Description
Classic French Hunter’s Chicken, also known as Chicken Chasseur, is a rustic and flavorful French dish featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a rich sauce with tomatoes, mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. This one-pot wonder is comforting, versatile, and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in chicken thighs, skinless
- 4 bone-in chicken drumsticks, skinless
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 1 can (14 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
- 1 bay leaf
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken thighs and drumsticks to the pot. Brown them on all sides for about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- In the same pot, add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes, until translucent. Add the minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, cooking for an additional 5 minutes.
- Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pot to release any browned bits. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Stir in the chicken stock, diced tomatoes (with their juice), and tomato paste.
- Add the fresh thyme, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper.
- Place the browned chicken back into the pot, ensuring it is submerged in the sauce.
- Cover the pot and let it simmer on low heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
- Transfer the chicken to a serving platter, spoon the sauce over the top, and sprinkle with fresh parsley.
Notes
- You can enhance the flavor by adding a splash of brandy or cognac for an authentic French twist.
- Fresh thyme and parsley are recommended, but tarragon or rosemary can also be used.
- Allowing the dish to simmer longer will deepen the flavors, but monitor the chicken to prevent it from drying out.
- Consider adding bell peppers or carrots for more color and nutrition, or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a spicy kick.
- This dish can be made a day ahead, as the flavors meld beautifully overnight.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-60 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: One-Pot Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/4 of recipe)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: N/A
- Sodium: N/A
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: N/A
- Fiber: N/A
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: N/A