Sticky Marmalade Chicken
Wednesday, September 28, 2011 at 03:23PM 
Whether it’s a picnic in the park, food for a camping trip or a snack for a long journey, ‘travel food’, as I like to call it, can be a bit of a problem for those of us with food allergies and intolerances. When you’re in your own space and familiar surroundings, you know where the nearest meal can be found, what’s on offer to you and what, and where, is out of bounds. Visiting somewhere new can throw up a few technical issues: unfamiliar shops, restaurants and locations mean that mealtimes can become a lottery you would rather avoid, and let’s not get started on the direness of service stations ‘restaurants’ and shops. They make me want to cry. No, unless you have a very large and accessible Marks & Spencer’s food hall in the near vicinity, for someone with food sensitivities buying a quick bite to eat is a complex, risky and unsatisfying experience.
Over the years, I’ve discovered way and means to counteract this negativity. I travel in a very organised way, my luggage carries as much dairy-free milk and gluten-free grains as it does clothes, if not more, to be honest. I bring self-made picnics for journeys, I arrive at hotels with individual portions ready to supplement the inclusive breakfast, I plan shops to markets for fresh fruit, vegetables and meats, and I always carry a grain free slice or snack in my bag. All of which makes me look like a highly-strung obsessive, but also means that I get to eat breakfast, lunch and supper just like everyone else, so I can live with that. I have no issue with eating in an allergy-free way, in fact, I’d say it’s positively good for the soul, but I do mind missing out on a cup of tea and a biscuit and so, as in all things in life, preparation is key and putting a bit of effort in can do wonders.
These sticky marmalade chicken drumsticks are marvellous for a picnic, camping trip, alfresco lunch, impromptu barbeque, simple supper and long car journey – eat them cold with a simple salad and some decent wet wipes to hand.
STICKY MARMALADE CHICKEN
Serves 4
8 chicken drumsticks
2 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp lemon juice
2 cloves of garlic, crushed
3 tbsp marmalade
Prepare the chicken by cutting three slashes on each, about ½ cm deep. Place the chicken in a large, sealable freezer bag, pour over the olive oil, lemon juice and garlic, season well, seal the bag and mix together so that all of the chicken gets coated in the marinade. Place in the fridge to marinate for 3 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 200c. Take the chicken from the fridge and add the marmalade, mix well so that the marmalade is evenly distributed and then leave the chicken for 20 minutes to come up to room temperature. Place the drumsticks on a roasting tray and cook in the oven for 35 minutes, turning occasionally, until the chicken is golden and cooked through.
Chicken, Garlic, Lemon, Marmalade in Autunmnal, Lunches, Summertime, Suppers, dairy-free, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, soy-free, wheat-free, yeast-free
Reader Comments (7)
We made these over the weekend and they were just right for all the sunshine, they were also very tasty!
Thanks for commenting Sarah and so glad you liked them, it's definitely barbeque weather despite it being October!
I loved this light, tangy, zesty marinade. Perfect for eating on the go and of course, the best bit, licking your fingers afterwards! I'm drooling just remembering how good they were!
Thanks C.B so glad you enjoyed them so much!
These look really good, would it work with chicken thighs too?
Hi Simon, thanks for your comment. Yes, it really would but you should give them an extra ten minutes in the oven before serving.
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