Nigella Chicken With 40 Cloves of Garlic

This easy chicken dish is packed with flavor! The chicken thighs are slow-cooked with whole garlic cloves, making them tender and juicy. The garlic softens and turns sweet, creating a rich, savory sauce. Serve it with crusty bread or mashed potatoes for a delicious meal!

Ingredients Needed:

• 2 x 15ml tablespoons regular olive oil
• 8 chicken thighs with skin on and bone in (preferably organic)
• 1 bunch or 6 spring onions
• small bunch of fresh thyme
• 40 cloves garlic (approx. 3-4 bulbs), unpeeled
• 2 x 15ml tablespoons dry white vermouth or white wine
• 1½ teaspoons Maldon sea salt flakes or ¾ teaspoon pouring salt
• good grinding pepper

How To Make Chicken With 40 Cloves of Garlic?

1. Preheat the oven: Set the oven to 180°C.
2. Sear the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large ovenproof casserole over high heat. Sear the chicken, skin-side down, until browned. Transfer to a bowl.
3. Cook the onions: Add sliced spring onions and a few thyme leaves to the casserole. Stir-fry for about a minute.
4. Layer the garlic and chicken: Place 20 garlic cloves in the casserole. Add the chicken thighs, skin-side up, then top with the remaining garlic cloves.
5. Add wine and season: Pour vermouth or wine into the bowl with the chicken juices, swirl, and add to the casserole. Sprinkle with salt, black pepper, and more thyme sprigs.
6. Bake: Cover with a lid and bake for 1½ hours, until the chicken is tender and full of garlicky flavor.

Recipe Tips:

• Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for the best flavor: The skin keeps the chicken juicy, and the bones add extra richness to the sauce.
• Brown the chicken well before baking: This step adds deep flavor and helps lock in moisture, making the chicken more delicious.
• Keep the garlic cloves unpeeled: The garlic softens and turns sweet while cooking, creating a rich sauce that can be squeezed easily.
• Use a tight-fitting lid to trap moisture: This keeps the chicken tender and prevents the sauce from drying out in the oven.
• Let the dish rest for 5-10 minutes before serving: This allows the flavors to settle and makes the sauce even tastier when spooned over the chicken.

How To Store & Reheat Leftovers?

• Refrigerate: First, let the leftover chicken cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
• Freeze: Let the chicken cool completely, then place it in a freezer-safe container or bag. Store it in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheat: Heat a pan over medium-low heat, add the chicken with some of the sauce, and warm for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Nutrition Facts:

• Calories: 350 kcal
• Total Fat: 22g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Cholesterol: 100mg
• Sodium: 600mg
• Potassium: 400mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 8g
• Dietary Fiber: 1g
• Sugars: 1g
• Protein: 30g

Try More Nigella Lawson Recipes:

• Nigella Chicken With Chorizo and Cannellini Beans
• Nigella Chicken Tagine ​Recipe
• Nigella Chicken Thighs ​Recipe