Chicken Fricassee is a traditional French dish that combines tender chicken pieces with a rich and creamy sauce. This comforting stew is perfect for family dinners or special occasions. It’s easy to make and delivers warm, hearty flavors that everyone will love.

Why Make This Recipe

This recipe for Chicken Fricassee is not only delicious but also versatile and satisfying. The combination of chicken, mushrooms, onions, and a creamy sauce creates a meal that fills your kitchen with inviting aromas. It’s a classic comfort food that can be enjoyed with a variety of sides, making it a great choice for any day of the week.

How to Make Chicken Fricassee

Making Chicken Fricassee involves a few simple steps that result in a hearty stew. Here’s how you can prepare it at home:

Ingredients:

4 chicken drumsticks (~150g/5oz each)
4 chicken thighs, skin-on and bone-in (~250g/8oz each)
1 tsp salt (cooking/kosher salt)
1/2 tsp black pepper
4 tbsp / 60g unsalted butter
300g / 10oz white mushrooms (halved if small, or cut in 4 to 6 if large)
2 medium brown onions (sliced 0.6cm (1/2in) wide)
2 garlic cloves (finely minced)
1 bay leaf (fresh or dried)
3 thyme sprigs (or 1/2 tsp dried thyme)
3 tbsp flour (plain/all-purpose)
1/2 cup white wine (preferably chardonnay)
3 cups chicken stock (low sodium, preferably homemade!)
1/4 tsp salt (cooking/kosher salt)
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp parsley (chopped)
2/3 cup thickened/heavy cream

Directions:

Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Brown the Thighs: Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Turn and cook for another minute, then remove to a plate.
Brown the Drumsticks: Brown the drumsticks on all sides, about 2 minutes each side, and then remove from the skillet.
Sauté Mushrooms and Onions: Add mushrooms, onions, bay leaf, and thyme to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until the mushrooms are lightly golden.
Add Garlic and Flour: Stir in the minced garlic for 30 seconds, then add the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Add Wine and Chicken Stock: Pour in the white wine and chicken stock. Scrape the bottom of the pan to dissolve any browned bits into the sauce.
Return Chicken to Sauce: Place the chicken back into the sauce, skin side up.
Simmer Covered: Adjust to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
Uncover and Continue Cooking: Remove the lid and let simmer for another 20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
Make the Sauce Creamy: Take the chicken out, add the cream to the sauce, stir, and let simmer. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.
Serve: Return the chicken to the sauce, remove from heat, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve it over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

How to Serve Chicken Fricassee

Chicken Fricassee is best served hot. Traditionally, it pairs wonderfully with mashed potatoes or rice, but you can also serve it over pasta for a different twist. Make sure to ladle plenty of creamy sauce over the chicken and garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a touch of color.

How to Store Chicken Fricassee

To store Chicken Fricassee, allow it to cool completely, then place it in an airtight container. It can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For longer storage, it can be frozen in a suitable container for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Tips to Make Chicken Fricassee

Use fresh herbs for the best flavor.
Don’t rush the browning process; it develops flavor.
Taste the sauce frequently as it cooks to adjust seasoning to your preference.
Make it a day in advance; the flavors improve the next day!

Variation

You can customize Chicken Fricassee by adding different vegetables such as peas, carrots, or bell peppers. A splash of lemon juice can also brighten the dish.

FAQs

1. Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken, but make sure to adjust cooking times as boneless pieces will cook faster.

2. Is this dish gluten-free?
No, traditional Chicken Fricassee includes flour for thickening. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour substitute.

3. Can I make this in a slow cooker?
Yes, you can adapt this recipe for a slow cooker. Brown the chicken and sauté the vegetables first, then transfer everything to the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours.

Chicken Fricassee is a comforting, creamy stew that’s sure to become a favorite in your home! Enjoy this classic dish on any occasion to warm your heart and soul.

Chicken Fricassee

A classic French dish featuring tender chicken pieces in a rich and creamy sauce, perfect for family dinners or special occasions.

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Prep Time 20

Cook Time 40

Total Time 1

Course Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine French

Servings 6 servings

Calories 600 kcal

Ingredients

Chicken and Seasoning

4 pieces chicken drumsticks (~150g/5oz each) Use skin-on and bone-in for best flavor.
4 pieces chicken thighs, skin-on and bone-in (~250g/8oz each) Tender and juicy when cooked properly.
1 tsp salt (cooking/kosher salt) Adjust according to taste.
1/2 tsp black pepper Freshly ground pepper is ideal.

Sauce Ingredients

4 tbsp unsalted butter For browning the chicken.
300 g white mushrooms Halved if small, cut into 4 to 6 if large.
2 medium brown onions Sliced 0.6cm (1/2in) wide.
2 cloves garlic Finely minced.
1 leaf bay leaf Fresh or dried.
3 sprigs thyme Or 1/2 tsp dried thyme.
3 tbsp flour (plain/all-purpose) For thickening the sauce.
1/2 cup white wine Preferably chardonnay.
3 cups chicken stock Low sodium, preferably homemade.
1/4 tsp salt (cooking/kosher salt) For seasoning the sauce.
1/4 tsp black pepper To taste.
2 tbsp parsley Chopped for garnish.
2/3 cup thickened/heavy cream For making the sauce creamy.

Instructions

Preparation

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt and black pepper.

Browning Chicken

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken thighs skin side down and cook for 4-5 minutes until golden brown. Turn and cook for another minute, then remove to a plate.
Brown the drumsticks on all sides, about 2 minutes each side, then remove from the skillet.

Cooking Vegetables

Add mushrooms, onions, bay leaf, and thyme to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until the mushrooms are lightly golden.
Stir in the minced garlic for 30 seconds, then add the flour and cook for 1 minute.

Making the Sauce

Pour in the white wine and chicken stock, scraping the bottom of the pan to dissolve any browned bits into the sauce.
Place the chicken back into the sauce, skin side up.
Adjust to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
Uncover and let simmer for another 20 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked.
Remove the chicken, add the cream to the sauce, stir, and let simmer. Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed.

Serving

Return the chicken to the sauce, remove from heat, and sprinkle with parsley. Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta.

Notes

For best flavor, use fresh herbs. Don't rush the browning process as it develops flavor. Taste the sauce frequently as it cooks to adjust seasoning to your preference. Make it a day in advance for improved flavors. Can customize by adding different vegetables such as peas, carrots, or bell peppers. A splash of lemon juice can also enhance the dish.

Keyword Chicken Fricassee, chicken recipe, comfort food, Creamy Stew, French Cuisine