Italian Chicken & Potato Tray Bake

Preheat the oven to 210°C (190°C fan / 415°F) — a high temperature is key to crispy skin and golden potatoes. Place the potato chunks in a large roasting tray, drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, season generously with salt and pepper, and toss to coat. Scatter the unpeeled garlic cloves and rosemary sprigs among the potatoes. Roast for 20 minutes until the potatoes are beginning to turn golden at the edges and are about halfway cooked through. Starting the potatoes first means they will be perfectly tender by the time the chicken is done.

While the potatoes roast, pat the chicken thighs completely dry with kitchen paper. Score the skin of each thigh 2–3 times with a sharp knife — this helps the fat render and the skin crisp up. Rub all over with the remaining olive oil and season very generously with salt and pepper, making sure to get into the scores. Remove the tray from the oven, push the potatoes to the sides, and nestle the chicken thighs skin-side up in the centre of the tray in a single layer. Pour the white wine around the edges of the tray.

Scatter the cherry tomatoes, olives, and capers around and between the chicken pieces. Tuck the lemon wedges into the gaps. Return the tray to the oven and roast for a further 30–35 minutes, without disturbing the chicken, until the skin is deeply golden and crackling-crisp, the potatoes are completely tender and caramelised, and the tomatoes have burst and collapsed into a jammy sauce. The chicken is done when the juices run completely clear when the thickest part is pierced with a skewer.

Remove the tray from the oven and rest for 5 minutes — this allows the chicken juices to settle and the potatoes to firm up slightly so they hold their shape when served. Taste the roasting juices pooled in the tray and adjust seasoning if needed. Serve straight from the tray at the table, squeezing the roasted lemon wedges over everything just before eating. The soft, caramelised garlic can be squeezed from its skin directly onto the potatoes for an extra layer of sweetness.