Oven-baked chicken with apple and celery

Oven-baked chicken with apple and celery - A delicious and healthy recipe for the whole family

Today, I invite you to discover together a simple yet spectacular recipe that will transform an ordinary meal into a tasty and healthy feast. The oven-baked chicken with apple and celery is a perfect combination of flavors and textures that will surely impress family and friends. This recipe does not require advanced cooking skills, so anyone can successfully prepare it.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Marinating time: 2 hours (or preferably overnight)
Baking time: 45-50 minutes
Total time: Approximately 3 hours (including marinating)
Number of servings: 4-6

To obtain tender and flavorful chicken, it is essential to marinate it before baking. Marinating not only enhances the taste but also helps tenderize the meat. Here’s how to proceed:

Ingredients needed

- 1 whole chicken (1.2-1.5 kg)
- 1 celery root (400-500 g)
- 3-4 celery stalks
- 2 large apples
- 1 head of garlic
- 1/2 red bell pepper
- 2 teaspoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon vegetable/chicken/mushroom stock concentrate
- 50 ml wine (white, dry or semi-dry)
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 30 g butter
- Salt and pepper, to taste

Step by step

1. Preparing the marinade: In a large bowl that is the right size to fit the chicken, combine the wine, olive oil, thyme, paprika, ketchup, parsley, salt, and pepper. Add 8-10 finely chopped garlic cloves and mix all the ingredients well to obtain a uniform marinade.

2. Marinating the chicken: Wash the chicken under cold water and dry it with paper towels. Place it in the bowl with the marinade and massage it well on all sides, including inside, so it absorbs all the flavors. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the chicken marinate in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, but it’s even better if you let it marinate overnight.

3. Preparing the vegetables: While the chicken is marinating, peel and chop the celery into large pieces. Also, cut the apples into 7-8 slices and the bell pepper into 3-4 pieces. You can leave the celery leaves whole or cut them into smaller sizes, according to preference.

4. Arranging in the baking dish: After the chicken has marinated, preheat the oven to 180°C. Place the chicken in a heat-resistant dish (a pot or a Dutch oven). Add the unpeeled garlic cloves, crushed with the side of a knife, the remaining marinade, a few celery leaves, and the pieces of bell pepper.

5. Stuffing the chicken: Fill the inside of the chicken with pieces of celery and apples. You can arrange the remaining sliced apples and celery around the chicken to bake together.

6. Adding butter and water: Distribute the butter over the thighs and breast of the chicken to give it a delicious crust. Add water up to 2/3 of the height of the dish so that the chicken cooks evenly and remains juicy.

7. Baking: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 45-50 minutes. During this time, baste the chicken with the sauce from the dish every 15 minutes to prevent it from drying out. If you notice that the breast browns too quickly, you can turn it with the breast side down into the sauce.

8. Serving: Once the chicken is ready, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes. Portion the chicken and serve it on plates, alongside the caramelized apple and celery pieces, bell pepper, and garlic cloves from the dish. This dish is delicious, tender, and packed with unmistakable flavors.

Personal tip

To add a touch of freshness, sprinkle a little chopped fresh parsley on top of the chicken before serving. This detail will enhance the flavors and provide a pleasant contrast.

Variations and suggestions

If you want to experiment, you can replace the apples with peaches or pears, which will add a note of sweetness and a unique taste. Additionally, adding spices like cinnamon or ginger to the marinade will give an interesting twist to the dish.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another type of meat?
Of course! This recipe can also be adapted for turkey or boneless chicken, but the baking time will change.

2. How can I make the chicken even more flavorful?
Experiment with different herbs like rosemary or basil in the marinade for a more complex taste.

3. What side dish pairs best?
A fresh green salad or mashed potatoes are excellent accompaniments for this dish.

Nutritional benefits

Chicken is an excellent source of lean protein, and adding vegetables like celery and apples provides important vitamins and minerals. Additionally, garlic has antioxidant properties and is known for its heart health benefits.

Conclusion

Oven-baked chicken with apple and celery is an easy-to-make recipe, full of flavors and healthy, perfect for family meals or special occasions. With a little patience in marinating and a few simple ingredients, you will create an extraordinary dish that will surely leave a lasting impression. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 1 chicken weighing 1.2-1.5 kg, 1 celery root weighing 400-500 g, 3-4 celery leaves with stems, 2 large apples, 1 head of garlic, 1/2 red bell pepper, 2 teaspoons ketchup, 1 teaspoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried), 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1 teaspoon thyme, 1 teaspoon vegetable/chicken/mushroom concentrate, 50 ml wine, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 30 g butter, salt and pepper to taste.