Ingredients
- 2.5 pounds chicken
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup white wine
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 10 plums plums
- to taste salt
- to taste fresh cracked pepper
- 3 fresh sprigs parsley
Recipe Video
Watch the Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken with Plums recipe video first:
Recipe steps
Step 1. Prepare chicken3 minutes Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season the chicken inside and out with salt and pepper, and oregano. Grease the chicken with olive oil. |
Step 2. Prepare plums5 minutes Cut plums onto halves and take out each pit from the plums. Arrange the halved plums around the chicken. Add the wine to the Dutch oven. |
Step 3. Cook chicken with plums1 hour Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for about 1 hour a until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. You can baste the chicken with the cooking liquid halfway through the cooking time for extra flavor. |
Step 4. Serve2 minutes Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, and serve the whole baked chicken with plums and white wine sauce from beneath the dutch oven. Your Whole Baked Chicken with plums is ready! Enjoy! |
About the Recipe + FAQ
This Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken with Plums is a dish perfect for a family dinner or an impressive weekend centerpiece. Roasting the chicken in a Dutch oven locks in the moisture and flavor, while the plums bring a rich, slightly tart sweetness that balances the savoriness of the poultry and herbs. With a base of white wine, fruity plums, and aromatic herbs like oregano and parsley, this Mediterranean dish will leave you satisfied.
Which season is this recipe best for?
This dish shines brightest in late summer to early fall, from August to October, when plums are at their peak. Their sweetness intensifies as the weather cools, adding the perfect burst of juice to your roast chicken. But you can make this recipe almost year-round.
Where can I buy the ingredients for this recipe?
Use simple, quality ingredients for the best results. Buy fresh, whole chicken from your local butcher or organic grocer. Choose extra virgin olive oil from a Mediterranean brand for deeper flavor. Find crisp, dry white wine in most liquor stores – Sauvignon Blanc, Encruzado, and Pinot Grigio work well. Plums are best in late summer from the farmersโ market, but grocery store produce sections work too. Oregano, salt, and pepper are standard pantry staples. Fresh parsley is available in the herb section of most supermarkets.
Can I substitute the ingredients in this recipe?
Absolutely! Here are some thoughtful substitutions to keep the Mediterranean flavor while adapting to what you have:
Chicken – use bone-in thighs or drumsticks if you donโt have a whole chicken.
Plums – swap with fresh nectarines, apricots, or figs for a fruity twist.
White wine – replace with chicken broth and a splash of lemon juice or white vinegar.
Oregano – try dried thyme or rosemary for a different herbal note, but it will give a Mediterranean flavor.too
Parsley – use cilantro or basil for a fresher edge, or leave it out entirely.
Can I make this recipe part of a menu?
For an appetizer, go with my simple Mediterranean Tomato Salad or Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad.
Pair this roast chicken withย a quick Vegetable Ragout, or Mediterranean Baby Baked Potatoes.
For dessert, enjoy Strawberry Napoleons, Blueberry Tiramisu, Chocolate Raspberry Tart, and Raspberry Pavlova.
Which drinks would you pair it with?
You can pair this Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken with Plums with different drinks:
If you are a wine lover, pair with a chilled glass of dry Riesling, or Portuguese Vinho Verde (especially from Alvarinho grapes). It is very good!!
For a non-alcoholic, a sparkling water with a splash of pomegranate juice would be a perfect match.
If you are up for fancy cocktails, try a Porto Tonico cocktail.
How long can I store this recipe leftovers?
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2ย days. Reheat gently in the oven at 300ยฐF (150ยฐC) covered with foil/lid until warmed through.
Recipe tips & tricks
Here are my tips on how to make this whole chicken perfect:
- Roast at 375ยฐF (190ยฐC).
- Always rest the chicken for 10โ15 minutes before slicing to let the juices redistribute.
- The plums should nestle around the bird, not pile on top of it.
- Chicken is done when the thickest part of the thigh reads 165ยฐF (74ยฐC).
This show-stopping Dutch Oven Whole Roast Chicken with Plums recipe brings the Mediterranean to your table. It’s a rich blend of savory, sweet, and herbal notes. I created this recipe to be not only flavorful but deeply satisfying in a wholesome, old-world kind of way. If you try it, share your twist in the comments. Did you swap the wine? Use nectarines? I love hearing how these recipes come alive in your kitchens.
