Jamie Oliver’s Crispy Chicken Legs With Sweet Tomatoes & Basil Recipe on Food52 (2024)

I’m a long-time JO fan and have made this recipe so many times…his way, my way, and many other F52ers’ way. Bottom line: delicious and adaptable! So good, every time! Highly recommend trying…and also highly recommend Jamie’s recipes in general. Bon appetit!

I reviewed this back in 2018 - have made many times since - it's one of my all time favorite dinners!
Tonight I made with boneless, skinless breasts. I was a bit afraid that they might dry out, but they were fabulous! I used 1 pound of "Campari" tomatoes from Trader Joe's and several stems of basil. Sprinkled garlic salt over, then a big can of San Marzano tomatoes that I squeezed in to the pan and spread round the "juice" which was kind of thick. I thought it might not be "juicy" enough. More garlic salt and some olive oil. Then laid the chicken breasts on top and rubbed with olive oil and more garlic salt. Oh - I put about 8 cubes of TJ's frozen garlic under the six chicken breasts. 1/2 tsp of chile flakes on top of the tomatoes. 350 degrees for an hour and the chicken breasts had an appealing browning going on. I added 2 cans of Cannelini beans and a handful of Kalamata olives and continued cooking for 30 minutes. I tested the temp of the chicken - 167-171 degrees and removed to a plate. The pan was very juicy so on the stovetop, I reduced the juices a bit and served the lot in a bowl with the chicken cut up on top. Bottom line - delicious! the chicken was moist and flavorful and I have no qualms about using B/S breasts in the future. I was a bit heavy-handed with the olive oil in lieu of the fatty skin-on thighs that I have used in the past, but it was equally delicious!

This recipe is amazing. I have made it 4 times since August to rave reviews. I add the beans at the start, and, like others, have found that a half cup or so of a plain tomato sauce helps to add moisture. Left overs are even more tasty as the flavors marry overnight. I serve with a crusty bread to sop up the sauce and to spread the garlic on. I love a recipe that I don't have to baby sit: Assemble and shove in the oven and voila. One comment regarding the basil: "A large bunch" is undefined so it's a guessing game. What's large in the UK is probably smaller than in the US. If you are new to this recipe, about 2 cups of leaves and tender stalks loosely packed is enough in my opinion and I like basil.

I just made this again last night. My garden has too many tomatoes and this recipe used up a few of them. Always delicious. And the skin comes out so crispy. This is a go to recipe for me when I'm running late and want something in a hurry that takes no prep.

Endlessly adaptable - this is a no-recipe recipe. It's basically an exercise in the low, slow concentration of flavors (which is why it is uncovered). The fact that this dish makes your house smell fantastic is just a bonus. Personally, I think fresh-baked bread goes even better with this than the potatoes, and I think the beans make the dish.

Dependable, highly flexible, and extremely high flavor-to-effort ratio. I’ve made this many times and it’s always great.

I love this recipe. Depending on what I have in the larder, I will add roasted peppers, peppadews, shallots, olives, artichokes, etc. I also like to double the beans; they become super creamy and flavorful. One change I make is to place everything in the pan before the chicken to prevent the beans and basil from drying out during roasting. I lay the chicken on top, so that it bastes everything with schmaltzy goodness.

I strongly advise one to add the basil later in the process. Otherwise it tends to dry out and adds little flavor. It's a very easy recipe, which is a big plus.

Delicious and easy...all you need is the time to let it cook. I added a can of diced tomatoes as I like a lot of sauce plus a good glug of red wine...fyi, be sure to have some good garlic bread to soak it up. Added most of the basil toward the end of the cooking time. Forgot the chili and didn't have the canneli bean but can see how they would be good. Added whole small potatoes. Great comfort food during this COVID-19 time.

So, so good! It does remind me of a quicker cassoulet and the beans really make the dish. Our addition was some chopped green olives, which were nice. Next time I will try a little wine or lemon perhaps. A keeper!

This is by far one of my favorite recipes. I brown the chicken so the skin gets crispy and throw what I have in on hand. I love the richness of the broth it creates, the potatoes and beans are a must in my book because it almost becomes like a hearty stew.

Nancy September 22, 2019

This was just delicious! I feel that some reviews are maybe over thinking this? Its very open to interpretation and you don't have to stress. It's not like baking. I added a can of San Marzanos because it looked like I'd want more juice, I did add the beans and thought that was a nice addition. It was amazing over Basmati rice.

vvn August 26, 2019

I made it with 6 boneless, skinless chicken thighs because that's what I needed to use up so I was pretty heavy handed with the olive oil. I needed something to use tomato and basil from the garden. I stuck it in the oven and ran to the store for Cannelini beans and when I opened the door oh, the aroma!. I'll hold off on the beans till the last 10-15 minutes next time but I just had a bowl and am very happy with it. I did chuck a halved lemon in there for the last 20 minutes or so and squeezed it over the whole thing at the end, as someone suggested, and really feel it adds a nice brightness. Can't wait to see how it tastes tomorrow. I pulled the chicken into smaller pieces and will have it over rice or pasta. The sauce it makes is lovely. I have got to remember to read the comments first before I try a recipe. It really doesn't say when to put in the beans. It would have been better to wait and I may peel the garlic to see if it matters next time. I didn't mind the crispy basil leaves but I can see how it may put some people off.
I'll just have one more little bite, then I'll stop.

My kind of recipe, no measuring or cooking, just throw everything in a pan and bake! This sounds so delicious! I don't make chicken often for fear of undercooking, but I will definitely try this one! Thank you!

Maybe I'm a Neanderthal, but I don't see all the hub-bub about the beans, cooking time, 'dry' chicken etc. I've made this recipe many time and its always absolutely delicious. My beans are always intact. The chicken is never dry. I think it's great just the way it is, proudly serve it to friend and family, and would highly recommend it. Hat's off to it's creator!

I made this tonight for the first time and we loved it! Because this was a throw together quickly meal, I added a shallot that was languishing, also some wine and a little chicken broth, and Trader Joe’s Everyday seasoning...stirred and basted a couple of times and upped the temperature right at the end to brown the chicken a little more. It was very flavorful and the juices were wonderful!

Beth June 22, 2019

Tried this once - meh. Not a fan of chicken and tomatoes, but will try again, maybe. The chicken didn't crisp up even though I left the skin on which I usually don't do. Definitely didn't put potatoes in though. Have other chicken recipes we like better.

This is great! Made this tonight, threw in some chopped tarragon into the mix along with the fresh basil since both are plentiful in the garden. I added the cannelini beans during the last 1/2 hour of cooking. Will make this again. Many times, I’m sure!