Chicken with olives

Olive Chicken Recipe (Dajaj bi Zaitoun)

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Olive chicken is a delicious and simple recipe that combines the intense flavors of spices with the juiciness of chicken meat. This dish is perfect for a quick dinner but also for special occasions. Here’s how to achieve a perfect result step by step.

Ingredients:
- 4 pieces of chicken thighs (or chicken breast, as preferred)
- 4 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 200 g green or black olives, pitted
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley, for garnish

Preparation:
1. Start by preparing the ingredients. Make sure the olives are pitted and the cherry tomatoes are fresh, as they will add a touch of sweetness to the dish.
2. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and sauté for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown on all sides. This step is essential for sealing in the juices of the meat. Once done, remove them from the skillet and place them in a baking dish.
3. In the same skillet, add the remaining olive oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 3-4 minutes until translucent. This will bring the base flavors of the dish to life.
4. Add the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper, mixing well. Add the cherry tomatoes and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
5. Pour the vegetable mixture over the chicken in the baking dish and add the olives. Make sure the chicken is well covered with the sauce.
6. Preheat the oven to 180°C and bake the chicken for 30 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the juices run clear. Always check with a cooking thermometer; the internal temperature of the chicken should be 75°C.
7. Once the chicken is done, remove it from the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

Serving suggestion:
Serve the olive chicken alongside basmati rice or couscous to soak up the delicious sauce. You can garnish with chopped fresh parsley, which will add a touch of freshness and color.

Possible variations:
For an even more exotic touch, you can add a few slices of lemon or even some toasted almonds during baking. You can also replace the olives with capers for a saltier, more intense flavor.

This Olive Chicken is a simple and quick recipe, perfect for a family dinner or to impress guests. Its rich flavors and combination of ingredients make it a special dish, and you will be proud of the final result. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 5 tablespoons of oil, 1 chicken cut into 8 pieces, 1 large onion, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 green bell pepper, 1 can of diced tomatoes, 1 fresh red tomato chopped, Kalamata olives, salt, pepper, saffron, 2 bay leaves, 1.2 teaspoons of ginger.