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What is pollo al ajillo and why is it so connected to Andalusia?

Pollo al ajillo literally means “garlic chicken” and is a classic Spanish dish you’ll find in almost every village and taverna. Simple to make with chicken, garlic, olive oil and wine — yet full of aroma, flavour and the warmth of eating together.

The scent of Andalusia

In Andalusian villages you can often smell garlic in the air at dusk. A promise that something simple, warm and comforting is on its way to the table.

The first time we made pollo al ajillo, Feiko was wrestling with a garlic bulb that absolutely refused to cooperate. Half of it fell on the floor, the rest went into the pan — skin and all. The result? Surprisingly delicious. Because that’s the beauty of this dish: it’s almost impossible to get it wrong. Chicken, garlic, oil and time. That’s really all it needs.

A dish that never gets old

Pollo al ajillo is one of those classics every Spanish grandmother makes in her own way. One adds sherry, another lemon, others a generous amount of olive oil that you later mop up with bread.

We make it when the evening settles in. Out on the terrace, with a glass of wine and bread for dipping — and a view that never gets dull. It’s not just food, it’s rhythm. A dish that rounds off the day and says: you’ve done enough, now sit down and eat.

The recipe: our version of pollo al ajillo

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken cut into pieces (or approx. 1–1.2 kg chicken thighs)

• 1 bulb of garlic

• 5 tbsp olive oil

• 100 ml dry white wine or sherry

• salt and pepper

• fresh parsley

Preparation

1. Cut the chicken into pieces and season with salt and pepper.

2. Peel the garlic cloves and gently crush them.

3. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the garlic until golden (not brown!).

4. Add the chicken and brown it on all sides.

5. Deglaze with wine or sherry, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 20–30 minutes.

6. Finish with parsley and serve with bread for dipping.

Why this belongs with us

Here, garlic isn’t a supporting act — it’s the star. You smell it in the villages, you taste it in almost every dish. For us, this recipe belongs to the evenings at the Cortijo: sitting together outdoors, warm plates in front of us, surrounded by fresh air and something simple that somehow tastes rich.

It’s comfort food meant to be shared. And that’s exactly why pollo al ajillo belongs in our kitchen.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

What does pollo al ajillo mean?
Literally: garlic chicken. A traditional Spanish village and taverna dish.

Can you make this dish in advance?
Yes — it often tastes even better after resting overnight.

What do you serve with it?
Simple bread to soak up the juices. Sometimes roasted vegetables or a fresh salad.

Pollo al ajillo is an Andalusian classic: chicken, garlic, olive oil and wine in their purest form. A dish that brings comfort and togetherness — exactly what our evenings at Cortijo La Vista are about.

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Hasta luego from Andalusia,
Daniëlle | Cortijo La Vista

From duct tape to determination

We survived the kitchen. Literally. There was a shower head taped to the tap. The cupboard doors were hanging wonky like a drunk flamenco dancer and the cooker made noises that suggested it might be living its very last day. But it kept going. And so did we.

Plumber? Tiler? Just Feiko

Feiko is not a plumber, not a carpenter and definitely not a tiler. So he did everything himself. For the first time. And – surprisingly – really well. Water pipes rerouted? Check. Tiled splashback? Check. Worktop built from a sheet of wood? Check. And from the leftovers he made a table. I watched, thought along, chose colours and turned IKEA screws as if my life depended on it.

Reuse as a starting point

No marble worktop, no golden taps. Just a Leroy Merlin kitchen. But one that feels right. Because we built it together. And you can see that – in every corner, every quirk, every tile that’s just a little bit off. I love that.

We’ve reused almost everything: the floor, the ceilings with beams. The old kitchen unit? Now a sideboard in the bedroom. The cupboards? A workbench in the cellar. The bathroom tiles? We simply painted over them. Only the toilets and sinks were beyond saving — at some point you have to draw the line.

Why start with the kitchen?

Simple. We still commute, we’re renovating a lot, and every now and then you need somewhere to sit without finding cement in your coffee. That’s the place of calm we wanted to create first. For ourselves. Because when you’re living in the middle of a building site, a bit of quiet isn’t a luxury, it’s a basic need.

From kitchen to rooms

Now we’re moving on. To the guest rooms. To a place with charm and soul. Not too polished, not a hotel you could just as easily find in Berlin or Brussels. Our rooms are getting character. Each with its own atmosphere, inspired by the provinces of Andalusia. Authentic, warm.

Outdoor living with character

And outside? Terraces with a touch of Ibiza style – but without the party noise. Linen curtains, weathered wooden benches, views over cork oaks.

Building as a way of slowing down

Pinterest is full of our plans: mood boards for each room. Everything well thought through, but not over-designed. Because building, for us, is not a race. It’s about creating a place step by step where you feel at home – even if it’s your first time here.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Why did you start with the kitchen?
Because during a renovation you need one space where you can catch your breath. Without cement in your coffee, silence tastes better.

What exactly are you reusing?
Almost everything: floors, beams, cupboards, tiles. Only the toilets and sinks didn’t make it to the finish line.

How will the guest rooms get their atmosphere?
Each room will have its own style, based on an Andalusian province. With natural materials, warm colours and details that give it character.

We started with a kitchen full of duct tape, crooked cupboards and a cooker on its last legs. Now we’re building, step by step, a cortijo full of calm, character and charm – with a hint of humour in every tile.

Fijn dat je tot hier las — dat betekent veel. Wil je vaker meelezen? Een ♡ of gratis abonnement is altijd welkom.

Hasta luego vanuit Andalusië,
Daniëlle | Cortijo La Vista