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Ajvar Chicken Recipe

Snejana Andreeva - 1

By Snejana Andreeva

on Jul 21, 2022, Updated Sep 06, 2024

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You will absolutely love my two-ingredient Ajvar Chicken Recipe. If you’re not familiar with ajvar, it’s a condiment , or spread, made of roasted 🌶️ red peppers and eggplant. It’s beloved in the Balkans , where I grew up eating it. You can find ajvar in European stores or delis, and in the condiment aisle of some conventional grocery stores as well. Every European country has a different way of making it, but it always features roasted red peppers, eggplant, onion, and spices. I grew up enjoying the Bulgarian version called “ Lutenitza .”

  • Why You’ll Love This Ajvar Chicken Recipe
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🍆
  • Variations and Substitutions for This Ajvar Chicken Recipe
  • Similar Recipes
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Ajvar Chicken Recipe Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Ajvar Chicken Recipe

While this🍗 Ajvar Chicken Recipe is an easy, quick recipe, the flavors fool you into thinking it has been marinated for hours. This dish brings the smoky, roasted goodness of Ajvar — a delicious Balkan pepper and 🍆 eggplant spread—right to your table. The chicken thighs turn out tender and juicy, infused with the rich, tangy flavors of the ajvar. It’s a quick and easy recipe that packs a punch , perfect when you’re craving something comforting but a little different than usual. Whether you’re new to ajvar or a long-time fan, this recipe will soon become a staple in your dinner rotation. Just pop it in the oven, let the magic happen, and enjoy the irresistible aroma filling your kitchen!

How to Prepare

🌡️ Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).

🍗 Season the chicken with salt and then add a few heaping tablespoons of the ajvar. With clean hands, massage the ingredients together well to evenly distribute the ajvar.

❄️ Let marinate in the fridge or cook at once.

🔥 Bake, uncovered in a 9 x 13 baking dish for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a piece of chicken measures 165F (74C).

😋 Serve the cooked chicken with more ajvar on top and enjoy.

Nonna’s Tip 🍆

Ajvar is a condiment, or spread, made of roasted red peppers and eggplant, and is beloved in the Balkans , which is where I grew up eating it. You can find Ajvar in European stores, delis, and I’ve seen it at Costco!

Ajvar Chicken Recipe - 3

Variations and Substitutions for This Ajvar Chicken Recipe

  1. I added 🧂 salt to this recipe because my ajvar wasn’t too salty but this will really depend on the brand you buy.
  2. You can use any roasted red 🌶️ pepper and eggplant spread you like.
  3. Feel free to add additional seasonings or a touch of olive oil if you wish.
  4. I like to serve this with extra ajvar and freshly crumbled feta on the side.
  5. You can use any cut of chicken you prefer, such as chicken breasts, 🍗 drumsticks, or wings. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.

Similar Recipes

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Best Served With

  • Serve this Ajvar Chicken recipe with a starchy side such as 🍚 rice, quinoa or my Greek Lemon Potatoes .
  • Serve this with a 🥗 Simple Green Salad or veggie side dish such as Green Beans or Roasted Bell Peppers .

Common Questions

Ajvar is a beloved Balkan condiment, or spread, made of roasted red peppers and eggplant. It adds a rich, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor to dishes.

If you can’t find Ajvar, you can substitute it with roasted red pepper spread, harissa for a spicier option, or even a mix of tomato paste and roasted peppers blended together.

The chicken is fully cooked when it’s golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the center of a thigh reads 165F (74C).

Yes, you can certainly make this in the air fryer . Just check your appliances’ manual for recommended temperature and cook time. It will probably cook faster than in the oven, so watch it closely!

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Equipment

  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Redmond Real Salt
  • ▢ Mixing Bowls
  • ▢ 9×13 Baking Dish
  • ▢ Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

  • ▢ 12 boneless skinless chicken thighs , any cut of chicken works
  • ▢ salt to taste
  • ▢ ½ cup ajvar , mild roasted pepper and eggplant spread

Instructions

  • ▢ Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
  • ▢ Season the chicken with salt and add a few heaping tablespoons of the ajvar. With clean hands, massage the ingredients together well to evenly distribute the ajvar. Let marinate in the fridge or cook at once.
  • ▢ Bake, uncovered in a 9x 13 baking dish for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a piece of chicken measures 165F (74C). Keep an eye on the chicken as it cooks, to make sure it is not burning.
  • ▢ Serve the cooked chicken with more ajvar on top and enjoy.

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Ajvar Chicken Recipe

Equipment

  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • Redmond Real Salt
  • Mixing Bowls
  • 9x13 Baking Dish
  • Meat Thermometer

Ingredients

  • 12 boneless skinless chicken thighs any cut of chicken works
  • salt to taste
  • ½ cup ajvar mild roasted pepper and eggplant spread

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
  • Season the chicken with salt and add a few heaping tablespoons of the ajvar. With clean hands, massage the ingredients together well to evenly distribute the ajvar. Let marinate in the fridge or cook at once.
  • Bake, uncovered in a 9x 13 baking dish for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a piece of chicken measures 165F (74C). Keep an eye on the chicken as it cooks, to make sure it is not burning.
  • Serve the cooked chicken with more ajvar on top and enjoy.

Nutrition

Ajvar Chicken Recipe https://themodernnonna.com/ajvar-chicken-recipe/ July 21, 2022