Impress your dinner guests with French Wine Chicken

Bonjour, my fellow culinary enthusiasts. Today, I want to share with you a classic French dish that is sure to tantalize your taste buds and leave you feeling satisfied. I present to you, the French Wine Chicken Recipe.

This dish is packed full of flavor and features tender boneless skinless chicken breasts simmered in a delicious dry white wine sauce. It’s a hearty and comforting meal that can be enjoyed any day of the week.

As a sommelier, I believe that food and wine should always complement each other. And this recipe is no exception. The use of a dry white wine in the cooking process adds just the right amount of acidity to cut through the richness of the chicken, creating a perfect balance of flavors.

In addition to its delectable taste, this recipe is also incredibly easy to make. It requires only one pan and takes less than an hour from start to finish. So what are you waiting for? Grab your apron and let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

French Wine Chicken
French Wine Chicken

Are you looking for a tasty and classic French dish to add to your recipe collection? Look no further than this French Wine Chicken Recipe, also known as Coq au Vin! Trust me, you’ll love it.

First of all, it’s incredibly easy to make. With simple ingredients like boneless skinless chicken breasts, dry white wine, and fresh herbs like thyme and parsley, you can whip up a restaurant-quality meal in no time. Plus, everything cooks in just one pan for easy cleanup!

But just because it’s easy to make doesn’t mean it’s lacking in flavor. The dish is rich and savory with a complexity of flavors that will have your taste buds dancing. The white wine sauce perfectly complements the tender chicken pieces, making for a mouthwatering combination.

And let’s not forget the versatility of this recipe. You can serve it with cooked rice, roasted vegetables, or even some crusty bread to soak up all that delicious sauce. It’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home or a fancy dinner party among friends.

So what are you waiting for? Make this classic French dish tonight and taste the difference of a meal made with quality ingredients and love.

Ingredient List

 Savor the taste of France with this delectable French Wine Chicken!
Savor the taste of France with this delectable French Wine Chicken!

Boneless skinless chicken breasts are the star of this recipe, but if you prefer other parts of the chicken, go ahead and use them. Dry white wine is a must-have ingredient to create an authentic French dish like this French Wine Chicken Recipe. Other common ingredients in French cuisine include Spanish onion, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper. For seasoning, we’ll use coarse salt, fresh thyme leave, fresh coarse ground black pepper, Season-All salt, and garlic powder. To make the delectable wine sauce, we recommend having some stocked up butter along with a cup of your preferred dry white wine such as a sauvignon blanc. Optional ingredients include sliced water chestnuts and fresh curly-leaf parsley for garnishing. If you prefer using bone-in chicken like drumsticks or thighs, just make sure to adjust cooking time accordingly. Lastly, we always recommend purchasing high-quality ingredients that are ethically sourced, such as those from Coles RSPCA Approved Australian chicken.

The Recipe How-To

 The perfect dish for an evening of romance or a fancy dinner party.
The perfect dish for an evening of romance or a fancy dinner party.

Step 1: Prep the Chicken

  • First, preheat your oven to 350°F.

  • Then, season the chicken with coarse salt, fresh thyme leave, and fresh coarse ground black pepper. Be sure to coat both sides of each chicken breast evenly with the seasoning.

  • Next, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 3 tablespoons of butter until it begins to foam. Once the butter is sizzling, add the boneless skinless chicken breasts and cook for approximately 4 minutes per side or until golden brown.

  • Remove the chicken from the skillet and place it in a roasting pan, then add 1 cup of dry white wine to the skillet.

  • Use a wooden spoon or spatula to scrape any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet while stirring. Once you’ve deglazed the skillet, set aside the wine sauce.

Step 2: Add More Flavors

  • In a separate pan, melt another 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.

  • To that, add one medium-sized Spanish onion (finely chopped) and cook until it’s softened and just starting to caramelize.

  • Add in one red bell pepper (chopped), one green bell pepper(chopped), and sliced water chestnuts (can) into fine pieces.

  • Continue cooking your vegetable mixture over medium heat for an additional 5 minutes until everything is well combined.

  • Now it’s time to add in 1 tbsp garlic powder, and Season All salt to taste.

Step 3: Braise Your Chicken with Wine Sauce

  • Pour your vegetable mixture over your browned chicken breasts in a pot or large Dutch oven.

  • Then pour in wine sauce that you prepared before.

  • Cover the pot or Dutch oven, and let the chicken cook until it’s tender and easily falls apart- approximately an hour.

  • Serve your French Wine Chicken hot over cooked rice, garnishing with fresh curly-leaf parsley.

This French Wine Chicken Recipe is an easy one-pan dish that is perfect for a cozy night in with a glass of your favorite sauvignon blanc.

Substitutions and Variations

 Enjoy the rich and robust flavors of red wine infused into tender chicken.
Enjoy the rich and robust flavors of red wine infused into tender chicken.

Making substitutions and variations is an excellent way to customize any recipe. The French Wine Chicken Recipe offers you plenty of opportunities to experiment.

For the wine, a dry white wine like sauvignon blanc or chardonnay can work interchangeably with the recipe’s recommended one cup of dry white wine. Red wine, such as pinot noir or cabernet sauvignon, can also be used for chicken dish variations.

For those who avoid alcohol, replace the wine with a combination of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar and chicken broth. This substitution gives the dish an acidic touch that enhances its flavors.

If you want to add some vegetables to your French Wine Chicken casserole, sliced mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, and green beans are great options. You may also substitute water chestnuts with sliced celery or parsnips for added texture and flavor.

To make it a one-pan meal, switch boneless skinless chicken breasts with chicken drumsticks or thighs to cook everything in the same pan. Alternatively, try making this recipe in a slow cooker for a more hands-off and tender meal.

Finally, consider trying some of the traditional French versions of this classic chicken dish such as Coq au Vin or Chicken Fricassee Recipe. Either option has slight differences in preparation and ingredients but may offer mouth-watering variations of the French Wine Chicken recipe you may love.

Serving and Pairing

 The aroma of onions, garlic, and herbs will fill your kitchen, tantalizing your taste buds.
The aroma of onions, garlic, and herbs will fill your kitchen, tantalizing your taste buds.

This French Wine Chicken Recipe is a classic French dish that is perfect for any special occasion or when you’re looking to impress your guests with your culinary skills. This dish pairs exceptionally well with a dry white wine, such as sauvignon blanc. The dryness of the wine perfectly complements the rich flavors of the dish, making it an unforgettable culinary experience.

To further elevate the flavor profile of this dish, consider serving it alongside some cooked rice and a side salad made with fresh curly-leaf parsley. This will add texture and freshness to the meal, balancing out the richness of the sauce and chicken.

This recipe features a wine sauce, making it a natural choice for pairing with a glass of white wine from France. A well-known wine region in France that produces excellent dry white wines is Bordeaux. A cup of dry white Bordeaux wine would be an excellent match for this classic French dish.

If you prefer red wine, then a Pinot Noir would make for an excellent pairing. The acidity and fruity notes in Pinot Noir would complement the mushrooms in the sauce and enhance the flavor of the chicken.

Overall, this French Wine Chicken Recipe is effortless to make yet impressive when presented. Serving it with a crisp green salad and paired with a bright white Bordeaux can elevate your dining experience beyond your expectations.

Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating

 Juicy, succulent chicken simmered to perfection in a rich, mouthwatering sauce.
Juicy, succulent chicken simmered to perfection in a rich, mouthwatering sauce.

The French Wine Chicken Recipe is a perfect dish for meal prep as it tastes even better when reheated. The dish can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to four days. You can also freeze the chicken for longer storage up to two months. To reheat, thaw the frozen chicken in the fridge overnight, and then reheat it in a skillet or oven.

If you are preparing this recipe ahead of time, then I suggest skipping step 3 in The Recipe How-To section till last minute. Brown the chicken breasts, veggies and deglaze the wine inside the insert of the slow cooker instead (do not turn it on yet). Store the browned chicken and veggies in an airtight container overnight, and when ready to cook, add them to the slow cooker with freshly made sauce.

When reheating this dish, make sure not to overcook the chicken as it can dry out. To prevent this, add some additional sauce when reheating to keep it moist. You can also store any leftover sauce separately from the chicken and heat it up separately.

Overall, if you love meal prepping or are always on-the-go but still want a delicious home-cooked meal, this recipe is perfect for you!

Tips for Perfect Results

 Pair with a glass of your favorite red wine and some crusty French bread for the ultimate French dining experience.
Pair with a glass of your favorite red wine and some crusty French bread for the ultimate French dining experience.

A great dish takes time and effort to create. But don’t worry, with a few pro tips, I’ll help you achieve the perfect French Wine Chicken dish that will surely impress your friends and family. Here are some tips to ensure you get flavorful and succulent results:

1. Use a high-quality, dry white wine

The right wine can make or break this recipe. I recommend going for a sauvignon blanc or a chardonnay, which are both well-known for their floral and fruity flavors. Avoid sweet wines as they can overpower the dish.

2. Marinate the chicken overnight

Marinating your chicken overnight allows the flavors of the herbs and spices to infuse into the meat. This ensures that every bite is packed with flavor.

3. Do not overcook the chicken

Overcooking the chicken will leave it dry and tasteless. As a general rule, cook the chicken for 20-25 minutes or until it is no longer pink inside.

4. Use boneless skinless chicken breasts

Using boneless skinless chicken breasts ensures even cooking and that every bite is succulent.

5. Season generously

This dish is all about flavor, so do not be shy when it comes to seasoning the ingredients with coarse salt, fresh thyme leaves, fresh coarse ground black pepper, and Season-All salt.

6. Adjust seasoning to taste

Once you have cooked everything, taste it before serving, and adjust seasoning if needed. Remember, everyone’s taste buds are different, so it’s important to customize based on your preferences.

By following these tips, you can elevate this classic French dish and turn it into a masterpiece!

FAQ

As we finish up with our French Wine Chicken Recipe, let’s take some time to answer some frequently asked questions. These questions will help you understand the recipe better and provide clarity to any issues or doubts that will arise while cooking the dish. Keep in mind that this recipe is highly customizable, so don’t hesitate to make modifications to suite your preferences or experiment with different ingredients.

What is the French wine with chicken on it?

An exquisite dish called Coq Au Vin, which means Rooster In Wine, can be created using chicken and red wine. The wine of choice is often Burgundy, but Riesling can also be used. This dish is comparable to Beef Bourguignon as both entail bacon strips, onions, and garlic.

What is Chicken French sauce made of?

To make a savory sauce, combine ½ cup of white wine, ¼ cup of lemon juice from 2 juicy lemons, and 2 cups of low-sodium chicken broth or chicken stock in a mixing bowl. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.

What is the best wine for coq au vin?

When it comes to making coq au vin, it’s customary to use a Burgundy wine such as a pinot noir. However, I’ve found that lighter red wines like Tempranillo and Gamay Noir can work just as well. The key here is to use a wine that you personally enjoy as it contributes a substantial amount of flavor to the dish.

What is the best wine for cooking chicken?

When choosing a wine for cooking, both sauvignon blanc and chardonnay are reliable options. Sauvignon blanc is known for its refreshing taste, while chardonnay has a richer flavor. However, their unique characteristics tend to fade away when incorporated into dishes, making them equally effective ingredients.

Bottom Line

I hope you are now itching to try this French Wine Chicken Recipe. With its bold flavors and succulent texture, it’s a dish every food lover must try. The recipe has simple ingredients that are easily available, and the cooking process is exhilarating.

Pair this dish with a sauvignon blanc for the perfect flavor combination. Not only will it enhance the flavor profile of the chicken, but it will also complement the aroma, making for an unmatched culinary experience.

Whether you’re looking to spice up your weeknight dinners, or host an elegant dinner party, this recipe is versatile enough to fit any occasion.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab that bottle of dry white wine and let’s get cooking! Trust me; it’ll be worth every second of your time spent in the kitchen. You won’t find a more indulgent French dish than this one. Try it today!

French Wine Chicken

French Wine Chicken Recipe

This is an excellent recipe that had a rich gravy and some crunch. I love to make this when I have company. They think I spent hours preparing it and love it.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 20 mins
Cook Time 35 mins
Course Main Course
Cuisine French
Calories 381.9 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 tablespoon lawreys Season-All salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leave
  • 1 tablespoon coarse salt (I prefer grey or kosher)
  • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 medium Spanish onion, finely diced
  • 1/2 large green bell pepper, finely diced
  • 1/2 large red bell pepper, finely diced
  • 4 ounces sliced water chestnuts, drained (these are in a can on the grocers shelf)
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 cups good dry white wine (I must insist that you use a good quality wine for this recipe or if you prefer you may omit the win)
  • 10 1/2 ounces reduced-sodium golden mushroom soup
  • 10 1/2 ounces reduced-sodium cream of mushroom soup
  • fresh fresh curly-leaf parsley, chopped (to garnish)
  • cooked rice

Instructions
 

  • lay out the chicken breast on a cutting board, trim any excess fat from the breasts. You can also cube the chiken if you prefer.
  • Mix all seasoning ingredients in a small bowl.
  • Using the seasoning mix season each side of the chicken breasts.
  • Heat a 10 inch skillet over medium heat then add the butter and melt. Once the butter is just melted add the chicken and brown on all sides. remove from pan and place in 9x13 inch casserole dish. Do not drain or use kitchen paper to remove fat. In the pan reserve the butter and place the diced vegetables and water chestnuts. Sweat the veggies until soft but not brown or burnt. Deglaze the pan with wine or juice whichever you decided to use then add the soup and stir to mix. heat just a bit to thin out the sauce a little bit and then pour directly over the chicken breasts.
  • Cover with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven set at 365°F
  • Bake about twenty minutes then remove the foil and bake five minutes longer. Remove from oven let stand ten minutes and serve over warm cooked rice and garnish with parsley. Serve with a side of grilled asparagus tips or steamed broccoli spears with a good rustic country French bread.

Add Your Own Notes

Nutrition

Serving: 397gCalories: 381.9kcalCarbohydrates: 17.5gProtein: 29.4gFat: 14.4gSaturated Fat: 8.1gCholesterol: 101.2mgSodium: 2196.5mgFiber: 2.5gSugar: 5.8g
Keyword < 60 Mins, European, Meat
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