Ajvar Chicken Recipe
on Jul 21, 2022, Updated Sep 06, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
You will absolutely love my two-ingredient Ajvar Chicken Recipe. If you’re not familiar with ajvar, it’s a condiment, or spread, made of roasted 🌶️ red peppers and eggplant. It’s beloved in the Balkans, where I grew up eating it. You can find ajvar in European stores or delis, and in the condiment aisle of some conventional grocery stores as well. Every European country has a different way of making it, but it always features roasted red peppers, eggplant, onion, and spices. I grew up enjoying the Bulgarian version called “Lutenitza.”
Why You’ll Love This Ajvar Chicken Recipe
While this🍗 Ajvar Chicken Recipe is an easy, quick recipe, the flavors fool you into thinking it has been marinated for hours. This dish brings the smoky, roasted goodness of Ajvar — a delicious Balkan pepper and 🍆 eggplant spread—right to your table. The chicken thighs turn out tender and juicy, infused with the rich, tangy flavors of the ajvar. It’s a quick and easy recipe that packs a punch, perfect when you’re craving something comforting but a little different than usual. Whether you’re new to ajvar or a long-time fan, this recipe will soon become a staple in your dinner rotation. Just pop it in the oven, let the magic happen, and enjoy the irresistible aroma filling your kitchen!
How to Prepare
🌡️ Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
🍗 Season the chicken with salt and then add a few heaping tablespoons of the ajvar. With clean hands, massage the ingredients together well to evenly distribute the ajvar.
❄️ Let marinate in the fridge or cook at once.
🔥 Bake, uncovered in a 9 x 13 baking dish for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a piece of chicken measures 165F (74C).
😋 Serve the cooked chicken with more ajvar on top and enjoy.
Nonna’s Tip 🍆
Ajvar is a condiment, or spread, made of roasted red peppers and eggplant, and is beloved in the Balkans, which is where I grew up eating it. You can find Ajvar in European stores, delis, and I’ve seen it at Costco!
Variations and Substitutions for This Ajvar Chicken Recipe
- I added 🧂 salt to this recipe because my ajvar wasn’t too salty but this will really depend on the brand you buy.
- You can use any roasted red 🌶️ pepper and eggplant spread you like.
- Feel free to add additional seasonings or a touch of olive oil if you wish.
- I like to serve this with extra ajvar and freshly crumbled feta on the side.
- You can use any cut of chicken you prefer, such as chicken breasts, 🍗 drumsticks, or wings. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Similar Recipes
Air Fryer Chicken Thighs
25 mins
Garlic Lemon Chicken Thighs
52 mins
Easy Baked Chicken
55 mins
Lemon Pepper Chicken
25 mins
Best Served With
- Serve this Ajvar Chicken recipe with a starchy side such as 🍚 rice, quinoa or my Greek Lemon Potatoes.
- Serve this with a 🥗 Simple Green Salad or veggie side dish such as Green Beans or Roasted Bell Peppers.
Common Questions
Ajvar is a beloved Balkan condiment, or spread, made of roasted red peppers and eggplant. It adds a rich, smoky, and slightly tangy flavor to dishes.
If you can’t find Ajvar, you can substitute it with roasted red pepper spread, harissa for a spicier option, or even a mix of tomato paste and roasted peppers blended together.
The chicken is fully cooked when it’s golden brown and a meat thermometer inserted in the center of a thigh reads 165F (74C).
Yes, you can certainly make this in the air fryer. Just check your appliances’ manual for recommended temperature and cook time. It will probably cook faster than in the oven, so watch it closely!
Ajvar Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 boneless skinless chicken thighs, any cut of chicken works
- salt to taste
- ½ cup ajvar , mild roasted pepper and eggplant spread
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F (200C).
- Season the chicken with salt and add a few heaping tablespoons of the ajvar. With clean hands, massage the ingredients together well to evenly distribute the ajvar. Let marinate in the fridge or cook at once.
- Bake, uncovered in a 9x 13 baking dish for 40 to 45 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of a piece of chicken measures 165F (74C). Keep an eye on the chicken as it cooks, to make sure it is not burning.
- Serve the cooked chicken with more ajvar on top and enjoy.
My Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Quick, easy, and ridiculously tasty. This chicken recipe is a winner! Definitely staying into the dinner rotation!
I made a few changes. I used bone in skin on chicken thighs. I increased the baking temperature to 425ºF. I sprinkled the chicken with adobo instead of just salt. I had a 24-ounce jar of hot ajvar and used 3/4 of the jar nicely covering the chicken. I sprinkled a generous amount of grated Romano cheese over the top and baked it for 45 minutes. It came out fantastic!
Stephen, I’m so happy you shared your version of the recipe. Sounds great!
I love this! I have been making this for years, I always top it with crumbled goat cheese and parsley. This time I made homemade ajvar and wow yummy.
Yum, goat cheese and parsley sounds great. So happy you loved this!
Anyway tips for adapting this to 6 adults and with chicken breasts? 🙂
Hi Nic,
If you like a chicken breast per person you can absolutely do that. Be mindful that breast takes 15-30 minutes depending on the size/bone and white meat takes a lot faster than dark.
The rare occasion that zero effort but flavor is there without some crazy sauce! Feel good servicing this to my family! Even my 1 year old loves this chicken! So simple but flavorful! Oh, and my husband doesn’t even like pepper – but like this! Recommend!
Hi love,
soooooo happy to hear 🙂 Have a wonderful day
I came here for your yogurt chicken and now found this recipe!! I’m Croatian and love ajvar need to try