Chicken with Red Grapes and Marsala
by Nigella. Featured in AT MY TABLEIntroduction
Brimming with mellow fruitfulness, the muskiness of the Marsala and the scented woodsiness of the thyme, this is the perfect autumnal supper; that said, it doesn’t stop me eating this all year round.
If you’re one of those people who keep home-made stock in ice cubes in the freezer — and reader, I was that person once — that’s great, but I am happy to make this with chicken stock made up from concentrate.
A chicken supreme is simply a skin-on chicken breast with the peg bone attached; it stays wonderfully juicy when cooked and gives depth to the stock. You could use a regular chicken breast — so long as it still has its skin — though it won't flavour the stock as well (and will need a little less time in the oven) but skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs would be a better substitute; it's rather rare for me, indeed, not to favour them in the first place!
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
Brimming with mellow fruitfulness, the muskiness of the Marsala and the scented woodsiness of the thyme, this is the perfect autumnal supper; that said, it doesn’t stop me eating this all year round.
If you’re one of those people who keep home-made stock in ice cubes in the freezer — and reader, I was that person once — that’s great, but I am happy to make this with chicken stock made up from concentrate.
A chicken supreme is simply a skin-on chicken breast with the peg bone attached; it stays wonderfully juicy when cooked and gives depth to the stock. You could use a regular chicken breast — so long as it still has its skin — though it won't flavour the stock as well (and will need a little less time in the oven) but skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs would be a better substitute; it's rather rare for me, indeed, not to favour them in the first place!
For US cup measures, use the toggle at the top of the ingredients list.
Ingredients
Serves: 2
- 4 x 15ml tablespoons marsala
- 4 x 15ml tablespoons chicken stock
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 x 15ml tablespoon regular olive oil
- 2 chicken supremes
- approx. 20 seedless red grapes
- approx. 1 x 15ml tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs for sprinkling
- ¼ cup marsala
- ¼ cup chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon regular olive oil
- 2 chicken supremes
- approx. 20 seedless red grapes
- approx. 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves, plus a few sprigs for sprinkling
Method
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/400°F and mix the Marsala, stock and mustard together in a little jug.
- Heat the oil in a solidly made frying pan or very shallow casserole or dish in which the chicken breasts will fit fairly snugly, and that will go on the hob and in the oven.
- Fry the chicken supremes, skin-side down, for 5 minutes, by which time the skin will be golden. Turn the chicken skin-side up, add the Marsala mixture to the pan and let it quickly bubble up, then drop in the grapes and sprinkle in most of the thyme leaves. Bring back to a bubble, then transfer to the oven and cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken skin is bronzed and crisp and the chicken itself just cooked through and wonderfully tender.
- Transfer the chicken and grapes to two shallow bowls or dinner plates, then put the pan over a high heat, and let the juices bubble for 2–3 minutes, or until slightly reduced and thickened to a savoury syrup. Pour around, but not over, the chicken. I know this sounds restaurant-fancy, but it’s to keep the skin crisp. Scatter some leaves and delicate sprigs of thyme over, and serve, with perhaps a baguette to dip into the rich chickeny juices, or steam some new potatoes to have alongside.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C/180°C Fan/400°F and mix the Marsala, stock and mustard together in a little jug.
- Heat the oil in a solidly made frying pan or very shallow casserole or dish in which the chicken breasts will fit fairly snugly, and that will go on the hob and in the oven.
- Fry the chicken supremes, skin-side down, for 5 minutes, by which time the skin will be golden. Turn the chicken skin-side up, add the Marsala mixture to the pan and let it quickly bubble up, then drop in the grapes and sprinkle in most of the thyme leaves. Bring back to a bubble, then transfer to the oven and cook for 20 minutes, or until the chicken skin is bronzed and crisp and the chicken itself just cooked through and wonderfully tender.
- Transfer the chicken and grapes to two shallow bowls or dinner plates, then put the pan over a high heat, and let the juices bubble for 2–3 minutes, or until slightly reduced and thickened to a savoury syrup. Pour around, but not over, the chicken. I know this sounds restaurant-fancy, but it’s to keep the skin crisp. Scatter some leaves and delicate sprigs of thyme over, and serve, with perhaps a baguette to dip into the rich chickeny juices, or steam some new potatoes to have alongside.
Additional Information
MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead/store.
MAKE AHEAD / STORE:
It is not advisable to make ahead/store.
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Show more commentsI made this last night and it’s a winner. Chicken breasts rarely work for me - too dry and boring. But this was delicious, golden skinned, flavourful chicken with a moreish sauce, that was tasty without the need for any cream. It worked brilliantly even though I tripled the recipe. Doing that can often be disastrous but not with this recipe. Another perfectNigella staple to be made regularly, thank you!
My partner is in hospital and today was also the day of the Queen's Funeral and I genuinely didn't know what I felt like eating. Nigella's Chicken with Red Grapes and Marsala popped into my inbox as Recipe of the Day and I realized I had everything except the chicken. Well! This beautiful recipe cheered me up no end. So easy to make yet presents like a sophisticated Autumn meal in a luxury country house. Can't wait to make this for friends and family. Perfect for the day in it.
Made this tonight with just chicken fillets with new potatoes and peas. Was delicious!
This was delicious & easy to prepare, especially when I get home from work & have three little ones to contend with too. Will DEFINITELY having this one again! Thank you for a great recipe!
Absolutely beautiful and super easy. Makes me look like Queen of the kitchen. Thanks so much
Delicious as always from Nigella. I couldn’t get supremes unless I went to the butchers. Skin on, bone in thighs worked well though. Fast to prepare too - always good with a toddler in tow!