Can I use boneless chicken instead of chicken quarters?

While you can use boneless chicken thighs, I strongly recommend sticking with bone-in pieces. The bones add tremendous flavor during the long braise and help keep the meat moist. If you do use boneless pieces, reduce the braising time to about 45 minutes to prevent the chicken from becoming too dry.

I don't drink alcohol. What can I substitute for the white wine?

No problem! Replace the white wine with additional chicken broth plus 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the acidity that wine provides. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I make this in a slow cooker instead of the oven?

Absolutely! Brown the chicken and follow steps 1-4 as written, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender. The sauce may be thinner in a slow cooker, so you might want to remove the chicken after cooking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop to reduce it slightly.

How spicy is this dish with the Calabrian chili?

As written, the dish has a moderate heat that builds pleasantly. Calabrian chilies are known for their fruity flavor as much as their heat. If you're sensitive to spice, start with half the amount and adjust to your taste. Remember that the spiciness will mellow somewhat during the long cooking process.

Sicilian Braised Chicken Recipe

Name: Sicilian Braised Chicken Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 30 min
Total time: 1 h 50 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 2 oz. prosciutto; 6 chicken quarters; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste; 1 red onion, sliced; 10 garlic cloves, smashed; 24 oz. cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/3 cup Calabrian chili, minced; 1 cup white wine; 3 cups chicken broth + 1/2 cup water; 2 cups white beans, drained and rinsed; 3/4 cup roasted red peppers, finely diced; 1/2 cup golden raisins; 1/2 cup Italian green olives, chopped; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 sprigs rosemary; 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, minced; 1/2 lemon, juiced

This Sicilian Braised Chicken is a mouthwatering Mediterranean masterpiece that brings together sweet, savory, and spicy flavors in perfect harmony. The chicken slowly braises until fall-off-the-bone tender, while absorbing the rich flavors of prosciutto, white wine, olives, and a hint of cinnamon. It’s a one-pot wonder that tastes like it took all day but is surprisingly manageable for even a weeknight dinner. The combination of ingredients creates a robust sauce that’s ideal for sopping up with crusty bread!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Incredible Depth of Flavor: The combination of prosciutto, Calabrian chili, olives, and cinnamon creates a uniquely Sicilian flavor profile that’s both familiar and exciting.
Impressive Yet Approachable: This dish looks and tastes like something from a high-end Italian restaurant, but the preparation is straightforward enough for home cooks.
One-Pot Wonder: Everything cooks in a single pot, meaning less cleanup and more time to enjoy your delicious creation.
Perfect for Entertaining: This recipe serves 6-8 people and can be made ahead of time, making it perfect for dinner parties or family gatherings.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Chicken quarters: The dark meat becomes incredibly tender during the long braise and adds richness to the sauce. Bone-in, skin-on pieces are essential here for maximum flavor.
Prosciutto: Creates a savory base for the dish and provides crispy bits for garnish that add textural contrast.
Red onion: Offers a slightly sweeter flavor than yellow onions and beautiful color in the dish.
Garlic cloves: Smashed rather than minced to release their flavor more gently throughout the cooking process.
Cherry tomatoes: These break down during cooking to form part of the sauce, adding natural sweetness and acidity.
Calabrian chili: Brings a distinctive spicy kick that’s characteristic of Southern Italian cooking. Adjust amount to your heat preference.
White wine: Adds acidity and depth while helping to deglaze all those flavorful browned bits from the bottom of the pot.
White beans: Provide heartiness and absorb the flavors of the sauce while adding protein and fiber.
Golden raisins: A classic Sicilian ingredient that adds sweet little bursts throughout the dish.
Green olives: Contribute brininess and unmistakable Mediterranean flavor.
Cinnamon: Just a touch adds warmth and complexity that’s characteristic of Sicilian cooking, influenced by North African cuisine.
Rosemary: Infuses the dish with an aromatic, woody flavor that complements the chicken beautifully.
Lemon juice: Added at the end to brighten all the flavors and cut through the richness.

Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Variations

Different Proteins

Substitute the chicken quarters with chicken thighs only if you prefer, or try this braise with lamb shanks for an equally delicious but different approach.

Bean Alternatives

Cannellini beans work perfectly, but chickpeas make a wonderful substitute if that’s what you have on hand.

Heat Level Adjustments

If Calabrian chilies are unavailable, substitute with red pepper flakes and a bit of tomato paste. For a milder version, reduce the amount of chili or substitute with roasted red peppers.

Add More Vegetables

Incorporate diced eggplant, zucchini, or bell peppers when sautéing the onions for extra vegetables and flavor.

How to Make Sicilian Braised Chicken

Step 1: Crisp the Prosciutto

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the sliced prosciutto and cook until crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate and set aside for garnish.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

Season chicken quarters generously with salt and pepper on both sides. Place them skin-side down in the hot oil and prosciutto fat. Cook for 4-6 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side for the same amount of time. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Build the Flavor Base

Add sliced red onion and smashed garlic cloves to the pot. Cook for 4-6 minutes until the onion softens and begins to caramelize. Add halved cherry tomatoes and minced Calabrian chili, cooking for another minute until fragrant.

Step 4: Create the Braising Liquid

Pour in the white wine to deglaze the pot, scraping up all the flavorful browned bits from the bottom. Let it reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes. Add chicken broth, water, drained white beans, diced roasted red peppers, golden raisins, chopped green olives, cinnamon, and rosemary sprigs. Bring the mixture to a boil.

Step 5: Braise

Once boiling, nestle the browned chicken pieces into the liquid, skin-side up. Cover the pot with a tight-fitting lid and transfer to the preheated oven. Braise for 1 to 1½ hours, until the chicken is fall-off-the-bone tender.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Remove from the oven and discard rosemary sprigs. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and sprinkle with minced parsley and the reserved crispy prosciutto before serving.

Pro Tips for Making the Recipe

Brown in Batches: Don’t overcrowd the pot when browning the chicken. If necessary, work in batches to ensure each piece gets properly browned.
Check for Doneness: The chicken should be very tender but not falling apart. Start checking at the 1-hour mark.
Taste Before Serving: The salt level can vary depending on your broth, olives, and prosciutto. Always taste before serving and adjust seasoning as needed.
Rest Before Serving: Let the dish rest for 10-15 minutes after removing from the oven. This allows the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken slightly.

How to Serve

This Sicilian Braised Chicken creates its own amazing sauce, so you’ll want something to soak it all up!

Perfect Pairings:

Serve over creamy polenta or alongside crusty Italian bread for sopping up the delicious sauce. A simple side of roasted broccolini or a crisp green salad dressed with lemon and olive oil makes an excellent complement.

Wine Recommendation:

A medium-bodied Sicilian red like Nero d’Avola pairs beautifully with this dish, highlighting the Mediterranean flavors. For white wine lovers, a Sicilian Grillo or Vermentino works wonderfully.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

This dish actually improves with time as the flavors continue to develop. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Freezing

The braised chicken freezes beautifully. Cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers, leaving some room for expansion. Freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating

For the best results, thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat gently on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth if the sauce has thickened too much. Alternatively, reheat in a 325°F oven until warmed through, about 20-25 minutes.

FAQs

Can I use boneless chicken instead of chicken quarters?

While you can use boneless chicken thighs, I strongly recommend sticking with bone-in pieces. The bones add tremendous flavor during the long braise and help keep the meat moist. If you do use boneless pieces, reduce the braising time to about 45 minutes to prevent the chicken from becoming too dry.
I don’t drink alcohol. What can I substitute for the white wine?

No problem! Replace the white wine with additional chicken broth plus 1 tablespoon of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to mimic the acidity that wine provides. The flavor will be slightly different but still delicious.
Can I make this in a slow cooker instead of the oven?

Absolutely! Brown the chicken and follow steps 1-4 as written, then transfer everything to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until the chicken is tender. The sauce may be thinner in a slow cooker, so you might want to remove the chicken after cooking and simmer the sauce on the stovetop to reduce it slightly.
How spicy is this dish with the Calabrian chili?

As written, the dish has a moderate heat that builds pleasantly. Calabrian chilies are known for their fruity flavor as much as their heat. If you’re sensitive to spice, start with half the amount and adjust to your taste. Remember that the spiciness will mellow somewhat during the long cooking process.

Final Thoughts

This Sicilian Braised Chicken brings together the soul-satisfying elements of Mediterranean cooking – the perfect balance of sweet, savory, spicy, and tangy flavors that create something truly special. It’s the kind of dish that makes your kitchen smell amazing and has everyone asking for seconds. Whether for a weeknight family dinner or a special occasion, this recipe delivers restaurant-quality results with home cooking comfort. Give it a try, and I’m confident it will become a treasured recipe in your collection!