Chicken Fricassee
is a comforting and flavorful dish that involves cooking chicken pieces in a creamy white sauce with vegetables. It's a classic French preparation, but variations of this dish can be found in many other cuisines as well. Here's a simple Chicken Fricassee recipe:
Ingredients:
- - 1 whole chicken, cut into pieces (or use chicken thighs and drumsticks)
- - 2 tablespoons butter
- - 2 tablespoons olive oil
- - 1 onion, finely chopped
- - 2 cloves garlic, minced
- - 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
- - 1 celery stalk, sliced
- - 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- - 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- - 2 cups chicken broth
- - 1 cup white wine (optional)
- - 1 cup heavy cream
- - 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- - 2 bay leaves
- - Salt and pepper to taste
- - Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot, melt the butter with the olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken pieces on all sides until they have a golden color. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
2. In the same pot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Sauté until they become translucent and fragrant.
3. Add the sliced carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pot. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables start to soften.
4. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir well to coat them. Cook for another minute to cook out the raw flour taste.
5. Pour in the chicken broth and white wine (if using), stirring constantly to avoid lumps. Add the fresh thyme sprigs and bay leaves to the pot.
6. Return the browned chicken pieces to the pot, ensuring they are submerged in the sauce. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
7. Once the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the pot and place it on a serving dish.
8. Stir in the heavy cream into the sauce, and let it simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes to thicken.
9. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
10. To serve, pour the creamy sauce with vegetables over the chicken pieces. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of color and freshness.
11. Chicken Fricassee is traditionally served with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce. Enjoy your comforting and hearty Chicken Fricassee!
Feel free to add other herbs and spices to customize the flavors to your liking. Chicken Fricassee is a delightful dish that's perfect for a cozy family dinner or when you want to impress your guests with a classic French-inspired meal.
