Chicken Chardonnay Stew: A Comforting Winter Delight
Are you tired of the same boring chicken recipes? Do you want to spice up your taste buds with something different but delicious? Look no further than this Chicken Chardonnay Stew recipe.
This dish is perfect for any occasion, whether it’s a cozy night in or a fancy dinner party. The aroma of chicken and white wine will fill your home and leave everyone’s mouths watering.
What’s even better is that it’s a one-pot meal, meaning less dishes for you to clean up! With just a few easy steps, you’ll have a hearty and flavorful stew that will satisfy every appetite.
Trust me, once you try this Chicken Chardonnay Stew recipe, it will become a staple in your dinner rotation. Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
If you’re looking for a hearty, comforting and delicious meal to warm you up on a chilly night, then this Chicken Chardonnay Stew recipe is the answer. This classic French-inspired dish features tender chicken meat simmered in a savory broth made from white wine and chicken stock.
One of the reasons you’ll love this recipe is its simplicity. With just a few ingredients, you can create a flavorful and satisfying one-pot meal that will feed your whole family. The recipe calls for boneless chicken breasts or thighs, onion, celery, and carrot – all of which are budget-friendly ingredients that can be easily found at any grocery store.
Another reason you’ll love this recipe is that it’s versatile. While some recipes call for coq au vin using sauvignon blanc or other dry white wines, this chardonnay chicken stew uses Chardonnay wine as the secret ingredient to complement the mild flavor of the chicken meat. You can also switch up the vegetables and seasoning to your liking – adding more garlic, herbs, or even mushrooms.
But what really sets this recipe apart from others is the rich and complex flavors that come from cooking with white wine. Chardonnay wine has bold fruit notes like apple and citrus, as well as subtle hints of oak and vanilla. When combined with chicken broth, butter, and flour – it creates a decadent sauce that elevates the humble chicken stew into something truly special.
Finally, another reason to love this recipe is its health benefits. Chicken meat is an excellent source of lean protein, while vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery provide essential vitamins and minerals. Plus, because this recipe uses olive oil instead of butter for cooking chicken breast halves, it’s lower in calories and fat without sacrificing flavor.
In conclusion, there are many reasons why you’ll love this Chicken Chardonnay Stew recipe – its simplicity, versatility, bold flavors, and health benefits. So, go ahead and give it a try – you won’t be disappointed!
Ingredient List
To make this chicken chardonnay stew recipe, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 pounds of boneless chicken thighs or one pound of boneless chicken breasts
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon of black pepper
- 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of butter
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- 1 teaspoon of instant chicken bouillon or two chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 cup of water
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 1 cup of dry white wine (such as chardonnay or sauvignon blanc)
Note: For a creamier version, you can use heavy cream instead of wine.
The Recipe How-To
Once you’ve gathered all the ingredients needed, it’s time to head to the kitchen and start creating this savory Chicken Chardonnay Stew. It’s a simple and straightforward recipe that doesn’t require any fancy or complicated techniques.
Step One: Preparing the Vegetables
Start off by washing and chopping 1 onion, 2 celery stalks, and 2 carrots into bite-sized pieces.
Step Two: Browning the Chicken
In a large pot over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add 1 pound of boneless chicken thigh or breast, cut into bite-sized pieces, and cook until browned on all sides.
Step Three: Cooking the Vegetables
Add the chopped vegetables to the pot and sauté for a few minutes until they begin to soften.
Step Four: Making the Roux
Next, sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flour over the chicken and vegetables, stirring constantly to form a paste-like mixture. Cook it for about a minute to create a roux.
Step Five: Adding Liquids
Stir in 1 cup of Chardonnay wine, 1 cup of chicken broth, and 1 teaspoon of instant chicken bouillon or crushed chicken bouillon cubes. Keep stirring until everything is well combined.
Step Six: Simmering Time
Let it simmer for about 15-20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened up slightly. Season with ¼ teaspoon of salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste).
Serve hot and enjoy your delicious one-pot meal!
Pro tip: You can also make this recipe in a slow cooker or Instant Pot for added convenience.
Note: If you prefer chicken breast over chicken thigh, you can use boneless chicken breast halves instead. Also, you can use a dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, in place of Chardonnay. Feel free to experiment with the recipe to make it your own!
Substitutions and Variations
Do you want to change up the flavors of this classic chicken chardonnay stew recipe? Here are a few substitutions and variations worth trying.
– Replace the chicken with beef: You can easily turn this recipe into a classic French dish by substituting chicken with beef. It’s called “coq au vin,” but instead of using chicken meat, use beef cubes or bourguignon-style beef.
– Use sauvignon blanc instead of chardonnay: If you don’t have chardonnay available or prefer a different white wine, try sauvignon blanc. It has a crisp, herbaceous flavor that complements savory dishes like this one.
– Make it creamy: For a richer, creamier version of the stew, add a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk after cooking.
– Try different vegetables: The combination of onion, celery, and carrot is classic for stews, but there’s no reason why you can’t experiment with different veggies. Some other great additions could be mushrooms or bell peppers.
– Use boneless chicken breast halves instead of thigh: If you prefer white meat over dark, swap out the chicken thighs for boneless chicken breasts. It will still be delicious.
– Add herbs: To give the stew a fragrant lift, try adding fresh herbs like thyme, rosemary, or tarragon.
Remember that cooking is all about experimenting and discovering your own personal preferences. Don’t be afraid to try out new flavor combinations and make this recipe your own!
Serving and Pairing
After cooking up a pot of this hearty and delicious Chicken Chardonnay Stew, you’ll want to enjoy it with the perfect pairing. The creamy and delicate flavors of this slow-cooked chicken dish make it a versatile meal that can be served with a variety of sides and wines.
One classic option for pairing is to serve this chicken stew with a side of crusty bread, which can be used to soak up the rich wine sauce. Alternatively, you could opt for a serving of rice or creamy mashed potatoes, which will help to balance out the savory flavors of the dish.
As for wine pairings, there are several options that would work well with this chicken chardonnay recipe. A dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc pairs particularly well, as its crisp acidity complements the buttery notes in the dish. Of course, you can’t go wrong by serving it with a glass of Chardonnay wine either.
For those who prefer red wines, coq au vin blanc might be a good option. This French classic also features chicken cooked in white wine sauce, and has similar flavor profiles that could complement this recipe very well.
However you choose to serve this classic one-pot meal, enjoy every delicious bite while savoring each sip of your chosen wine. Bon Appétit!
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re short on time for meal prep during the week, this Chicken Chardonnay Stew recipe is perfect for making ahead. This one-pot meal can be refrigerated for up to three days or frozen for up to three months.
To store in the refrigerator, let the stew cool to room temperature before placing it in an airtight container. You can also freeze individual portions in freezer bags for an easy meal on-the-go.
When reheating, simply transfer the desired amount of stew into a pot and heat it up slowly over low heat. Be sure to stir occasionally so it doesn’t burn at the bottom. The chicken will stay tender and juicy, and the vegetables will maintain their flavorful appeal.
If you’re using a slow cooker, cook on low heat for 4-6 hours or on high heat for 2-3 hours. And if you’re short on time in the morning, you can prepare all the ingredients the night before and then simply add them to the slow cooker when you’re ready to start cooking.
Regardless of how you choose to store or reheat this dish, you can rest assured that its flavors will only enhance with time. So don’t be afraid to make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week!
Tips for Perfect Results
Here are some tips for you to make the perfect chicken chardonnay stew every time:
1. Use boneless chicken thighs: They have more flavor and remain moist in a slow-cooked recipe like this.
2. Do not skip the butter: Adding butter at the beginning of the recipe helps to enhance the flavor of the stew.
3. Brown the chicken: Browing the chicken first helps to lock in all of the juices and adds a depth of flavor.
4. Sauce consistency: If you prefer your chardonnay sauce thicker, when adding flour to thicken, mix a few tablespoons of hot water to the flour before adding it to prevent any lumps from forming.
5. Slow cooker alternative: If you are tight on time, or simply prefer a hands-off approach, use a slow cooker on low heat for six hours.
6. Deglaze the pan: After browning the chicken, deglaze your cooking pot with white wine, scraping up all those delicious brown bits with a wooden spoon that will only add more richness to your dish.
7. Season carefully: do not forget to taste as you cook to ensure perfect seasoning
8. Take off excess fat before serving: If there is an excess layer of fat on top of the stew, remove it with paper towels before serving
Follow these tips above, and you will surely impress your guests with your perfectly cooked Chicken Chardonnay Stew!
FAQ
Now, let’s move on to the FAQ section of this Chicken Chardonnay Stew recipe. Here, I’ll address some common questions you may have about the dish and give you some advice on how to ensure that your stew turns out just right every time.
What wine is best for chicken stew?
When it comes to pairing wines with meals, my go-to choices for red wines are single varietals such as Pinot Noir and Carignan, as well as red blends. In my experience, heavier and more tannic red wines like Cabernet Sauvignon may not be the best option for pairing with food.
What do you serve with chicken stew?
As a sommelier, I’m always on the lookout for great food and drink pairings. And what better way to do that than with some delicious recipes? Today, I’ve found three amazing recipes that I think would be perfect for any dinner party: a Kale and Brussels Sprouts Salad, Crock Pot Bread, and Roasted Cauliflower. Each recipe is unique, but they all have one thing in common: they would go great with a glass of wine. So grab a bottle and let’s get cooking!
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this chicken chardonnay stew recipe is sure to become a family favorite. Its delicious, creamy white wine sauce pairs perfectly with tender chicken and hearty vegetables, making for a satisfying one-pot meal. And with the option to use boneless chicken thighs or breasts, as well as various substitutions and variations, this recipe can be tailored to fit any taste or occasion.
I highly recommend giving this recipe a try – whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or an impressive dish to serve at your next gathering. So go ahead and pour yourself a glass of chardonnay, get cooking, and enjoy the savory flavors of this mouth-watering chicken chardonnay stew!
Chicken Chardonnay Stew Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (1 lb) package chicken thigh
- flour
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup Chardonnay wine
- 2 chicken bouillon cubes
- 1 (2 g) packet instant chicken bouillon
- chopped carrot
- chopped celery
- chopped onion
- 1 cup water
Instructions
- Coat chicken in flour mixture.
- In dutch oven and brown chicken in 2 tablespoons of butter.
- Add more butter as needed.
- Add carrots, onion and celery on top of chicken.
- Add rest of ingredients into dutch oven and bring to a boil.
- Lower heat and simmer 1 hour.
- Remove chicken from liquid and take meat off bones.
- Liquid should be on thick side like stew.
- Add small chicken pieces back into stew.
- Add more flour for thickness or water for less thickness.
- Simmer till vegetables are tender.