Easy Halloumi Recipe Inspired by Chicken Marbella
Let’s talk about dinner parties, Tuesday nights, and those magical moments when flavor does the absolute most—with minimal effort. That’s exactly what Chef Casey Corn’s Halloumi Marbella delivers: a halloumi recipe that’s tangy, rich, salty, sweet, and just complex enough to impress, while still being 100% weeknight-friendly.
And yes, California Prunes are the secret ingredient making it all sing.
An Easy Halloumi Recipe + Modern Take on a Classic
You may remember Chicken Marbella from the ’80s—juicy chicken roasted with olives, capers, and dried fruit. It was a dinner party classic for a reason: sweet-savory always wins. But this vegetarian spin? It’s genius.
Enter: halloumi. That salty, grill-able cheese with a chewy bite and a habit of stealing the show. When baked with California Prunes, green olives, capers, and a glug of wine, the result is Mediterranean magic that hits all the right notes.
Here’s why we’re obsessed with this halloumi recipe:
- Prunes bring bold sweetness with rich, almost caramel-like depth that plays perfectly with the briny olives and capers.
- They help balance salt from the cheese and acidity from vinegar, creating a sauce that’s spoon-drinkable (don’t say we didn’t warn you).
- They’re good for you. As in: packed with fiber, antioxidants, and clinically proven to support gut and bone health. That’s right—delicious and doing your body a solid.
Pro tips for serving Halloumi Marbella
- Going casual? Tear off a piece of crusty bread and scoop it right up. Bonus points for smushing the prunes onto the bread like a sweet-savory jam.
- Want a full meal? Serve it over couscous, pasta, or a bed of farro and arugula. The sauce will soak in and turn everything gold.
- Meal prep magic: It keeps beautifully in the fridge and may even be better the next day.
Why California Prunes?
This dish works because California Prunes don’t just add sweetness—they bring richness, texture, and complexity. Grown in sunny California orchards, they’re naturally sweet, never sugar-coated, and sustainably produced. So when you’re using them in your cooking, you’re getting real flavor from real fruit—with no fuss.
You’re Going to Love This One!
Halloumi Marbella is what happens when big flavor meets easy prep—and when prunes step out of the snack drawer and into the spotlight. Try it once, and you’ll start wondering what else prunes can do. (Spoiler: a lot.)
Whether you’re hosting friends or just making Tuesday feel a little more luxe, this dish is your new go-to. And trust us: the prunes will be the part people rave about.
Halloumi Marbella
Equipment
- small baking dish
- Sharp knife
- Cutting Board
- Large mixing bowl
- Spoon or basting brush
Ingredients
- 2 blocks halloumi cheese 7.9 ounces / 225 grams each
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¾ cup California Prunes
- ½ cup pitted green olives
- 2 TBSP capers
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 garlic cloves peeled and crushed
- 2 TBSP fresh oregano chopped
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ⅛ tsp ground white pepper
- ¼ cup white wine
- 2 TBSP honey
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) .
Prep the halloumi:
- Unwrap and pat the halloumi dry. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut a crosshatch pattern halfway through each block—be careful not to cut all the way through. Set aside.
Make the marinade:
- In a large bowl, combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, California Prunes, green olives, capers, bay leaves, garlic, oregano, salt, white pepper, and white wine.
(Optional) Marinate the halloumi:
- You may place the halloumi into the marinade cut-side up for 30 minutes to 2 hours (or overnight). Be gentle—the cheese can be delicate.
Assemble for baking:
- Pour the marinade into a small baking dish and nestle the halloumi blocks cut-side up into the sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the top, then drizzle with honey.
Bake:
- Place in the oven and bake for 45 minutes, basting the cheese with the sauce every 15 minutes. The tops should be golden and crispy.
Rest and serve:
- Let sit for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy with crusty bread, or serve over couscous, pasta, or grains and greens for a heartier dish.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
All the Marbella Recipes You Need to Try
The Original Recipe for Chicken Marbella
The iconic 1980s dish is back. This is the original Chicken Marbella recipe that made sweet and savory famous—featuring prunes, olives, and capers in a bold, flavorful marinade.
Beans Marbella
This vegetarian twist on the classic dish combines hearty white beans with the sweet, briny flavors of prunes, olives, and capers for a satisfying and unexpected plant-based main.
Sheet Pan Chicken Marbella from This Mess is Ours
This sheet pan version of Chicken Marbella from This Mess is Ours delivers all the bold flavor with none of the fuss. It’s a quick, easy weeknight meal that still feels special.
Pork Marbella from Britney Breaks Bread
A modern spin on a classic, this Pork Marbella from Britney Breaks Bread swaps in juicy pork for chicken and keeps the signature sweet-savory balance with California Prunes, green olives, and herbs.
Meet Chef Casey Corn
Casey Corn was born and raised in Santa Monica, CA. Casey attended Connecticut College where she found that her love of food could be explored academically. She graduated in 2010 after focusing her studies on food anthropology and writing her thesis on olive oil.
Since then, her love of traveling and food has taken her all over the world to live, learn and eat, from her hometown to New York, London, France, Southeast Asia, India and more. Casey attended Le Cordon Bleu, London, and received her diploma in Cuisine.
After working in kitchens in LA, Casey started her own culinary company, The Cornivore, and began working with Tastemade as a Tastemaker, starring in recipe videos and covering unique food experiences around the world for their social channels. She’s since worked with companies like Le Gruyere AOP, Sfoglini, Fulton Fish Market, Subway, Tabasco and more.
Now based in Atlanta, Georgia, Casey continues to work in development and consulting. You can also find her hosting Magnolia Network’s Recipe Lost & Found, streaming now on HBO Max.