructions for the Perfect Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). This ensures that your chicken will cook evenly and develop a beautiful golden-brown color.

Step 2: Prepare the Chicken

Pat raw chicken pieces dry with paper towels. Sprinkle chicken pieces liberally with coarse salt, a few grinds of black pepper, and garlic powder. Ensure all pieces are evenly coated for maximum flavor.

Step 3: Arrange on the Sheet Pan

Place chicken pieces in a single layer on a large sheet pan, skin side up (you could also make this dish in a large shallow baking pan if you’d prefer). Scatter the briny capers, sliced green olives, chopped dried fruit, and oregano with stems around the chicken. This mixture will create a flavorful base that infuses the chicken as it cooks.

Step 4: Create the Glaze

In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, olive oil, and honey. Pour this mixture over the chicken, ensuring all pieces are well coated.

Step 5: Add Vegetables

Arrange the onion wedges and baby carrots around the chicken on the sheet pan (or baking dish). These vegetables will roast beautifully, adding both color and flavor to the dish.

Step 6: Roast the Chicken

Place the sheet pan in the preheated oven and roast for about 45-50 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is golden brown.

Pro Tip: Baste the chicken with the pan juices halfway through the cooking time to enhance the flavor and moisture.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Once cooked, remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for at least 5-10 minutes. This helps lock in the juices. Transfer the chicken, vegetables, and pan juices to a serving platter, garnish with fresh oregano, and enjoy a delicious and meaningful meal with your loved ones.

FAQ

Can I prepare this dish in advance?

Yes! You can marinate the chicken with the vinegar, olive oil, honey, and seasoning up to 24 hours in advance. This will deepen the flavors and make your holiday prep easier.

What can I serve alongside Chicken Marbella?

Pair this dish with simple sides like roasted potatoes, a fresh green salad, or couscous to round out the meal. For a sweet touch, try serving it with a honey-based dessert.

This Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella recipe is a great addition to any holiday meal, blending tradition with bold, modern flavors. Enjoy the sweet, savory, and tender chicken while ringing in the Jewish New Year with this symbolic and delicious dish!

Tips for Serving Chicken Marbella

• Pair with Traditional Sides: Serve your Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella with traditional holiday sides like sweet challah bread, apple slices with honey, and a fresh green salad.

• Wine Pairing: A light, fruity red wine such as Pinot Noir or a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc complements the flavors of this dish beautifully.

• Make Ahead: This dish can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated. Simply reheat in the oven before serving.

How to Store Leftovers

If you find yourself with leftovers, here’s how to keep them fresh and flavorful:

1. Refrigerating: Place the chicken, vegetables, and pan juices in an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Make sure the chicken is fully cooled before sealing to prevent condensation.
2. Freezing: This Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella freezes beautifully! Transfer the cooled chicken, veggies, and sauce into a freezer-safe container or gallon plastic bag, removing as much air as possible. It will keep for up to 3 months in the freezer.
3. Reheating: For the best results, reheat refrigerated leftovers in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through. If frozen, thaw in the fridge overnight and reheat as above. You can also microwave leftovers, but reheating in the oven helps maintain the crispness of the chicken skin.

Final Thoughts

This Rosh Hashanah Chicken Marbella is a perfect blend of sweet, savory, and tangy flavors that embodies the spirit of the holiday. (Side note: this Chicken Marbella recipe would also be a hit after the holidays for dinner parties throughout the year.) The ease of preparation and the impressive presentation make it an ideal dish for your holiday table. As you gather with loved ones for family dinners to celebrate the Jewish New Year, this delicious chicken recipe will surely be a highlight. Wishing you and your family a Shana Tova U’Metuka—a good and sweet year!

Sheet-Pan Chicken Marbella

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Servings 4

Ingredients

  

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• 2 chickens cut into eighths (16 pieces)
• 1 red onion, peeled and cut into wedges
• 1 1/2 cups baby carrots or thinly sliced large carrots
• 10 oz pitted prunes, roughly chopped
• Salt and pepper to season liberally
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 small bunch fresh oregano, with stems still intact (save some for garnish) 
• 3 tablespoons capers
• 1/2 cup sliced green olives
• 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup honey
• 3-4 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

  Place chicken pieces on 1 extra large or 2 smaller sheet pans and scatter around the vegetables, and prunes. Season liberally with salt and pepper and remaining spices. Add the oregano in with stems attaches as you will be discarding before serving. Add the capers, green olives, vinegar, honey and drizzle with olive oil to coat. Massage all together and roast for 40-50 minutes until cooked through and golden. Serve warm with additional fresh oregano to garnish.

Keyword Braised Chicken, chicken marbella, rosh hashanah chicken