Easy Jamie Oliver Chicken and Aubergine Recipe to Love

Jamie Oliver’s chicken and aubergine transforms ordinary ingredients into a culinary masterpiece that dances with Mediterranean flavors.

Warm spices weave through tender meat and silky vegetables, creating a comforting dish that feels like a Mediterranean journey.

Succulent chicken pieces mingle with creamy aubergine slices, developing rich, complex layers of taste.

Subtle hints of cinnamon and fragrant herbs elevate this stew from simple to spectacular.

Each bite tells a story of rustic cooking traditions and bold seasoning techniques.

The slow-cooked method allows flavors to meld and intensify, promising a deeply satisfying meal.

Hearty and soul-warming, this recipe brings the essence of Mediterranean cuisine directly to your kitchen: prepare to be transported.

Ideas for a Fantastic Jamie Oliver Chicken and Aubergine

• Capture Herb Freshness: Chop herbs moments before adding to lock in their vibrant flavors and aromatic essence.
• Maximize Tomato Sweetness: Select sun-ripened, deeply colored tomatoes bursting with natural sugars and intense taste.
• Elevate Pine Nut Crunch: Gently toast nuts in a dry skillet until golden brown, releasing their nutty, buttery potential.
• Balance Chicken Moisture: Thoroughly pat chicken dry with paper towels, ensuring a crisp, golden exterior during cooking.
• Perfect Aubergine Preparation: Create uniform 5cm slices to guarantee even cooking and a consistently delightful texture.

Storing Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Aubergine

• Freezer Batching: Divide the chicken and aubergine stew into single-serving freezer-safe containers. Label each container with the date and contents to track freshness. Freeze flat to maximize storage space and ensure quick thawing when needed.
• Refrigeration Strategy: Store leftovers in a glass or ceramic airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Place in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maintain optimal flavor and texture. Consume within 3 days for the best taste and food safety.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen portions overnight in the refrigerator for even heating. Warm gently in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of water or broth if the stew seems dry, helping restore its original moisture and prevent burning.

Flavor Twists on Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Aubergine

• Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Swap cinnamon with fresh rosemary and thyme, adding a robust herbal complexity to the chicken and aubergine dish.
• Spicy Moroccan Style: Replace chilies with harissa paste and add cumin and paprika for a bold North African flavor profile that elevates the entire meal.
• Vegetarian Mediterranean Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or chickpeas, maintaining the original cooking technique and vegetable blend while creating a protein-rich plant-based alternative.
• Greek-Inspired Version: Incorporate crumbled feta cheese, kalamata olives, and additional oregano during the final baking stage to bring a classic Greek essence to the recipe.

Concluding Note on Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Aubergine

Mediterranean culinary magic emerges through Jamie Oliver’s masterful chicken and aubergine recipe.

Sensational flavors dance across plates, revealing complex Mediterranean traditions.

Mediterranean ingredients whisper stories of sun-drenned landscapes and coastal kitchens.

Harmonious spices blend seamlessly, creating a symphony of taste sensations.

Chicken becomes tender, aubergines melt with rich depth, transforming simple ingredients into extraordinary experiences.

Passionate cooks can recreate this Mediterranean marvel – share this recipe, spark conversations, inspire kitchen adventures, and spread delicious joy with fellow culinary enthusiasts.

Why Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Aubergine Dish Is Worth Trying

• Savor Flavor Explosion: This Jamie Oliver recipe delivers an incredible taste adventure with layered Mediterranean ingredients like caramelized onions, aromatic herbs, and zesty lemon that dance together beautifully on your palate.
• Masterful One-Pan Convenience: The cooking method transforms a single pan into a complete meal, minimizing dishwashing while maximizing flavor development through strategic ingredient layering and heat techniques.
• Nutritious Balanced Meal: Packed with lean protein from chicken, healthy fats from pine nuts, and low-calorie aubergines, this dish offers a nutritionally dense dinner that keeps you satisfied without feeling heavy, making it perfect for health-conscious food lovers.
• Stress-Free Cooking Experience: With straightforward steps and minimal complex techniques, even home cooks with moderate skills can create a restaurant-quality meal in under an hour, proving gourmet cooking doesn't require professional training.

Key Elements for Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Aubergine

• Chicken: Lean protein that provides the main substance of the dish, best when using boneless, skinless chicken thighs for more flavor.
• Pine Nuts: Adds nutty richness and texture to the protein component.

• Aubergine (Eggplant): Provides a meaty texture and absorbs flavors beautifully, choose firm and glossy eggplants.
• Onions: Adds sweetness and depth when caramelized, selecting fresh yellow onions recommended.
• Garlic: Provides intense aromatic base, fresh cloves will give the best flavor.
• Chilies: Brings heat and complexity to the dish, adjust quantity based on personal spice preference.
• Capers: Introduces briny, tangy element to enhance overall flavor profile.

• Sea Salt: Essential for seasoning and drawing moisture out of vegetables.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm, subtle spice to complement the Mediterranean flavors.
• Herbs: Provides fresh aromatic notes, can use mixed Mediterranean herbs.
• Basil Leaves: Fresh garnish that adds bright, aromatic finish.
• Lemon Juice: Adds brightness and helps balance the rich flavors.

• Olive Oil: Fundamental for cooking and adding richness.
• Tomatoes: Creates the sauce base and adds moisture to the dish.
• Water: Helps create the cooking liquid and ensures proper braising.

Process for Cooking Jamie Oliver’s Chicken and Aubergine

Step 1: Prepare Aubergines

Cut aubergines into 5 cm rough chunks. Sprinkle with sea salt and let sit for 10 minutes to remove excess moisture.

Step 2: Sear Chicken

Drizzle chicken pieces with olive oil. Cook in a large skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown. Transfer to a separate plate.

Step 3: Roast Aubergines

Pat aubergines dry with paper towels. Sauté in the same skillet until lightly caramelized. Remove and set aside.

Step 4: Create Flavor Base

• Sliced garlic
• Chopped chilies
• Ground cinnamon
• Fresh herbs
• Capers
• Sliced onions

Cook until onions become soft and slightly golden.

Step 5: Combine And Bake

• Chopped tomatoes
• Toasted pine nuts
• Fresh lemon juice
• Water

Transfer to oven and bake for 45 minutes until golden and bubbling. Garnish with fresh basil leaves. Serve alongside Mediterranean couscous.

Jamie Oliver Chicken And Aubergine Recipe

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4.6 from 27 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Jamie Oliver’s chicken and aubergine dish delivers Mediterranean magic with rustic charm. Juicy chicken mingles with smoky roasted aubergine, creating a simple yet sophisticated meal that transports you straight to a sunny Italian countryside.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 whole free-range chicken, 1.4 kg (3.1 lbs), jointed
• 3 aubergines (eggplants), 750g (26.5 oz) total
• 2 red onions
• 200g (7 oz) ripe cherry tomatoes

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 2 garlic cloves
• 3 small fresh red chilies
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 4 sprigs of fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, bay)
• 4 sprigs of fresh basil

Additional Ingredients:

• Olive oil
• 50g (1.8 oz) baby capers in brine
• 50g (1.8 oz) pine nuts
• 2 lemons

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Instructions

1. Cut aubergines (eggplants) into irregular 5 centimeters (2 inches) chunks, sprinkle with sea salt, and allow to rest for 10 minutes to draw out excess moisture.
2. Massage chicken pieces with extra virgin olive oil and sear in a large skillet over medium-high heat until achieving a golden-brown exterior. Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate.
3. Gently blot aubergine pieces with paper towels to remove excess salt, then sauté in the same skillet until developing a light golden color and slightly softened. Remove and set aside.
4. Reduce skillet heat to medium-low. Introduce minced garlic, sliced red chilies, ground cinnamon, fresh herbs, and briny capers into the pan.
5. Add thinly sliced onions and cook until they become translucent and develop caramelized edges.
6. Preheat conventional oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).
7. Return chicken and aubergine pieces to the skillet. Pour in diced tomatoes, scatter toasted pine nuts, and drizzle fresh lemon juice.
8. Add 600 milliliters (20 fluid ounces) of water, ensuring ingredients are well-distributed.
9. Transfer skillet to preheated oven and bake for 45 minutes until chicken is tender and surface appears golden and slightly crisp.
10. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve alongside Mediterranean-style couscous.

Notes

• Carefully choose glossy, firm aubergines to guarantee exceptional flavor and perfect vegetable texture in this Mediterranean culinary adventure.
• Thoroughly dry chicken pieces before cooking to lock in succulent juices and achieve a mouthwatering golden-brown exterior.
• Sprinkle salt on aubergine slices to extract excess moisture, concentrating their rich, earthy flavor and preventing disappointing sogginess.
• Opt for a spacious pan that allows proper browning, creating deep caramelized edges that transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary bites.
• Scatter fresh herbs and briny capers to introduce vibrant, zesty notes that elevate the entire dish from simple to sensational.
• Sprinkle toasted pine nuts for a delicate crunch that perfectly balances the tender chicken and silky aubergine textures.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour1
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking, Roasting
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg