Step 1: Marinate the Chicken

Begin by preparing the marinade. Combine all of the marinade ingredients in a large mixing bowl or a resealable plastic bag. This includes the green olives, prunes, capers, red wine vinegar, white wine, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, and cumin. These ingredients create a rich, tangy, sweet, and savory base that infuses the chicken with incredible flavor as it marinates.

Add your chicken pieces into the bowl or bag, making sure the chicken is submerged in the marinade. Toss the chicken pieces to ensure that each piece is well-coated. Seal the bag or cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, though for the best results, let it marinate for 4 hours or overnight. The longer the chicken sits in the marinade, the more flavorful it becomes, so plan ahead to allow the flavors to meld.

Step 2: Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Baking Dish

When you’re ready to cook, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). The middle rack is ideal for even cooking. Prepare a large baking dish or roasting pan—something big enough to hold all the chicken pieces in a single layer. If you don’t have a roasting pan, a large glass baking dish or even a cast-iron skillet will work. Be sure to line the pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.

Step 3: Roast the Chicken

Once the chicken has marinated, take it out of the refrigerator and arrange the pieces in the prepared baking dish. Pour the entire marinade, including the olives, prunes, and liquid, over the chicken, ensuring it is well-coated.

Now, sprinkle the chicken with brown sugar. This adds a subtle sweetness and helps create a lovely caramelized crust on the chicken as it roasts. The sugar balances out the salty olives and tangy capers, making the dish even more flavorful.

Place the baking dish in the oven and roast for about 45-55 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken; it should reach 165°F (75°C). The skin will crisp up beautifully while the chicken remains tender and juicy. During roasting, the marinade transforms into a flavorful sauce that perfectly complements the chicken.

Step 4: Garnish and Serve

Once the chicken is roasted to perfection, remove the dish from the oven. To finish, sprinkle the chicken with fresh chopped parsley. This adds a pop of color and freshness that cuts through the richness of the sauce. Serve each piece of chicken with a spoonful of the olives, prunes, and caper sauce that’s collected in the pan.

Chicken Marbella is an incredibly flavorful and satisfying dish on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a variety of side dishes that complement its bold flavors.