40 Clove Garlic Chicken Recipe

I love pulling out all the stops for dinner parties, but of course I want it to be easy! So this chicken with 40 cloves of garlic is a go-to recipe of mine any time I’m hosting friends or family, because it’s deceptively impressive. No one would ever believe just how simple this French chicken recipe really is!

What’s in chicken with 40 cloves of garlic?

Earthy herbs, fresh citrus, honey, seasonings and of course lots of fresh garlic come together to create the most flavorful chicken! Here are just a few ingredients that really stand out to me:

Chicken Leg Quarters: This is the best cut of chicken for this recipe, since they are stronger in flavor and cook perfectly every time. Garlic: You’ll need whole heads of garlic AND some peeled garlic cloves. Herbs: Ground thyme and dry rosemary leaves add a wonderful herbaceous element to this recipe. You can also add fresh rosemary stems to enhance this flavor even more if you’d like.

Can you make 40 clove garlic chicken with skinless chicken?

Yes! Any cut of chicken you like most will work for this garlic chicken recipe. If you decide to go the skinless route, I recommend using boneless skinless chicken thighs so the final results are still as tender as they’d be with leg quarters.

How to Store and Reheat

Store leftover 40 clove garlic chicken in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for 3 months. Reheat it in a 350°F oven until fully warmed through.

Notes and Tips

If you’re not sure if the chicken is fully cooked, I always recommend using a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken–once it reads 165°F, it’s fully cooked and ready to eat.

How to Make 40 Clove Garlic Chicken Step by Step

Prepare the chicken and garlic: Chop the top half inch off of 3 whole heads of garlic. Add 3 chicken leg quarters, whole garlic heads, and 40 garlic cloves to a baking dish. Make the olive oil mixture: In a bowl, add 1/2 cup olive oil, the juice of 1 orange, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 1 teaspoon of dry rosemary, 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix to combine. Bake: Pour the mixture evenly all over the chicken. Bake at 350°F for 35-40 minutes. Serve: Serve 40 clove garlic chicken with 3 fresh rosemary stems and enjoy!