1cupdried apricotsprunes, or a combination of any dried fruit
12clovesgarlicminced
1/2-inchpiece fresh gingerpeeled and finely chopped (about 1 1/2 Tbsp)
2Tbspdried oregano
1Tbspdried thyme
1/3cupred wine vinegar
3Tbspextra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2Tbspfresh lemon juice
2bay leaves
23- to 4-pound chickens, cut into 8 pieces
1 1/2tspkosher salt
1/2tspground black pepper
1/2cuppacked light brown sugar
1/2cupwhite wine
Instructions
In a small bowl, pour orange juice over dried fruit and let soak to plump the fruit, about 10 minutes. In a separate small bowl, whisk together garlic, ginger, oregano, thyme, vinegar, olive oil, lemon juice, and bay leaves.
Place chickens in two roasting pans. Pour marinade equally over each chicken and massage into chicken. Add orange juice and fruit mixture equally to each roasting pan.
Cover pans and marinate in the refrigerator for 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat oven to 375°F. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, and then drizzle equally with brown sugar and white wine. Bake until chicken is nicely browned on top and registers 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Serve with pan juices and dried fruit.
The chicken tastes best when marinated a minimum of 4 hours and preferably overnight.