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Rustic French Chicken Braised: 3 Keys to Perfection Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 73 reviews

This Rustic French Chicken Braised recipe showcases tender, flavorful chicken thighs cooked slowly in a rich wine sauce with mushrooms, bacon, shallots, and fresh thyme. Perfectly caramelized vegetables and a luscious sauce make this dish a heartwarming comfort meal, ideal with mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken and Seasoning

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Meats

  • 6 slices thick-cut bacon, chopped

Vegetables

  • 1 pound mushrooms, halved
  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 4 shallots, halved

Binding and Flavor Enhancers

  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Liquids

  • 3 cups Burgundy or Pinot Noir wine
  • 2 cups chicken broth

Herbs

  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for braising the chicken in the final step.
  2. Season Chicken: Pat the chicken thighs dry with paper towels, then generously season them all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper to enhance flavor and promote browning.
  3. Cook Bacon: In a large Dutch oven set over medium heat, add the chopped bacon and cook until it’s crispy. Remove the bacon pieces and set them aside, leaving the flavorful bacon fat and drippings in the pot.
  4. Brown Chicken: Place the seasoned chicken thighs skin side down in the bacon fat and brown them on both sides, approximately 5 minutes per side, until the skin is golden and crisp. Remove the browned chicken and set aside.
  5. Sauté Vegetables: Add the halved mushrooms, chopped onion, and halved shallots to the pot with the bacon drippings. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are caramelized and softened, about 8–10 minutes, which develops natural sweetness and depth.
  6. Thicken Base: Stir in the flour and butter with the caramelized vegetables until everything is well coated and the mixture thickens slightly, creating a flavorful base for the sauce.
  7. Combine Ingredients: Return the browned chicken thighs and crispy bacon to the pot, nestling them into the vegetable mixture.
  8. Add Liquids and Herbs: Pour in the wine, add the fresh thyme sprigs, and then add enough chicken broth to just cover the chicken, which will create the braising liquid for slow cooking.
  9. Simmer and Braise in Oven: Bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop, then transfer the Dutch oven uncovered into the preheated oven. Cook for 30 minutes, basting the chicken occasionally with the sauce to keep it moist and flavorful.
  10. Reduce Sauce: Remove the pot from the oven and place it back on the stovetop. Simmer uncovered for 10–15 minutes to thicken the sauce to your desired consistency.
  11. Serve: Serve the braised chicken hot, accompanied by mashed potatoes, crusty French bread, or egg noodles to soak up the delicious wine-infused sauce.

Notes

  • This dish can be made a day ahead and gently reheated to allow the flavors to deepen even further.
  • Ensure the mushrooms, onions, and shallots are well caramelized for maximum natural sweetness and complex flavor.
  • Basting the chicken occasionally during the oven braise helps keep the meat moist and flavorful.

Keywords: riche wine braised chicken, French chicken recipe, braised chicken thighs, comfort food, rustic chicken dish

Find it online: https://mixitwitjoe.com/rustic-french-chicken-braised-3-keys-to-perfection-recipe/