chicken provencal recipes

Amanda Recipes January 31, 2025January 31, 2025

Chicken Provencal Recipes

If you’re looking to elevate your dinner game, Chicken Provencal is a fantastic choice. This dish combines tender chicken with fresh herbs, cherry tomatoes, and olives, making it both flavorful and satisfying. The process involves marinating the chicken for maximum taste, then browning and simmering it to perfection. With a few simple steps, you can create a meal that impresses. Let’s explore the history and recipe details that make this dish so special.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

When you try Chicken Provencal, you’ll discover a dish that’s not only delicious but also incredibly versatile. With flavorful ingredients like cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic, and aromatic herbs, this meal offers a rich taste that appeals to many. It’s easy to prepare, requiring simple steps like seasoning, browning, and baking chicken. Plus, you can have it on the table in about 50 minutes! The dish features deep flavors with tender chicken, making it even more satisfying.

Whether you choose bone-in, skin-on thighs or boneless options, this recipe adapts to your preferences. It’s perfect for family dinners or dinner parties, making it a great choice for various occasions. The combination of savory garlic, sweet tomatoes, and fragrant herbs guarantees everyone will enjoy this nutritious, one-pot meal.

History

Chicken Provençal has its roots in the Provence region of southeastern France, a place renowned for its vibrant Mediterranean cuisine. This dish reflects the region’s culinary traditions, featuring local ingredients like olives, garlic, tomatoes, and olive oil. You’ll notice the influence of neighboring Italian and Spanish dishes, especially in the use of herbs and flavors. Herbes de Provence, a key ingredient mix of thyme, rosemary, oregano, and marjoram, plays a significant role in defining its taste. Originally prepared using traditional cooking methods, Chicken Provençal has evolved over time, with modern variations introducing different wines and ingredients. Today, it’s celebrated both in France and worldwide, connecting people to Provence’s rich cultural heritage and delicious flavors. This all in one pot recipe has gained popularity for being kid-friendly and easy to prepare.

Recipe

Ingredients:
– Boneless chicken breasts or bone-in chicken thighs
– Fresh thyme
– Fresh rosemary
– Fresh parsley
– Shallots
– Fennel seeds
– White wine
– Olive oil
– Green olives
– Cherry tomatoes
– Chicken stock
– Garlic
– Butter
– Lemon zest
– Salt and pepper

Cooking Instructions:

Start by marinating the chicken. In a bowl, combine chopped shallots, fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary, and parsley), fennel seeds, white wine, and half of the olive oil. Add the chicken pieces and coat well. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours.
Preheat your oven to 200C/400F. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Remove the chicken from the marinade, scraping off excess marinade, and brown the chicken in the skillet until golden but not cooked through. This should take about 5-7 minutes per side.
Once the chicken is browned, set it aside. In the same skillet, add a little more olive oil if needed, and sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until soft.
Then, pour in the remaining marinade and add the cherry tomatoes and green olives. Cook for a few minutes until the tomatoes start to soften.
Return the browned chicken to the skillet and add chicken stock to cover the chicken halfway. Bring the mixture to a simmer and then cover the skillet.
Transfer to the preheated oven and roast for 20-30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of at least 165°F.
After cooking, remove the skillet from the oven and let the dish rest for 15 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle fresh parsley and lemon zest over the top for a bright finish. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Extra Tips:

When cooking Chicken Provencal, it’s important to verify the chicken is properly marinated to maximize flavor. Additionally, grilling tomatoes before adding them to the dish can enhance the overall taste profile.

Don’t rush the browning process, as this step adds depth to the dish. If you prefer a thicker sauce, you can reduce the wine and stock mixture on the stovetop after removing the chicken.

Additionally, feel free to customize the vegetables by adding bell peppers or zucchini for extra color and nutrients.

Enjoy your delicious Chicken Provencal with crusty bread or over a bed of rice to soak up the flavorful sauce!

Final Thoughts

As you wrap up your culinary adventure with Chicken Provencal, it’s important to reflect on the dish’s rich flavors and the techniques used to create it. This recipe showcases ingredients like chicken thighs, fresh herbs, and bright citrus, all of which contribute to its vibrant taste. Fried chicken preparations emphasize the importance of a crispy crust, which can be achieved through a careful dredging process similar to the one used in Chicken Provencal. By using methods such as braising and deglazing, you guarantee that each bite is tender and packed with flavor. The dish not only offers high protein and healthy fats but also provides antioxidants from the olive oil and vegetables.

FAQ

What should you know about making Chicken Provencal? First, you can use chicken breasts, thighs, or even a whole jointed chicken, depending on your preference.

A mix of shallots, garlic, and fresh herbs like thyme and rosemary is essential for flavor. Marinate the chicken for 2 to 3 hours in a blend of herbs and white wine for the best results. The Provençal cuisine emphasizes fresh farm-to-table ingredients, which can elevate the overall flavor of your dish.

When cooking, brown the chicken in a single pot, then add your ingredients, using both stovetop and oven methods to guarantee tenderness. Remember to scrape the brown bits from the pan to enhance the sauce.

Finally, always check that the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.