Chicken Chasseur is a classic French dish where chicken legs are slowly cooked in a rich, flavorful sauce made with red wine, thyme, and mushrooms. The sauce gradually sweetens and thickens as it reduces, making for a comforting and hearty dish. Often served with potatoes or crusty bread, this dish is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of French elegance in their meal.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients

• For the chicken:

  • 4 whole chicken legs (skin-on recommended)

  • 1 large carrot, chopped

  • 200g mushrooms, sliced

  • 1 onion, chopped

  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

  • 200ml red wine

  • 200ml chicken or beef stock

  • 1 tsp thyme (fresh or dried)

  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for frying)

  • 1 tsp cornflour (optional, to thicken the sauce)

  • Salt and pepper to taste

• For serving:

  • Boiled potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the sauce

Directions

1. Prepare the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Season the chicken legs with salt and pepper. Brown the chicken on all sides until the skin is crispy. Remove the chicken and set aside.

2. Cook the Vegetables: In the same pan, add the chopped onion, garlic, and carrot. Sauté for 5 minutes until softened. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

3. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in the red wine and scrape up any bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the chicken stock, thyme, and bring to a simmer. Place the chicken back into the pan, skin-side up. Cover and let it cook for 1 hour on low heat, until the chicken is cooked through and tender.

4. Thicken the Sauce (optional): If the sauce hasn’t reduced enough, mix 1 tsp of cornflour with a little water and stir it into the sauce. Simmer for a few more minutes until thickened to your liking.

5. Finish the Dish: Check seasoning and adjust with more salt and pepper if needed.

6. Serve: Serve the chicken with potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.

Nutritional Value (per serving)

• Calories: 400-450 kcal

• Total Fat: 22g

  • Saturated Fat: 5g

• Cholesterol: 100mg

• Sodium: 450mg

• Total Carbohydrates: 10g

  • Dietary Fiber: 2g

  • Sugars: 5g

• Protein: 40g

• Vitamin A: 8% of the Daily Value

• Vitamin C: 15% of the Daily Value

• Calcium: 4% of the Daily Value

• Iron: 15% of the Daily Value

This breakdown includes the chicken, vegetables, and the wine-based sauce. The dish provides a good amount of protein and healthy fats from the chicken and olive oil, while the mushrooms and carrots add fiber and vitamins.

The Chicken: A Flavorful Base

The star of Chicken Chasseur is undoubtedly the chicken legs, which are cooked slowly to ensure they remain tender and juicy. Using skin-on chicken legs is recommended because the skin crisps up during the browning process, adding a layer of texture and flavor to the dish. When the chicken is browned in olive oil, the skin becomes golden and crispy, adding depth to the flavor of the sauce. This process also helps render some of the fat, which will enrich the sauce as it simmers.

Browning the chicken legs in the pan also creates fond (the browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan), which is an essential part of the dish’s depth of flavor. These bits are scraped up when the wine is added, ensuring that the sauce absorbs every bit of flavor from the chicken, vegetables, and the pan.

The Vegetables: Building Layers of Flavor

The vegetables in Chicken Chasseur contribute not only to the flavor of the sauce but also to its texture and nutritional value. The sautéed onion, garlic, and carrot form the aromatic base for the sauce. Sautéing these vegetables in the same pan used to brown the chicken ensures that they soak up any remaining flavors, creating a cohesive, deep flavor profile for the dish.

Mushrooms are a key ingredient in this dish, bringing a meaty, umami-rich flavor that complements the chicken and enhances the sauce. When added to the pan, the mushrooms soften and release their moisture, adding complexity to the sauce. Their earthy flavor balances the richness of the wine and stock, creating a harmonious blend of savory tastes that enriches every bite.

Red Wine: The Heart of the Sauce

Red wine is an essential component of the sauce in Chicken Chasseur. It adds a deep, savory richness and a touch of acidity, which helps cut through the richness of the chicken and the olive oil. The wine’s flavor slowly reduces as it simmers, concentrating its sweetness and deepening the overall taste of the sauce.

The wine also acts as a deglazer, helping to lift the fond off the bottom of the pan, infusing the sauce with all the caramelized flavors from the chicken and vegetables. As the wine reduces, it thickens slightly, allowing the sauce to coat the chicken and vegetables beautifully. A dry red wine is ideal for this dish, as it provides the right balance of acidity and sweetness without being overpowering.

Simmering the Chicken: Slow and Steady

After the vegetables and wine are combined, the chicken legs are added back into the pan. The chicken is placed skin-side up, ensuring that the skin remains crisp as it cooks. The sauce is then brought to a simmer, and the chicken is left to cook gently for about 1 hour on low heat. This slow simmering process allows the chicken to absorb the flavors of the sauce, while the sauce thickens and becomes rich and velvety.

The key to achieving tender chicken is to cook it low and slow, allowing the meat to become fall-off-the-bone tender while retaining its flavor and juiciness. This cooking method also ensures that the sauce becomes deeply infused with the natural flavors from the chicken, vegetables, and red wine.

Thickening the Sauce (Optional)

As the sauce simmers, it gradually thickens and reduces, but if you prefer a thicker consistency, you can use a small amount of cornflour (cornstarch) to help thicken the sauce further. Mixing the cornflour with a little water to create a slurry and then adding it to the sauce allows it to thicken quickly without altering the flavor of the dish. This step is optional but useful if you want a richer, more substantial sauce that will cling to the chicken and vegetables.

Serving Chicken Chasseur

Chicken Chasseur is typically served with simple, hearty accompaniments that allow the rich sauce to shine. Boiled potatoes are a popular choice, as their starchy texture soaks up the sauce beautifully, making each bite even more satisfying. Alternatively, crusty bread is another great option, allowing you to mop up the flavorful sauce with every bite. The combination of tender chicken, savory sauce, and a starchy side creates a comforting and complete meal that will satisfy even the heartiest appetites.

For a slightly lighter option, you could serve Chicken Chasseur with steamed vegetables or a side salad to add freshness and balance to the richness of the dish.

Nutritional Benefits

Chicken Chasseur is a well-balanced dish, offering a good source of protein from the chicken and essential vitamins from the vegetables. The chicken legs provide a rich source of protein and healthy fats, while the mushrooms, carrots, and onions contribute fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The red wine and stock add flavor without significantly altering the nutritional profile of the dish.

Each serving of Chicken Chasseur contains approximately 400-450 calories, making it a satisfying main dish that won’t overwhelm your calorie intake. The dish is also relatively low in carbohydrates (about 10g per serving), making it a good choice for those looking for a protein-rich meal. The mushrooms, carrots, and onions provide a moderate amount of fiber, helping to support digestion and maintain a feeling of fullness.

Conclusion

Chicken Chasseur is a hearty, flavorful French dish that perfectly blends the richness of chicken, the earthiness of mushrooms, and the complexity of a red wine sauce. The slow-cooked chicken absorbs all the savory flavors of the sauce, making each bite a comforting experience. Whether you enjoy it with boiled potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the sauce, Chicken Chasseur is a meal that brings the flavors of French country cooking to your table. The combination of tender chicken, rich sauce, and aromatic vegetables makes it a satisfying and elegant dish for any occasion, whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a special celebration.