If you love garlic as much as I do, then this 40 clove garlic chicken is a must-make. It’s so impressive looking and surprisingly easy to make. I recently cooked it up for a little dinner party, and everyone was enamored with the presentation. And it’s not just garlic that makes this chicken so good. I coated it in an aromatic citrus-honey sauce that’s positively slurpable.
40 Clove Garlic Chicken Recipe
I love pulling out all the stops for dinner parties, but of course, I want it to be easy! This 40 clove garlic chicken is quickly becoming a go-to recipe when I have friends over. No one would ever believe just how simple it is. Earthy herbs, fresh citrus, honey, seasonings, and of course lots of fresh garlic come together to create the most flavorful chicken!
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How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover 40 clove garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in a 350°F oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until fully warmed through.
How to Quickly Peel Garlic
40 cloves of garlic is quite a lot to peel all in one go. My fingers are getting tired just thinking about it! But luckily I have a good hack for quickly peeling a lot of garlic.
You’ll need to lightly smash the whole heads to separate out the individual cloves, then place them in a sealed plastic container (like a tupperware), and give them a good shake. It may take up to 2 minutes of vigorous shaking, but most of the cloves should peel themselves.
For any remaining stubborn cloves, I like to whack them with the side of my knife to break the flesh away from the skin.
Top Reader Review
“This is one of my favorite chicken dishes. I am a garlic addict! yum!” -Sara
40 Clove Garlic Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 whole heads garlic
- 3 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters
- 40 cloves garlic peeled (from about 4 whole heads)
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup freshly-squeezed orange juice (from 1 orange)
- 1 teaspoon ground thyme
- 1 teaspoon dry rosemary leaves
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 3 sprigs fresh rosemary optional, for garnish
Equipment
- 9×13-inch Baking Dish
Instructions
- Preheat oven 350℉.
- Chop off the top ½ inch of the whole garlic heads.3 whole heads garlic
- Add chicken legs, whole garlic heads, and the 40 peeled garlic cloves to a 9×13-inch baking dish.3 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters, 40 cloves garlic
- Add the olive oil, orange juice, thyme, dry rosemary, salt, pepper, and honey to a small bowl.½ cup extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup freshly-squeezed orange juice, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon ground thyme, 1 teaspoon dry rosemary leaves, 1 teaspoon honey
- Mix with a fork then drizzle the mixture over the chicken and garlic.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (165℉ internally).
- Serve with fresh rosemary stems and enjoy!3 sprigs fresh rosemary
Notes
How to Make 40 Clove Garlic Chicken Step by Step
Prep the Chicken and Garlic: Chop the top half inch off of 3 whole heads of garlic. Add 3 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters, the whole garlic heads, and 40 peeled cloves of garlic to a 9×13-inch baking dish.
Make the Sauce: Add ½ cup of extra-virgin olive oil, ¼ cup of freshly-squeezed orange juice, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, ½ teaspoon of ground black pepper, 1 teaspoon of ground thyme, 1 teaspoon of dry rosemary leaves, and 1 teaspoon of honey to a small bowl.
Bake the Chicken: Pour the mixture evenly all over the chicken. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes, or until cooked through to 165°F.
Garnish and Serve: Serve with 3 fresh rosemary stems for garnish, if desired.
Wow! This looks so pretty and also very tasty. I bet the garlic cloves are soft and mellow with baking too. Love your photos, Becky!
Thank you! Go ahead and give it a try! Let me know what you think!
This is one of my favorite chicken dishes. I am a garlic addict! yum!
Me too!! SO happy to hear this is your new favorite!
I have always wanted to try this recipe, it looks so incredible!
Try it out and let me know what you think!
This was so easy to make, and yes packed with great flavors!
Totally agree! Glad you loved it!
This chicken sounds so flavorful and easy to prepare. It would be perfect for a busy fall or winter night.
It sure is! Let me know what you think once you’ve tried it!
Can chicken legs be used instead of leg quarters? If so, any adjustments to the recipe?I
I would just make sure the meat is cooked thoroughly! Use a meat thermometer to make sure that the temp is right!