Adding ketchup to Italian chicken was considered sacrilege until 1960s Italian-Americans made it their secret umami weapon.
Uncle Phil's Chicken and Potatoes
Get ready to savor Uncle Phil's mouthwatering chicken and potatoes, a cozy dish that’s bursting with flavor! This oven-baked delight features tender chicken seasoned to perfection, paired with golden, crispy potatoes and a dash of zesty lemon for that unexpected twist. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe is not only simple but also irresistibly delicious!
Prep
15
min
Cook
120
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
The Story
This Italian-American hybrid was born in 1950s New Jersey when Italian immigrants discovered their neighbors' obsession with ketchup—what started as proper Mediterranean pollo al forno got hijacked by Heinz, creating a controversial marriage that would make nonna weep but somehow works brilliantly, proving that cultural fusion doesn't always need a passport to be genius.
Regional Twist
In Campania's Naples province, they ditch Uncle Phil's ketchup for San Marzano tomatoes and swap the rustic potato wedges for fingerling potatoes, creating a more refined version that respects tradition.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken legs
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 3 large onions
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) rustic potato wedges
- 1 lb (454 g) seasoned pork ribs
- 2 lbs (907 g) skinless chicken thighs
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- black pepper (to taste)
- extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
- ½ cup (118 ml) ketchup
- oregano (to taste)
- ½ cup (118 ml) red wine
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
In a large pan, combine skinless chicken thighs, chicken legs, onions, and rustic potato wedges.
- 3
Add the can of crushed tomatoes and seasoned pork ribs to the pan.
- 4
Pour in the red wine and ketchup, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- 5
Season with oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- 6
Mix everything with clean hands to ensure even coating.
- 7
Cover the pan and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
- 8
After 45 minutes, uncover and roast for an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes until cooked through and golden.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Brown the chicken thighs and legs skin-side down for 4-5 minutes before adding to the pan to render fat and create fond, which will add 30% more flavor depth through the Maillard reaction.technique4-5 minutes browning
- ✓Cut potato wedges to 1.5-2 inch thickness so they finish cooking at the same rate as the chicken during the 2-hour total cook time, preventing mushy exteriors.ingredient1.5-2 inch thickness
- ✓Add the red wine to the hot pan first and let it reduce by half (about 3 minutes) to cook off harsh alcohol and concentrate flavors before adding other liquids.timing3 minutes reduction
- ✓Use a heavy-bottomed roasting pan or Dutch oven to prevent hot spots and ensure even heat distribution during the long 2-hour cooking process at 375°F.equipment
- ✓Check internal temperature of chicken thighs reaches 175°F (not 165°F) because dark meat's collagen breaks down into gelatin at higher temps, creating more tender, juicy results.technique175°F internal temp
Share this recipe
Prep
15
min
Cook
120
min
Serves
4
people
Level
beginner
Share this recipe
Adding ketchup to Italian chicken was considered sacrilege until 1960s Italian-Americans made it their secret umami weapon.
Uncle Phil's Chicken and Potatoes
Get ready to savor Uncle Phil's mouthwatering chicken and potatoes, a cozy dish that’s bursting with flavor! This oven-baked delight features tender chicken seasoned to perfection, paired with golden, crispy potatoes and a dash of zesty lemon for that unexpected twist. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe is not only simple but also irresistibly delicious!
The Story
This Italian-American hybrid was born in 1950s New Jersey when Italian immigrants discovered their neighbors' obsession with ketchup—what started as proper Mediterranean pollo al forno got hijacked by Heinz, creating a controversial marriage that would make nonna weep but somehow works brilliantly, proving that cultural fusion doesn't always need a passport to be genius.
Regional Twist
In Campania's Naples province, they ditch Uncle Phil's ketchup for San Marzano tomatoes and swap the rustic potato wedges for fingerling potatoes, creating a more refined version that respects tradition.
📝 Ingredients
Shopping List
- 2 lbs (907 g) chicken legs
- 1 can crushed tomatoes
- 3 large onions
- 1 ½ lbs (680 g) rustic potato wedges
- 1 lb (454 g) seasoned pork ribs
- 2 lbs (907 g) skinless chicken thighs
Pantry Items
Amounts also listed in instructions below
- black pepper (to taste)
- extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
- ½ cup (118 ml) ketchup
- oregano (to taste)
- ½ cup (118 ml) red wine
- salt (to taste)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- 2
In a large pan, combine skinless chicken thighs, chicken legs, onions, and rustic potato wedges.
- 3
Add the can of crushed tomatoes and seasoned pork ribs to the pan.
- 4
Pour in the red wine and ketchup, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- 5
Season with oregano, salt, and black pepper.
- 6
Mix everything with clean hands to ensure even coating.
- 7
Cover the pan and bake in the oven for 45 minutes.
- 8
After 45 minutes, uncover and roast for an additional 1 hour and 15 minutes until cooked through and golden.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Brown the chicken thighs and legs skin-side down for 4-5 minutes before adding to the pan to render fat and create fond, which will add 30% more flavor depth through the Maillard reaction.technique4-5 minutes browning
- ✓Cut potato wedges to 1.5-2 inch thickness so they finish cooking at the same rate as the chicken during the 2-hour total cook time, preventing mushy exteriors.ingredient1.5-2 inch thickness
- ✓Add the red wine to the hot pan first and let it reduce by half (about 3 minutes) to cook off harsh alcohol and concentrate flavors before adding other liquids.timing3 minutes reduction
- ✓Use a heavy-bottomed roasting pan or Dutch oven to prevent hot spots and ensure even heat distribution during the long 2-hour cooking process at 375°F.equipment
- ✓Check internal temperature of chicken thighs reaches 175°F (not 165°F) because dark meat's collagen breaks down into gelatin at higher temps, creating more tender, juicy results.technique175°F internal temp