Delectable Smothered Chicken in Rich Wine Sauce Recipe
Greetings fellow food enthusiasts! I am thrilled to share with you a recipe for smothered chicken in a creamy white wine sauce that will satisfy all your taste buds. This dish is savory and indulgent, perfect for a romantic dinner or a family feast.
The recipe calls for boneless, skinless chicken breast halves seared till they are juicy and tender. The secret lies in the sauce, made with dry white wine and mushrooms, perfectly complementing the pan-fried chicken. The ingredients are easy to find, and the process is simple enough to make it one of your go-to recipes.
Trust me, once you try this smothered chicken in wine sauce recipe, it will be challenging to resist making it again and again. So gather your friends and family around your table and enjoy this mouth-watering dish together.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Oh, dear reader, let me convince you of the deliciousness of this smothered chicken in white wine sauce recipe! This exquisite meal is sure to delight and satisfy your taste buds beyond measure. The tender and juicy boneless skinless chicken breast halves are seared to perfection and then smothered in a creamy white wine mushroom sauce that is simply irresistible.
The creamy sauce is made with dry white wine, butter, mushrooms, celery, garlic, onions, and green peppers that create a symphony of flavors that dance in your mouth. Not only is it an incredible dish, it’s also a versatile one. You can serve it over rice or noodles or on top of mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience.
Perhaps the best reason for loving this recipe is that it’s simple to make! Even if you’re not an experienced chef, you can prepare this dish like a pro. With easy-to-find ingredients and straightforward instructions, anyone can create a perfect meal for their family and friends with minimal effort.
Additionally, this smothered chicken in white wine sauce recipe allows for substitutions and variations that suit your preferences. If you prefer red wine over white wine or want to use other herbs or spices not mentioned in the recipe, feel free to experiment and customize this dish to your liking.
In conclusion, I implore you to try this delicious smothered chicken in wine sauce recipe that not only satisfies your appetite but also delights your palate. It’s finger-licking good!
Ingredient List
Here’s what you’ll need to make Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- 4 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 cup onions, chopped
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
- Salt and black pepper to taste (about 1/4 teaspoon of each should suffice)
- 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
- 1/2 cup dry white wine for cooking
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons catsup
- For the wine sauce:
- 1 cup white wine (I recommend chardonnay)
- 1 can sliced mushrooms, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
These ingredients will yield a creamy white wine sauce that pairs perfectly with tender chicken breasts.
The Recipe How-To
Now that we have gone through the ingredients needed to make this delicious smothered chicken in wine sauce, let’s dive into how to make it.
1. Sear the Chicken
First, we need to prepare the chicken breast halves. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter in a skillet over medium heat. When melted and hot, add the chicken breasts and sear for 4-5 minutes on each side. Once seared perfectly, remove the chicken and set it aside.
2. Onion, Garlic, Mushroom Smash Up
In the same skillet, add onion, garlic cloves, and mushrooms as per the ingredient list. Cook for about 3-4 minutes or until onions soften and mushrooms turn tender.
3. Pour Dry White Wine Into The Skillet
Add dry white wine to the pan with a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir occasionally and let it cook until half of it has evaporated or for around 2-3 minutes.
4. Add Chicken Back And Simmer
Add chicken back to the pan and pour in white wine slowly along with butter on top of the chicken. Let it cook in reduced heat until the sauce thickens to attain perfect consistency.
5. Voila!
Your saucy smothered chicken in wine sauce is all done! Serve with a glass of chardonnay or any other preferred white wine from your wine stash for more flavor experience!
Substitutions and Variations
While this Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce recipe is already perfect as it is, there are still some substitutions and variations that you can make to suit your taste preferences, dietary needs or whatever ingredients you have on hand. Here are some ideas:
– Instead of using boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, you can use chicken thighs or the whole bone-in chicken. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly and make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F.
– For a creamier texture, substitute the dry white wine with a creamy white wine like Chardonnay. You can also add heavy cream or sour cream to the sauce at the end of cooking.
– If you don’t have white wine or cooking wine, you can use chicken broth or vegetable broth instead. It won’t have the same depth of flavor as wine but it’ll still work.
– You can switch up the vegetables to whatever you like or have on hand. You can use carrots, potatoes, peas, mushrooms or bell peppers instead of celery, onions and green pepper.
– To make it spicier, add cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes or hot sauce to the sauce.
– If you want to make it gluten-free, use gluten-free flour or cornstarch to thicken the sauce instead of all-purpose flour.
– If you’re not a fan of garlic, you can omit it from the recipe altogether or substitute it with garlic powder.
– For a sweeter twist, add a tablespoon or two of brown sugar to the sauce along with ketchup and Dijon mustard. It’ll give the dish a tangy-sweet flavor similar to barbeque sauce.
These are just some examples of how flexible this Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce recipe is. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make it your own!
Serving and Pairing
Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce is a dish that is perfect to serve for a special occasion or a romantic dinner at home. The creamy and flavorful white wine sauce pairs nicely with the tender and juicy chicken breast halves.
To complete the meal, serve it with a side of buttery mashed potatoes or fluffy rice pilaf. Roasted vegetables such as carrots, green beans, or asparagus also make for great accompaniments.
For the wine pairing, it’s always best to use the same white wine used in the recipe – this way, you can bring out the flavors already present in the dish even more. A chardonnay would be a good match, but if you want something less dry, go for a Riesling.
If you prefer red wine, a Pinot Noir is a good choice that will complement the chicken’s flavors nicely.
As for non-alcoholic options, consider pairing your smothered chicken with sparkling water or iced tea – these drinks will refresh your palate and balance out the richness of the dish.
Whether for entertaining your guests or for a cozy night in with your special someone, smothered chicken in wine sauce will not disappoint.
Make-Ahead, Storing and Reheating
If you’re planning a get-together, you can make this smothered chicken in wine sauce recipe ahead of time to make your day less hectic. You can prepare the recipe up until the point when you add the wine sauce to the chicken. Instead, allow it to cool and transfer it to an airtight container with a lid or cover tightly with foil. Store in the fridge for up to three days.
To reheat, transfer the chicken along with its creamy white wine sauce into an oven-safe dish and bake at 375°F for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through, stirring halfway through.
Alternatively, you can reheat using a stovetop. Place the smothered chicken with its wine sauce in a saucepan over medium heat. Add a splash of milk or cream to thin out the sauce if it has thickened too much from being chilled. Cook and stir frequently until the chicken is heated through.
If you have leftovers but don’t want to heat them again as they are, try turning them into something else. Use the leftover smothered chicken to top salads or sandwiches, or incorporate it into pastas, stews or soups for extra flavor.
Whichever method you choose, remember that reheating already cooked chicken needs to be done carefully and correctly to avoid dryness or spoilage. And while storing leftovers in the fridge can extend their shelf-life, it’s important not to leave them there for too long as they can go bad quickly if not consumed in time. Always use your best judgement and follow proper food safety practices when handling prepared foods.
Tips for Perfect Results
To achieve a perfectly seasoned and moist Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce, every component must be cooked beautifully. So, my friend, here are some tips to help you make this savory dish deliciously:
Firstly, I suggest searing the chicken to produce a golden brown exterior. Searing locks in the chicken’s juices, which results in a tender and juicy meat. When searing, create a checklist for yourself, including whether the pan is hot enough and whether you are flipping the chicken too early or too late. Being organized will help prevent scorching or undercooking the chicken.
Secondly, add onions, celery, garlic, and green pepper while making the sauce. The flavor of vegetables can enhance any dish’s flavor. Indeed, they contribute to Sauvignon Blanc’s unique acidic taste by adding nuances of bell pepper’s occasional sweet bitterness. Vegetables’ natural sugars caramelize in the sauté pan with butter and olive oil before adding white wine to create an amazing contrast between savory and sweet flavors.
Thirdly, use high-quality dry white wine. Chardonnay is well-known for its bright acidity and green apple or lemon flavors that pair well with poultry dishes like this one. This wine variety brings out Smothered Chicken’s delicate white meat texture while cutting through buttery sauces’ creaminess.
Lastly, a dash of brown sugar is essential to balance out the acidity from the wine sauce. Not only does it thicken the sauce, but it also adds depth to the flavor profile by creating caramelization in the Maillard reaction during sautéing.
By following these tips will turn your Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce into something people will request seconds for. Enjoy making it!
FAQ
Before we conclude, let’s tackle some frequently asked questions about this smothered chicken in wine sauce recipe.
What wine goes best with chicken in white sauce?
When it comes to pairing with this particular food, selecting a white wine is quite straightforward. Opting for options such as White Burgundy, Alsace pinot gris or a buttery New World chardonnay would be ideal.
What does cooking wine do to chicken?
When it comes to cooking meats, poultry, or seafood, wine can be a valuable ingredient due to its acidic properties and flavorful profile. Using a marinade made with wine can help to add moisture to the protein while also helping to tenderize the exterior.
What is the best wine for cooking chicken?
When it comes to cooking wine, sauvignon blanc and chardonnay are reliable choices. While there are slight differences in taste between the two, their unique characteristics tend to be muted when used in recipes. Sauvignon blanc adds a refreshing crispness, while chardonnay lends a richer flavor.
What is smothered chicken made of?
If you’re looking for a yummy dinner idea, try out this recipe for smothered chicken. You’ll get crispy chicken breasts that are smothered in a delectable gravy with crunchy strips of bacon. The dish is so amazing, it wouldn’t be out of place in a high-end restaurant! To go with it, I’d suggest creamy mashed potatoes, warm biscuits, and some oven-roasted green beans.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, if you are looking for an easy-to-make and delicious chicken recipe, you should definitely try this smothered chicken in wine sauce recipe. The flavorful and creamy white wine sauce complements the tender and juicy chicken perfectly, making this dish a crowd-pleaser.
Besides its mouth-watering taste, another great thing about this dish is its versatility in serving and pairing. You can serve it with rice, potatoes, or even pasta to make a satisfying meal. Moreover, you can pair it with a variety of wines depending on your preference, whether it’s a dry white wine like chardonnay or a red wine like pinot noir.
Lastly, this recipe is also flexible in terms of substitutions and variations. You can substitute butter with margarine or use chicken thighs instead of breasts. You can even add some vegetables such as mushrooms, celery, or green peppers to the dish to make it more nutritious.
Overall, this smothered chicken in wine sauce recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves good food. With its simple yet delicious flavor and easy-to-follow instructions, you will be able to make a restaurant-quality dish at home. So why not give it a try tonight and impress your family or guests with your cooking skills?
Smothered Chicken in Wine Sauce Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
- salt and pepper
- 1 green pepper, sliced
- 2 onions, sliced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 stalk celery, diagonally sliced
- 2 tablespoons butter or 2 tablespoons margarine
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 1/2 cup catsup
- 1/2 cup apple juice
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. Arrange chicken in a 9-inch baking dish.
- Sauté pepper, onions, garlic, and celery in butter until slightly tender. Spoon over chicken pieces.
- In same pan you sautéed vegetables, mix wine, catsup, juice, and brown sugar. Heat and stir until brown sugar melts.
- Pour sauce over chicken and vegetables, cover and bake for 1 hour.