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    Home » All Recipes » Main Dish Recipes

    Chicken Agrodolce

    Published on Jul 4, 2022 by Tara · Updated on Aug 26, 2022 · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · 4 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Chicken agrodolce, also known as sweet and sour chicken, is full of texture, and true to its name, sweet and sour flavor.  Roasted eggplant and zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and green olives are simmered with chicken in a sugar-vinegar sauce and topped with fresh mint.  Have some crusty bread handy to mop up the delicious sauce!

    Chicken agrodolce in black plate.

    We are big fans of sweet and sour flavor combos in our home with zucchini agrodolce and eggplant caponata being some of our favorites.

    Our chicken agrodolce has much in common with caponata and is essentially chicken with caponata plus a few extras, like zucchini. 

     

    The depth of flavor in chicken agrodolce is over the top from the roasted eggplant and zucchini, the sweet raisins, the salty olives, and the fresh mint.

    The chicken takes on all of these flavors ensuring that with every bite, you're getting something special.

    Pair this with rice, a bit of pasta, or some crusty bread and you're all set!

    Ingredients shown: eggplant, zucchini, mint, garlic, raisins, sugar, chicken stock, vinegar, olives, tomatoes, and chicken thighs.

    How to make it

    Each number corresponds to the numbered written steps below.

    1. Cube 2 medium-sized zucchini and 1 medium-sized eggplant.  Slice 3 cloves of garlic and a ½ cup pitted Sicilian olives.  Chop 3 tablespoons of mint. 
    2. Preheat the oven to 425f and set the rack to the middle level.  Toss the zucchini and eggplant with ¼ cup of olive oil and salt and pepper, to taste.  Spread them out on parchment paper-lined baking sheets and roast for 20-25 minutes or until well browned and set aside.

    Chicken agrodolce recipe process shot collage group number one.

    1. Meanwhile, pat the chicken thighs dry and season with salt and pepper on both sides.
    2. Heat a large pan to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and the chicken. If you're using a smaller pan, you may need to work in batches to not overcrowd the pan.
    3. Sear the chicken until browned (about 4-5 minutes per side), then set aside on a plate tented with foil
    4. Add the remaining olive oil to the same pan along with the garlic and cook the garlic until golden (about 2 minutes).

    Recipe process shot collage group number two.

    1. Add 24 ounces of cherry tomatoes and a pinch of salt.  
    2. Once the tomatoes begin to burst (about 5-7 minutes), add 1 cup of low sodium chicken broth, ¼ cup raisins, the sliced olives, ¼ cup red wine vinegar, and 1 tablespoon of sugar.  
    3. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook for 2 minutes until it reduces slightly.
    4. Turn the heat down to medium-low and return the chicken to the pan along with the roasted zucchini and eggplant.  

    Recipe process shot collage group number three.

    1. Continue to cook over a low simmer partially covered for about 10-15 minutes or until the chicken thighs reach at least 175f internal temperature.
    2. Taste test the sauce and season with salt and pepper if needed.  Sprinkle the fresh mint on top right before serving.  Serve with crusty bread to mop up the sauce and enjoy!

    Chicken agrodolce in large pan.

    Top tips for awesome agrodolce chicken

    • The sweet.  We used a combination of raisins and sugar for the "dolce", or sweet part of this dish.  We realize that not everyone loves raisins.  If you're not a fan of raisins, you can omit them and replace them with more sugar until you're satisfied with the sweet to sour ratio.
    • The sour.  Red wine vinegar was used to create the sour aspect of this dish.  You can use white vinegar as well.  
    • The olives.  We used Sicilian green olives for our chicken agrodolce but this would also be great with kalamata olives, oil-cured olives, or a combination of olives.  If you can, try and buy pitted olives to save you the work of removing the pits yourself.
    • The chicken.  Boneless, skinless chicken thighs were used for our recipe but you can also use chicken pieces.  Note:  this dish is better with dark meat and is less likely to dry out than with white meat.

    Hands holding chicken agrodolce in black plate.

    More Italian chicken thigh recipes you'll love

    • Chicken thighs with fennel and cherry tomatoes - braised chicken thighs with burst cherry tomatoes and fennel.
    • Chicken Vesuvio - Whole chicken (but can use just thighs) with potatoes and peas in a lemon white wine sauce.
    • Chicken and peppers - Roman-style chicken thighs and peppers in a white wine sauce.
    • Chicken fra diavolo - Chicken thighs in a garlicky spicy tomato sauce.

    If you’ve enjoyed this chicken agrodolce recipe or any recipe on this site, give it a 5-star rating and leave a review.

    We strive to satisfy a number of learning styles.  If you are someone who prefers to learn by watching, you can find most of our recipes on YouTube and our Facebook Page.

    Chicken agrodolce featured image.

    Chicken Agrodolce

    5 from 2 votes
    Prep Time: 5 mins
    Cook Time: 40 mins
    Total Time: 45 mins
    Servings: 4
    Print Pin Rate
    Author: James

    Ingredients

    • 3 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs
    • ½ cup olive oil divided
    • 2 medium zucchini cubed
    • 1 medium eggplant cubed
    • 3 cloves garlic sliced
    • 24 ounces cherry tomatoes or 2 dry pints
    • ¼ cup red wine vinegar
    • 1 cup low sodium chicken stock
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • ¼ cup raisins
    • ½ cup Sicilian green olives pitted and sliced
    • 3 tablspoons mint chopped

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 425f and set the rack to the middle level. Toss zucchini and eggplant with a ¼ cup of olive oil and salt and pepper to taste. Spread the veggies out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through and well browned.
    • Meanwhile, pat the chicken dry then season with salt and pepper on both sides.
    • Heat a large pan to medium heat then add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sear chicken until browned (about 4-5 minutes per side) then set aside on a plate tented with foil.
    • Add the remaining olive oil to the pan along with the garlic. Cook garlic until golden (about 2 minutes) then add the tomatoes and a touch of salt.
    • Once the tomatoes begin to burst (about 5 minutes) add the chicken stock, raisins, olives, vinegar, and sugar to the pan. Bring the sauce to a boil and cook for 2 minutes until it slightly reduces.
    • Turn the heat down to medium-low and return the chicken to the pan, along with the roasted zucchini and eggplant. Continue to cook over a low simmer partially covered (roughly 10-15 more minutes) or until the chicken thighs reach at least 175f internal temp.
    • Taste test and season with salt and pepper if required. Sprinkle the mint on top right before serving. Serve with crusty bread to mop up the sauce. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Makes 4 large or 6 moderate-sized servings
    • Chicken thighs (dark meat) can be cooked to a higher temp than white meat.  At least 175f is recommended.  The chicken will be juicier and more tender.
    • Feel free to adjust the sweet/sour ratio to your liking with either more sugar or vinegar.
    • Leftovers can be saved for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 827kcal | Carbohydrates: 18.8g | Protein: 101.3g | Fat: 37.6g | Saturated Fat: 6.8g | Cholesterol: 262mg | Sodium: 390mg | Potassium: 1088mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11.8g | Calcium: 87mg | Iron: 4mg
    Did you make this recipe? Mention @sipandfeast or tag #sipandfeast
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    Comments

    1. Debbie Friedlander

      August 03, 2022 at 7:11 am

      5 stars
      Having all the ingredients on hand but the chicken thighs, I prepared this dish with country pork ribs. Otherwise followed the recipe exactly as written. Absolutely delicious. Fantastic. My husband kept saying how good it was. Once again, I must thank you.

      Reply
      • Jim

        August 03, 2022 at 8:34 am

        Hi Debbie, thanks for the comment! Great improvising with the country ribs and I'm happy you and your husband enjoyed!

        Reply
    2. Joe Mele

      March 28, 2023 at 12:18 pm

      5 stars
      What a wonderful recipe!

      Reply
      • Jim

        March 29, 2023 at 10:35 am

        Hi Joe, so happy you liked this one and really appreciate the comment and rating!

        Reply

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    About Jim

    Welcome! I'm Jim and I'm here to help you make awesome Italian food that you would normally enjoy at some of your favorite New York style Italian restaurants. While my recipes are typically Italian, you'll find some other great ones as well. Take a look around, and get cooking!

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