This oven-baked chicken recipe is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make with garlic, olive oil, white wine, and simple spices. With just 5 minutes of prep, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
Looking for an easy baked chicken recipe that's full of flavor? This Portuguese-style oven-baked chicken is a simple and comforting dinner made with chicken, garlic, olive oil, white wine, and a few simple and delicious spices.
The chicken is marinated before baking, allowing the flavors to soak in and keeping the meat juicy and tender. It then bakes until golden brown, creating a flavorful sauce that's perfect for drizzling over the chicken.
With just a few simple ingredients and minimal prep, this easy oven-baked chicken is perfect for a weeknight dinner, family meal, or relaxed Sunday lunch. Serve it with Crispy Fries, Roasted Potatoes, Green Peas Rice, or a simple green salad for a complete meal.
If you’re looking for juicy, flavorful, and budget-friendly chicken meals, here are three easy chicken recipes for dinner: Chicken Spaghetti, Portuguese Chicken and Rice Soup, and Chicken Stew with Vegetables (Frango à Jardineira). These delicious and comforting recipes are perfect for busy weeknights when you need a simple, satisfying meal the whole family will enjoy.
Ingredients for Oven-Baked Chicken
Here you'll find all the ingredients needed to make this recipe:
- Chicken - The main protein of the recipe, becoming tender, juicy, and flavorful as it bakes.
- White wine - Adds acidity and a subtle fruity flavor while helping create a delicious sauce.
- Olive oil - Adds richness and helps keep the chicken moist while enhancing the flavors of the seasonings.
- Pepper - Adds a flavorful spicy touch and enhances the overall taste of the chicken.
- Nutmeg - Adds a delicious aromatic flavor that complements the chicken.
- Bay leaf - Infuses the chicken with an herbal and earthy aroma.
- Garlic - Adds a savory and aromatic flavor that pairs especially well with the chicken and olive oil.
- Salt - Enhances all the flavors and highlights the natural taste of the chicken and other ingredients.
Below you’ll find the correct measurement of all ingredients and the step-by-step guide for this recipe.
HOW TO MAKE EASY BAKED CHICKEN
Step 1: Place the chicken in a baking dish and season with white wine, salt, pepper, nutmeg, crushed unpeeled garlic, bay leaf, and olive oil. Let it marinate for about 1 hour.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF).
Step 3: Bake the chicken until golden brown, about 1 hour. Occasionally, spoon the flavorful sauce over the chicken as it cooks to keep it moist and add extra flavor.
Step 4: Turn off the oven and serve the chicken with roasted potatoes, green peas rice, or mashed potatoes.
Variations
• Lemon Garlic Baked Chicken. Add fresh lemon juice and lemon zest to the marinade for a more citrusy and intense flavor.
• Baked Chicken with herbs. Add dried oregano, thyme, rosemary, or a combination of your favorite herbs.
• Spicy Baked Chicken. Add paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, or a little cayenne pepper for an extra touch of spicy flavor.
• Baked Chicken with Potatoes. Add chunks of potatoes to the baking dish so they roast in the flavorful chicken juices.
• Chicken Thighs. Use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs instead of a whole chicken cut into pieces. They're flavorful, affordable, and particularly suitable for baking in the oven.
Tips for Better Results
• Don't skip the marinade. Marinating the chicken helps infuse it with more flavor while keeping it tender and juicy.
• Baste the chicken. Occasionally spoon the flavorful sauce over the chicken while it bakes. This helps keep the chicken moist and adds even more flavor.
• Check the temperature. Cooking time can vary depending on the size of the chicken pieces. Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the thickest part of the chicken reaches 75°C (165°F).
• Don't overcrowd the pan. Arrange the chicken pieces in a single layer with some space between them. This helps the chicken roast and brown instead of simply steaming.
• Add potatoes for a complete meal. Add chunks of potatoes to the baking dish so they roast alongside the chicken and soak up all the delicious juices.
FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs for this recipe?
Yes. Chicken thighs are an excellent choice because they stay juicy and flavorful during baking. Bone-in, skin-on thighs will give you especially good flavor and nicely browned skin.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of chicken pieces?
Yes, you can. However, chicken breasts cook faster and can dry out more easily. Spoon the flavorful sauce over the chicken several times while it bakes, and reduce the cooking time. Check the chicken for doneness to avoid overcooking it.
Should I marinate the chicken before baking?
Yes. Marinating the chicken for about 1 hour gives the garlic, white wine, olive oil, and spices more time to flavor the meat.
Can I make this baked chicken without white wine?
Yes. You can replace the white wine with lemon juice, orange juice, or a tablespoon of honey if you prefer not to use wine. The flavor will be slightly different, but the chicken will still be delicious.
What should I serve with baked chicken?
This chicken pairs well with French fries, roasted potatoes, rice, mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.
How do I keep baked chicken juicy?
Don't overcook the chicken and occasionally baste the chicken sauce while it bakes. Letting the chicken marinate before cooking also helps develop flavor.
You May Also Like
- Homemade chicken with poached eggs
- Portuguese peri-peri chicken (Portuguese grilled chicken)
- Tender and juicy baked chicken leg quarters
- Honey lemon roast chicken
- Easy baked chicken with lemon and garlic sauce
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Oven-Baked Chicken
This oven-baked chicken recipe is juicy, flavorful, and incredibly easy to make with garlic, olive oil, white wine, and simple spices. With just 5 minutes of prep, it’s the perfect weeknight dinner for the whole family.
- 1.5 kg (3 1/3 pounds) chicken cut into pieces
- 100 ml (1/2 cup) white wine
- 125 ml (1/2 cup) olive oil
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 2 bay leaves
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 teaspoon salt
- Place the chicken in a baking dish and season with white wine, salt, pepper, nutmeg, crushed unpeeled garlic, bay leaf, and olive oil. Let it marinate for about 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 180ºC (350ºF).
- Bake the chicken until golden brown, about 1 hour. Occasionally, spoon the flavorful sauce over the chicken as it cooks to keep it moist and add extra flavor.
- Turn off the oven and serve the chicken with your favorite side dishes.
