Mediterranean · main

Mediterranean Sweet and Sour Chicken

Mediterranean Sweet and Sour Chicken reads umami 5.8, fruity 5.3 and sweetness 5.0 on Palate's 0–10 flavor X-ray — a Mediterranean main, about 25 min. Measured from the recipe itself: ingredients and technique.

The flavor X-ray — six axes, 0–10

• Umami & Savory — 6.6 / 10
• Sweet & Fruity — 6.8 / 10
• Sour & Bright — 4.2 / 10
• Bitter & Earthy — 2.1 / 10
• Rich & Fat — 4.5 / 10
• Aromatic & Spice — 3.7 / 10

The measured notes (of 18)

Umami 5.8 · Fruity 5.3 · Sweetness 5.0 · Salinity 4.5 · Richness 4.3 · Sourness 4.2 · Allium 3.3 · Marine & Briny 2.5 · Herbaceous 1.9 · Bitterness 1.9 · Floral 1.7 · Funk & Ferment 1.5 · Earthy 1.3 · Nutty 0.9 · Warm Spice 0.7

What's in it (11)

• 2 tsp. olive oil
• 8 small skinless chicken thighs
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 2 clove garlic
• 1/2 c. chicken broth
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 3/4 c. Mission figs
• 1/4 c. salad olives
• 1 bag baby arugula

Time & effort: about 25 min · effort: involved

Nutrition (per 100 g, engine-estimated): 114.1 kcal, 11.6 g protein, 5.5 g fat, 4.5 g carbs

Dietary: Contains meat — engine-derived; double-check anything allergy-critical.

How it's cooked (10 steps)

1. In nonstick 12-inch skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat until very hot.
2. Add chicken and sprinkle with salt; cook 17 to 20 minutes or until chicken is browned and juices run clear when thickest part of thigh is pierced with tip of knife, turning chicken over once.
3. Transfer chicken to plate.
4. Add garlic to skillet and cook 30 seconds, stirring.
5. Meanwhile, in cup, with wire whisk, mix broth, vinegar, cornstarch, and sugar.
6. Stir broth mixture and add to skillet; heat to boiling.
7. Boil 1 minute, stirring until browned bits are loosened from bottom of skillet and sauce thickens slightly.
8. Stir in figs and olives; return chicken with any juices to skillet and heat through.
9. To serve, arrange arugula on 4 dinner plates.
10. Spoon chicken mixture over arugula.

Dishes with a similar flavor shape

• Hallaca Caraqueña — Venezuelan
• Picadillo — Latin American
• Pan-Roasted Fish With Mediterranean Tomato Sauce — Mediterranean
• Corfu-Style Cod — Greek
• Bobotie with Yellow Rice — South African · Cape Malay

Keep reading: what umami, fruity, sweetness mean in the flavor lexicon · the world's cuisines, by flavor.

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Every number above is Palate's engine-measured estimate, computed from this recipe's ingredients and techniques — not human-tasted ratings or reviews.