Pollo al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Chicken)
Local name: Pollo al ajillo
In short: Chicken pieces browned in olive oil and braised with plenty of garlic, white wine and thyme until tender, a simple Spanish family dish. It takes about 1 h 35 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 35 min
- Cook
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 35 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 435 kcal
Pollo al ajillo is chicken cooked with garlic, and in Spain that means a lot of it, often a whole head. The pieces are browned in olive oil, then cooked gently with white wine and herbs until the sauce turns glossy. The garlic turns sweet and soft, and you can mash it onto bread. It is simple weeknight food in Castile and Andalusia, and it is eaten with fried potatoes or rice.
Instructions
- Season the chicken with the salt and pepper and leave it at room temperature for 20 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a wide heavy skillet or cazuela over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken skin-side down in two batches, 5 to 6 minutes per side, until deep golden. Set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the garlic, bay leaf, thyme and chili and cook for 2 minutes, until the garlic is golden at the edges. Return the chicken to the pan.
- Pour in the wine and simmer for 2 minutes. Add the stock, partly cover and cook on low for 25 to 30 minutes, turning once, until the chicken reaches 74°C (165°F) and the juices run clear.
- If the sauce is thin, uncover for the last 5 minutes. Scatter with parsley and serve with fried potatoes, rice or bread.
Tips
- Leave the garlic in its skin for a milder, sweeter taste. Keep the heat moderate so the garlic does not scorch and turn bitter.
- Dry sherry or brandy can replace the white wine. Add a squeeze of lemon at the end if the sauce tastes heavy.
Questions and answers
Can I use chicken breasts for pollo al ajillo?
Bone-in thighs and drumsticks stay juicier. If you use breasts, cut them into large chunks and shorten the simmering time to about 15 minutes.
Is pollo al ajillo too garlicky?
Slow cooking mellows the garlic to a sweet, nutty flavor. If you prefer less, use 6 cloves, though 12 is traditional for 4 servings.
What do you serve with garlic chicken?
Fried potatoes or white rice, and bread for the sauce. A green salad dressed with sherry vinegar balances the richness.
How long does it take to make Pollo al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Chicken)?
About 1 h 35 min in total: 35 min of preparation and 1 h of cooking.
How many calories are in Pollo al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Chicken)?
About 435 kcal per serving, with 32 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 32 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 435 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32 g |
| Carbohydrates | 4 g |
| Fat | 32 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 1 g |
| Sodium | 1000 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
