Chicken With Plums
A hearty chicken and plum dish with rich flavors of red wine, spices, and sweet-tart plums, perfect for comforting family dinners or special occasions.
Ingredients
- 2 fryer chickens, cut into quarters ⓘ
- 1/2 cup flour
- 2 (16 oz.) cans plums, pitted and drained ⓘ
- 2 cups red wine ⓘ
- 1/4 cup minced onion ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons white vinegar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch ⓘ
- 4 minced garlic cloves ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 8 whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- 1/2 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
Instructions
- Skin the chicken and coat it with flour.
- Brown the chicken in a skillet, then place it in a baking dish.
- Combine the remaining ingredients: plums, red wine, minced onion, white vinegar, brown sugar, cornstarch, minced garlic, salt, cloves, ginger, dry mustard, oregano, and pepper.
- Pour the mixture over the chicken.
- Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 50 minutes.
Tips & Substitutions
For a gluten-free option, substitute the flour with cornstarch or a gluten-free flour blend. You can also use fresh plums if in season; just adjust the cooking time slightly. For added flavor, marinate the chicken in the red wine and spices for a few hours before cooking. This dish can also be prepared with chicken thighs for a juicier result.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Chicken With Plums over a bed of rice or alongside roasted vegetables for a balanced meal. A light salad or steamed greens pairs well to complement the dish's rich flavors. This dish also goes great with bread to soak up the sauce. For a delightful twist, consider pairing it with Chicken Breasts With Angel Hair Pasta.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the chicken and sauce in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil, and warm in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) until heated through, about 20-25 minutes.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken With Plums contains roughly 681 calories, with 18g protein, 152g carbohydrates, and 6g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (141% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (131% of the Daily Value), and vitamin C (112% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 2262mg per serving (98% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh plums instead of canned?
Yes, you can substitute fresh plums for canned ones. Just make sure to pit and slice them, and you may need to adjust the cooking time slightly to ensure they soften properly during baking.
What can I serve with this dish?
This dish is versatile and pairs beautifully with grain sides like couscous or quinoa. You might also consider serving it with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables to balance the richness of the chicken and plums.
Can I prepare this dish in advance?
Absolutely! You can marinate the chicken and prepare the plum sauce the day before. Just assemble everything in the baking dish and cover it tightly. On the day of serving, pop it in the oven and bake as directed for a convenient meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).