Easy Chicken and Spiced Plum Casserole Recipe

This Chicken and Spiced Plum Casserole is the ultimate weeknight dinner, blending the rich flavors of seasonal plums with tender chicken. A family favorite that promises a delicious, easy-to-make meal perfect for any occasion.

From mid-summer to early fall, this juicy stone fruit takes center stage in our kitchen, offering a perfect blend of sweetness and tartness that can enhance (almost) any dish. Whether enjoyed fresh as a snack or in a salad, baked into sweet treats, or incorporated into savory meals, plums have a unique way of capturing the essence of the season.

This tangy-sweet plum-spiced chicken traybake is perfect for busy weeknights or those lazy weekends when you crave a delicious, no-fuss one-pot wonder. Doubling the recipe means you’re set for delicious leftovers, making tomorrow’s meal just as exciting as today's. 

With just a handful of ingredients, this casserole is a testament to how simplicity can lead to the most flavorful and satisfying dishes. Let’s celebrate and enjoy the season’s best!

Jump to:

• Why You Will Love This Recipe
• Ingredients
• Instructions
• How To Know When Chicken Is Cooked
• Variations
• What To Serve With This Chicken Casserole
• Wine Pairing Suggestion
• Storage Instructions
• Easy Chicken and Spiced Plum Casserole Recipe

Why You Will Love This Recipe

• Easy: This recipe simplifies gourmet cooking, requiring minimal prep and straightforward steps, making it perfect for any skill level.
• Seasonal: Featuring ripe plums, this dish is a celebration of seasonal produce, ensuring you get the best flavors while supporting local produce cycles.
• Healthy with a Twist of Indulgence: This casserole offers a balanced meal that feels indulgent without compromising on nutrition.
• One-Pot Wonder: With everything cooked in a single casserole dish, cleanup is a breeze, leaving you more time to relax and enjoy your evening.

Ingredients

• Free Range Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks: Serve as the hearty base of the casserole, offering rich flavors and tender meat.
• Red Wine: Adds a complex, deep flavor to the marinade, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
• Honey: Provides a hint of sweetness that balances the savory elements.
• Whole Grain Mustard: Gives the dish a tangy depth.
• Whole Star Anise and Cinnamon Stick: These spices introduce a warm, aromatic complexity to the marinade, infusing the chicken with layers of flavor.
• Red Onions and Garlic Cloves: Act as a flavor foundation, offering sweetness and pungency that permeate the dish.
• Ripe Plums: Contribute a sweet-tartness that complements the savory chicken, adding a unique twist to the casserole.
• Bay Leaves, Fresh Thyme, and Fresh Italian Parsley: These herbs provide aromatic freshness, with each adding its own distinct flavor profile to enhance the casserole.
• Chicken Stock: Enhances the dish's moisture and richness, ensuring the casserole is both flavorful and succulent.
• Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used for its rich flavor and to help cook the chicken to perfection.
• Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance and balance all the flavors within the casserole.

See the recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Marinade Preparation

Combine red wine, honey, mustard, and spices in a small bowl.

Marinate Chicken

Toss chicken, onion, garlic, bay leaves and thyme with the marinade in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30-60 minutes, or overnight.

Preheat Oven 

Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).

Assemble Casserole 

In a large casserole dish, layer plums, thyme and chicken stock. Add the marinated chicken and plum mixture to the dish. (Ensure the chicken pieces are skin side up) 

Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken pieces and generously season with salt and pepper.

Bake 

Cook uncovered until chicken is golden brown and plums are soft and Jamy.

Rest 

Let the casserole settle and the chicken rest for 5 minutes after baking, then remove whole spices and bay leaves.

Serve 

Garnish with parsley and serve with your favorite sides.

How To Know When Chicken Is Cooked

Ensuring your chicken is fully cooked is crucial not only for the flavor and texture of your dish but also for food safety reasons. The perfect chicken casserole should feature meat that's juicy and tender, without a hint of pink in the middle. 

Here’s two reliable methods to check whether your chicken has reached the ideal doneness:

Food Thermometer

Using a food thermometer is the most accurate way to ensure your chicken is cooked safely and deliciously. 

For chicken thighs:

• Insert the thermometer into the thickest part of the thigh, avoiding the bone.
• Wait until the temperature reads at least 73°C (165°F), as recommended by food safety experts.
• Check a couple of pieces to ensure even cooking throughout the casserole.

Without a Food Thermometer

If you don’t have a food thermometer, there are still easy ways to judge if your chicken is cooked:

• Look for clear juices when you pierce the thigh with a knife; pink juices indicate it needs more time.
• The meat should pull away easily from the bone, and there should be no pink meat visible.
• The chicken's texture should be firm, not rubbery or overly soft.

Variations

These variations encourage experimentation in the kitchen, allowing you to adapt the recipe to suit different tastes or occasions while maintaining the essence of the original dish. Whether you're craving the exotic flavors of distant lands or the comforting taste of familiar ingredients, there's a version of this casserole that's sure to satisfy. 

Here are a few ideas to get creative with this versatile recipe:

• Middle Eastern Twist: Incorporate sumac, cinnamon, and lemon zest to infuse your dish with vibrant Middle Eastern flavors. 
• Asian Influence: Swap in soy sauce and fresh ginger for the marinade, and garnish with green onions and sesame seeds. A hint of Chinese five-spice powder can beautifully complement the plums.
• Slow Cooker Adaptation: For a hands-off approach, use boneless and skinless chicken thighs in your slow cooker. 
• Whole Chicken Showstopper: Use a whole chicken instead of chicken pieces and stick to the original recipe. You might need to add a little more time to the cooking time (10-15 minutes). This creates an impressive centerpiece for any meal.

What To Serve With This Chicken Casserole

• Steamed Basmati Rice: Its light, fluffy texture makes it an ideal canvas for soaking up the rich, fruity sauce.
• Creamy Mashed Potatoes: A classic choice, its creamy texture complements the tender, flavorful chicken.
• Crusty Bread: Perfect for mopping up the delicious sauce, ensuring you enjoy every last drop.
• Couscous: Quick to prepare, absorbing the casserole's flavors while adding a unique texture.
• Quinoa: Offers a nutty flavor and wholesome texture, complementing the casserole's hearty essence.
• Blanched Green Beans: A vibrant, crisp side that adds a fresh contrast to the dish's deep flavors.
• Sautéed Carrots: Gently sautéed to enhance their natural sweetness, pairing perfectly with the tanginess of the plums.
• Simple Salad: A crisp, light salad with vinaigrette balances the richness of the casserole.

Wine Pairing Suggestion

Selecting the right wine can elevate your Chicken and Spiced Plum Casserole to new culinary heights. Here are three top picks:

• Pinot Noir: A medium-bodied wine with acidity and fruity notes of cherries and plums, ideal for complementing the casserole's flavors.
• Grenache: A perfect match with its spicy berry flavors, medium body, and soft tannins, complementing the dish's sweet plums and aromatic spices.
• Syrah (Shiraz): Offers bold dark fruit and pepper notes, with a full body that pairs well with the casserole's savory and sweet elements.

Storage Instructions

In The Fridge : Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days to maintain freshness.

How To Reheat This Chicken and Spiced Plum Casserole

• In the Oven (Best Option) : Place the leftovers in an oven-proof dish, cover with foil, and reheat at 180°C (356°F) for 20-30 minutes or until warmed through. This method helps retain moisture and keeps the flavors intact.

• In the Microwave  : While quick and convenient, reheating in the microwave may not preserve the chicken skin crispiness. If opting for this method, cover the dish and heat in short intervals, stirring occasionally to ensure even warming.

Wrapping up, our Easy Chicken and Spiced Plum Casserole recipe promises a tasty meal that's both comforting and exciting, perfect for any night of the week. With its blend of seasonal flavors, easy preparation, and versatile wine pairing options, it's sure to become a cherished addition to your culinary repertoire. 

Don’t forget to share your experiences and any personal twists you've added to the recipe in the comments below. We love hearing from you and seeing how our dishes come to life in your kitchen. 

Happy cooking, and here's to many more flavorful adventures together!

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The nutrition is an estimate only. It was calculated using Nutrifox, an online nutrition calculator.