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Citrus Marinated Chicken in a Clay Pot

17/11/2023

Citrus marinated chicken is a succulent dish that combines the delicate taste of chicken with the freshness and aroma of citrus fruits. To add an Italian touch to this recipe, I will also use aromatic herbs typical of Mediterranean cuisine. Here’s the recipe:

Ingredients

  • 4 chicken thighs
  • 1 orange
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 limes
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 sprigs of rosemary
  • 4 sage leaves
  • Dried oregano to taste
  • Black pepper to taste
  • Salt to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • 100 ml of white wine

Preparation

  1. Start by grating the zest of half the orange, the lemon, and the limes, being careful not to take the white part, which could make the marinade bitter.
  2. In a bowl, squeeze the juice of the remaining orange, lemon, and limes after grating the zest, and add it to the grated zest.
  3. To the citrus, add finely chopped garlic cloves, crumbled sage leaves, and chopped rosemary. Also add a pinch of dried oregano, black pepper, and plenty of salt.
  4. Pour a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and mix well all the ingredients to obtain the marinade.
  5. Arrange the chicken thighs in a baking dish and pour the marinade over them, making sure to cover all the chicken well. Cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, even better if overnight for a more intense flavor.
  6. Once marinated, preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  7. Deglaze the chicken with white wine, then place the chicken, in a clay pot if available, otherwise you can use a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
  8. Cook in the oven for about 1 hour or until the chicken is golden and well cooked inside. During cooking, baste the chicken with the marinade juices to keep it juicy.
  9. Once ready, let the chicken rest for a few minutes before serving.

Citrus marinated chicken in a clay pot is a dish to be served hot, ideal for a hearty and fragrant dinner. It can be accompanied by a simple side of steamed vegetables or a fresh seasonal salad.

Curiosities

Marinating meat in citrus is a technique that helps not only to impart flavor, but also to tenderize the meat’s fibers thanks to the acidity of the citrus. In Italy, the use of lemon and aromatic herbs is very common, especially in the southern regions like Sicily, where citrus fruits abound.