Skip to main content

Tangy Vinegar Chicken With Barberries and Orange

4.7

(4)

Glazed chicken legs on a plate with sauce dried barberries and orange halves
Photo by Laura Murray, Prop Styling by Sophie Strangio, Food Styling by Rebecca Jurkevich

Dried barberries are incredibly tart, more so than any other dried fruit you’ll encounter. Look for them at Middle Eastern markets or specialty foods stores, or order them online. Dried tart cherries will also work.  

  

Like this Bon Appétit recipe? There are plenty more where this came from. Subscribe to the magazine here!

Recipe information

  • Yield

    4 servings

Ingredients

3 lb. skin-on, bone-in chicken legs (thigh and drumstick) or a mix of thighs and drumsticks
Kosher salt
2 Tbsp. vegetable or other neutral oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
½ cup dried barberries or dried tart cherries, rinsed
½ tsp. ground turmeric
¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
⅓ cup white wine vinegar
1 medium orange, halved

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Pat chicken dry with paper towels, then season all over with salt. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Cook chicken, skin side down, until golden brown underneath, 7–10 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate, leaving any fat in the pan.

    Step 2

    Remove pan from heat and let fat cool down a little (about 3 minutes should do it). Return pan to medium heat and add onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often and adding a splash of water if needed to keep onion from getting too dark, until onion is softened and golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Stir in barberries, turmeric, and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in vinegar and 1 cup water, season lightly with salt, and bring to a simmer.

    Step 3

    Arrange chicken, skin side up, in sauce, then nestle orange halves, cut side down, around chicken. Transfer skillet to oven and bake, uncovered, until sauce is reduced and chicken is cooked through, 30–35 minutes (or 20–25 minutes for separated things and drumsticks).

    Step 4

    Transfer chicken to a platter. Spoon sauce over, then squeeze juice from orange halves on top.

Read More
Native American people made these with cornmeal dumplings, simmering them with wild grapes, which were harvested at their peak sweetness.
Fufu is a dish that has been passed down through many generations and is seen as a symbol of Ghanaian identity and heritage. Making fufu traditionally is a very laborious task; this recipe mimics some of that hard work but with a few home-cook hacks that make for a far easier time.
Berbere is a spicy chile blend that has floral and sweet notes from coriander and cardamom, and when it’s paired with a honey glaze, it sets these wings apart from anything else you’ve ever had.
An espresso-and-cumin-spiked rub (or brine) gives this smoked chicken impressive flavor.
This summery sheet-pan dinner celebrates the bounty of the season and couldn't be simpler to make. Chorizo plays nicely with the salad, thanks to its spice.
This is one of the best fried chickens ever. From southern Thailand, gai hat yai is known for its crispy skin, great aromatics, and super juicy meat.
We don’t bake with grapes as often as we should. But even the most average supermarket varieties come alive when roasted with a bit of sugar and seasoning.
This Campari-spiked galette features the herbal aperitif, tart cherries, and floral citrus zest and is perfect for those who prefer bitter to sweet.