Ciao Chow Chicken w/ Figs

chicken with figs21



From the title of this post, you may think this is an Italian dish (Ciao), or a Chinese dish (Chow), however, it is neither!

I love Chicken Marbella from the Silver Palate's first cookbook. It is definitely their most popular recipe from that book. I make it once a year for the Jewish holidays, because it has prunes and olives, savory and sweet, and it's such a crowd pleaser.

I wonder how it is really prepared in Marbella, Spain?

Recently, Linda from Ciao Chow Linda (hence the name of the post Ciao Chow Chicken) made a healthier version of this recipe, and I must say, EASIER ........and if I loved Linda before, I love her even more now, because she substituted FIGS for the prunes. (I love prunes too....but figs and I have this special relationship).

She used boneless chicken breasts and did an easy marinade in a ziploc bag.
I like ziploc bags. Put everything in the bag in the a.m. and finish up when you get home from work.

The only thing I did differently, was I poured the wine and chicken stock in with the marinade to make it saucier. The results were heavenly.
Like a lowfat tagine. I served this over couscous.

Try it, you'll like it!

Linda's Chicken with Figs & Olives:

4 boneless chicken breasts
10 dried figs, cut in half
10 kalamata olives, cut in half
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup of white wine
handful of chopped cilantro
dried basil (I used a handful of fresh basil)
salt and pepper





Mix up sauce and pour over chicken breasts in a ziploc bag. Marinate at least 4 hours and preferably overnight.



Lay out chicken breasts and marinade in a casserole dish and bake at 350F for about 30 minutes.



I served this over couscous garnished with fresh cilantro!

An easy, delicious weeknight dinner!



Comments

I've always been a little clueless on how to use figs in main dishes - this looks beautiful, and I love the fact that the ziplock bag is a hero, too!
Ciao Chow Linda said…
Stacey - Aw shucks, thanks for the shout-out and nice words. Your version turned out great and the photos are wonderful too. Glad you enjoyed the recipe.
stacey this dish is so exactly what I wish I was having for lunch today - it is all tagine like....
StaceyEsq said…
Wow. What a perfect midweek meal. I love figs as much as you do, so I don't know how you had any left to put in the dish (I'd be munching them while preparing it and have none left)! Looking forward to making this one!
We're big Chicken Marbella fans. It's so easy to make for a crowd. This certainly looks healthier and I like that you served it over couscous - great idea.
Sam
jp said…
Your food looks so delicious!
Michele said…
I starred this when I saw it on Linda's blog and now that I'm seeing it again I'm going to have to make it. My parents have a fig tree. I wonder if this can be made with fresh figs instead of dried.
Dewi said…
Hmmm yummy!
I love every single ingredient that goes into this dish, especially the fig.
Foodiewife said…
Dear Stacey-- thank you for being my personal chef. All I have to do is ready your daily blog (I'm amazed how faithfully you blog) and I already know what I'm making. LOVE this version, and figs are a staple in my house. I've learned to like kalamata olives, so don't be surprised if this is on my blog by week's end!
Lori Lynn said…
Hi Stace! Oh this sounds so good! I have been traveling so I haven't visited your blog in a while. Looking forward to reading all your posts that I have missed. You always have such good ideas!

Lori Lynn
It looks fantastic! My husband adores figs so this is his type of comfort food!
Ginger said…
Stacey

Your chicken looks incredible. The flavors are unique and fresh. YUMMY!!
Table Talk said…
Sweet, Savory, and Salty all in one dish; sounds wonderful!
Selba said…
It looks so delicious!
My hubby would be all over this, he's a fig freak just like you. Maybe I'll be a nice wifey and make this for him!
Colloquial Cook said…
Yep, she did the fig thing again :-) ah Stacey you're unstoppable, I HAVE to stock up on figs any time soon now!
Giff said…
how funny, I just came over from visiting Linda's blog, to post a comment linking to one of yours, and here you are writing about one of hers...
Maris said…
Looks great! I, like TW am generally clueless when it comes to figs - I know I like fig jam but that's about as far as I've gotten yet!
Sophie said…
I'd definitely make this with figs over prunes too, yum! I love adding dried fruits to savory dishes!
I think you are single handedly keeping the fig industry in business. Maybe we should try to grow a fig tree in NJ. :)
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