Classic Chicken Chasseur

๐Ÿ“ The Story Behind the Recipe

Thereโ€™s something enchanting about French cuisine that makes every meal feel elegant yet comforting๐Ÿ’›. I first tried Classic Chicken Chasseur during a small dinner party with friends. The aroma of sautรฉed chicken mingled with mushrooms, tomatoes, and wine was irresistible. Each bite had that rich, comforting depth โ€” rustic yet sophisticated, simple yet flavorful.

From that day, I was inspired to recreate this dish at home. My kitchen became filled with the warm scent of garlic, fresh herbs, and tender chicken simmering in a rich, wine-infused sauce ๐Ÿ„๐Ÿ…. Itโ€™s become a go-to for family dinners, cozy weekend lunches, and even special occasions where I want something classic yet comforting.


๐Ÿ’ซ What Makes This Recipe Special

  • ๐Ÿ— Tender, pan-seared chicken: Golden brown and juicy every time.
  • ๐Ÿ„ Mushroom & tomato richness: Adds earthiness and freshness to the sauce.
  • ๐Ÿท Wine-infused depth: A splash of white wine elevates flavors without overpowering.
  • ๐ŸŒฟ Herbaceous aroma: Thyme, parsley, and bay leaves add a rustic French touch.
  • ๐Ÿฅ” Versatile serving: Pairs perfectly with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or crusty bread.

๐Ÿ›’ Ingredients โ€“ Fresh, Simple & Flavorful

๐Ÿ— For the Chicken

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or breasts if preferred) ๐Ÿ—
  • 1 tsp salt ๐Ÿง‚
  • ยฝ tsp black pepper ๐Ÿง‚
  • 2 tbsp olive oil ๐Ÿซ’

๐Ÿฅฃ For the Chasseur Sauce

  • 2 tbsp butter ๐Ÿงˆ
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped ๐Ÿง…
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced ๐Ÿง„
  • 1 cup mushrooms, sliced ๐Ÿ„
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved ๐Ÿ…
  • ยฝ cup dry white wine ๐Ÿท
  • 1 cup chicken broth ๐Ÿ—
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves ๐ŸŒฟ
  • 1 bay leaf ๐ŸŒฟ
  • 2 tbsp chopped parsley ๐ŸŒฟ
  • Salt & pepper to taste ๐Ÿง‚

๐Ÿฅ— Optional Serving Suggestions

  • Mashed potatoes ๐Ÿฅ”
  • Egg noodles ๐Ÿ
  • Steamed rice ๐Ÿš
  • Crusty French bread ๐Ÿฅ–

๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿณ Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Step 1๏ธโƒฃ: Season and Sear the Chicken

Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper ๐Ÿง‚. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken, skin-side down first, until golden brown (5โ€“6 minutes per side) ๐Ÿ—. Remove from skillet and set aside.

Tip: Searing the skin first locks in juices and adds a beautiful golden crust.

Step 2๏ธโƒฃ: Sautรฉ Aromatics and Mushrooms

In the same skillet, melt butter ๐Ÿงˆ. Add onions and garlic, sautรฉ for 2โ€“3 minutes until softened. Add mushrooms and cook until lightly browned ๐Ÿ„๐Ÿง….

Flavor tip: Donโ€™t rush the mushrooms โ€” browning adds deep, earthy flavor.

Step 3๏ธโƒฃ: Deglaze and Build the Sauce

Pour in white wine ๐Ÿท to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits from the bottom. Add cherry tomatoes, chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf ๐ŸŒฟ. Stir to combine and bring to a gentle simmer.

Step 4๏ธโƒฃ: Simmer the Chicken

Return chicken to the skillet, nestling into the sauce. Cover and simmer on low for 25โ€“30 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and tender ๐Ÿ—.

Pro tip: Taste the sauce halfway through and adjust salt or pepper.

Step 5๏ธโƒฃ: Finish with Fresh Herbs

Remove bay leaf. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the dish for freshness and color ๐ŸŒฟ. Serve hot over your favorite base โ€” mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or with crusty bread to soak up the sauce.


๐Ÿฝ๏ธ Serving Suggestions

  • ๐Ÿฅ” Classic French pairing: Mashed potatoes or buttery egg noodles to absorb the sauce.
  • ๐Ÿš Rice bowl: Steamed rice works perfectly for a simple weeknight meal.
  • ๐Ÿฅ– Bread option: Crusty French bread to mop up the flavorful sauce.
  • ๐Ÿฅ— Side salad: Light green salad with lemon vinaigrette balances richness.
  • ๐ŸŒฟ Herb garnish: Fresh thyme or parsley adds aroma and color.

๐ŸŒˆ Customization & Variations

  • ๐ŸŒถ๏ธ Spicy twist: Add crushed red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
  • ๐Ÿ„ Extra veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, or peas can be added to the sauce.
  • ๐Ÿฅ› Creamy variation: Stir in a splash of cream for a richer sauce.
  • ๐Ÿ— Protein swap: Chicken breasts or boneless thighs for leaner meat.
  • ๐Ÿ‹ Citrus touch: A squeeze of lemon at the end brightens flavors.

๐ŸงŠ Storing & Reheating

  • Store: In an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days โ„๏ธ.
  • Reheat: Warm gently on stovetop or microwave, stirring occasionally.
  • Avoid overcooking: Gentle reheating preserves tender chicken and sauce consistency.
  • Freezing: Freeze sauce separately from chicken for best texture; thaw and warm slowly.

๐Ÿ“Š Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving โ€“ Approx.)

  • Calories: 420 kcal ๐Ÿ”ฅ
  • Protein: 35g ๐Ÿ’ช
  • Carbs: 12g ๐ŸŒพ
  • Fat: 25g ๐Ÿงˆ
  • Sugar: 4g ๐Ÿฏ
  • Fiber: 2g ๐ŸŒฟ
  • Sodium: 680mg ๐Ÿง‚

A balanced meal with rich protein, moderate carbs, and comforting flavors โ€” perfect for dinner or weekend indulgence ๐ŸŒŸ.


๐Ÿ’ฌ Reader Q&A

1๏ธโƒฃ Can I use boneless chicken?
Yes, boneless chicken breasts or thighs work perfectly ๐Ÿ—.

2๏ธโƒฃ Can I make this without wine?
Use extra chicken broth or apple juice for sweetness ๐ŸทโŒ.

3๏ธโƒฃ Can I add other vegetables?
Bell peppers, zucchini, or peas make it colorful and nutritious ๐Ÿฅ•๐ŸŒฟ.

4๏ธโƒฃ Can I make it ahead?
Yes, cook the sauce and chicken separately; combine when ready to serve ๐Ÿฅก.

5๏ธโƒฃ Can I use dried herbs?
Yes, substitute ยฝ tsp dried thyme and 1 bay leaf ๐ŸŒฟ.

6๏ธโƒฃ Can I thicken the sauce?
Mix 1 tsp cornstarch with cold water and stir into sauce; simmer until thickened ๐ŸŒพ.

7๏ธโƒฃ Can I serve over pasta?
Yes! Egg noodles or fettuccine work beautifully ๐Ÿ.

8๏ธโƒฃ Can I make it creamy?
Add ยผ cup cream or crรจme fraรฎche at the end ๐Ÿฅ›.

9๏ธโƒฃ Can I make it in a slow cooker?
Yes, sear chicken first, then add sauce ingredients and cook on low for 4โ€“6 hours โฑ๏ธ.

๐Ÿ”Ÿ How do I get crispy skin?
Sear skin side first in a hot pan; finish in oven if desired ๐Ÿ—.


๐ŸŒธ Final Thoughts

Classic Chicken Chasseur is the perfect balance of rustic French comfort and homey warmth๐Ÿ’›. Tender chicken in a rich mushroom-tomato sauce with a hint of wine makes every bite sophisticated yet satisfying.

Serve it with mashed potatoes, rice, pasta, or crusty bread for a meal that impresses and comforts simultaneously. This dish is elegance made simple โ€” a timeless classic youโ€™ll return to again and again ๐Ÿฅฐ.


๐Ÿด Tried This Recipe?

If you made this Classic Chicken Chasseur, share it on Pinterest ๐Ÿ“Œ and tag mamacooksdinner! Iโ€™d love to see your French-inspired, comforting creation ๐Ÿ—๐Ÿ„๐Ÿ’›.

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