A taste test of chicken traybake recipes from celebrity chefs Rick Stein and Mary Berry has revealed a clear winner, with Stein's version proving both tastier and cheaper. The comparison was carried out by Angela Patrone, a senior lifestyle reporter, who prepared both dishes at home.
Mary Berry's Mediterranean all-in-one chicken recipe calls for chicken thighs and drumsticks, colourful vegetables, and preserved lemons. Patrone made two modifications: she omitted green olives and extended the cooking time by 10 minutes after adding courgettes. While she found the dish delicious, she noted that the saltwater coating from the preserved lemons was not to her liking and would substitute fresh lemon next time.
Rick Stein's chicken, lemon and garlic traybake uses chicken thighs, fennel, courgette slices, baby potatoes, and fresh lemons. The recipe required browning the chicken in a pan before oven-baking, which resulted in crispier skin and moist meat. Patrone praised the superior flavour from fresh lemons and the modest, inexpensive ingredient list.
Patrone reported that she has made Stein's version three times in the past month, citing its better taste and lower cost compared to Berry's recipe. Despite requiring more preparation, Stein's traybake emerged as the winner in both flavour and value.
