When I embarked on my latest book, Simply Raymond: Recipes from Home, I had no idea of the path that lay ahead. Originally I had set out to write a book that was a tribute to my mum and the food that she prepared, cooked and served chez Blanc. Show
I wasn’t far into the project when, suddenly, Britain went into lockdown. At home, and away from a professional kitchen, I craved and busily cooked the dishes that whizzed me back to my childhood in Franche-Comté: tartiflette; onion and bacon tart; Maman Blanc’s soups, so easy and rustled up in flash. Sadly, my mother passed away shortly before the book was completed. Yet many of the recipes seem to reunite me with her. One taste and I smile at the memories. For this wholesome one-pot chicken dish, you will see that the white wine used in the recipe is first boiled. This isn’t essential, although before cooking with wine – red or white – I boil it for 10-20 seconds, removing most of the alcohol and intensifying the flavours. When cooking fish, I often use Gewurztraminer as it holds its character and aromas. For this recipe, any dry white wine can be used. However, the Savagnin grape also retains its flavour when cooked, so a white from the Jura, my region of France, is ideal here. If cooking with reds, I avoid Pinot Noir. It is too elegant for the heat of a pan. Instead I reach for something inexpensive, big, spicy, rich and strong in tannins, such as a red from Languedoc, Rhône or Cahors; or, from further afield, a Syrah. Bon appétit! Chicken braised with white wine & mustard recipeThis technique of braising or one-pot cooking can be adapted to suit any meat, and has a wonderful sauce that is herby and gently acidic. Any of your favourite herbs and vegetables can be added to the dish. In this one, olives and wild mushrooms are a lovely addition. I use the legs because they are the best cut for braising (the breast will become dry during cooking). Serves 4-6 Preparation time 10 mins Cooking time 1 hour Ingredients
1. Preheat the oven to 150°C/fan 130°C/ gas mark 2. 2.To prepare: season the chicken flesh (not the skin). Chop the onion. Finely slice the peeled garlic. Coarsely chop the tomatoes. 3. In a small saucepan, bring the white wine to the boil and let it boil for 10 seconds before removing from the heat. Reserve. 4. In a large heavy-based casserole dish over a medium heat, heat the oil then sear and lightly colour the chicken pieces for 7-8 minutes. Transfer them to a plate. 5. Add the onion and garlic to the casserole and sweeten them over the heat for 4-5 minutes but do not brown them. 6. Spoon out some of the fat, pour in the vinegar – it might make you cough, but when that aroma has faded, that’s just right, and reduce it to a syrup. 7. Add the salt and peppercorns and the boiled white wine. Whisk in the mustard, add the chopped tomatoes, whole tarragon sprig and sage leaves. Pour in the water and return the chicken to the pan. 8. Bring to the boil, cover with a lid (or foil) and transfer to the oven to cook for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Test the chicken is cooked by taking out a leg and cutting down to the bone to check it’s not pink in the centre. Taste and adjust the seasoning. 9. Garnish with the chopped parsley or chives and serve at the table from the pot. Chicken with white wine and mustard: Wines to matchApart from cooking with the wines of the Jura, I often serve them too. The whites are produced predominantly with two grapes – Savagnin and Chardonnay – and are perfectly balanced, floral, crisp and acidic. True, I am biased as they are the wines of my region in eastern France. But try them, please: you will not be disappointed. You may also wish to serve a light red wine, such as Fleurie, from the hilltop town of the same name in the Beaujolais region. Produced from the Gamay grape, it is a light and relatively delicate wine, though with a bit of resistance. Fleurie will not overpower the flavours on this plate. If you prefer Pinot Noir, open a Santenay or Bourgogne Rouge. Raymond Blanc OBE is chef-patron of two-star Michelin restaurant-hotel Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, which he established in Oxfordshire in the 1980s, and head of the Brasserie Blanc group. This simple recipe for Chicken in White Wine Sauce has tender pan-fried chicken cutlets nestled in a sauce that is light and flavorful all at once. No need for a heavy cream sauce here! Best of all, this is elevated yet crowd-pleasing and easy to make in 25 minutes. A Lighter White Wine Sauce for ChickenThis easy chicken skillet with a light white wine sauce is one of my favorite dinner options! It’s easy to make, requires pretty ordinary ingredients, and tastes incredible. It’s as good on any old Tuesday night as it is for company you want to impress. I especially love that this recipe is:
Serve this chicken with roasted garlic green beans, asparagus, or broccolini. Crusty bread or pasta is not optional, because you will want to soak up every last drop of the sauce! Ingredients & SubstitutionsHere are a few notes and shopping tips about the ingredients you’ll need to make this, as well as possible substitutions. Find full amounts in the print-friendly recipe card below.
What white wine is good for cooking chicken?Dry white wines are typically recommended for cooking. Our favorites are sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio. We also sometimes like an un-oaked chardonnay. Dry whites tend to be more crisp and less full-bodied than sweet white wines, and complement rather than compete with the other ingredients in savory sauces. What is the difference between white wine and white cooking wine?Products labeled “white cooking wine” tend to be of lower quality than white wines you would drink. They often have a higher percentage of alcohol by volume, as well. For both of these reasons, avoid them if you can and simply use a standard white wine! How To Make Chicken in White Wine SauceThis is a dish that comes together so quickly and simply, you’ll be amazed that the final result still feels so elegant. You will find full instructions with exact ingredients and times in the print-friendly recipe card below.
Variations and Optional Add-ins
Serving SuggestionsWhite wine chicken is delicious served with a light salad or your favorite mix of roasted or steamed vegetables. We love asparagus, green beans, broccoli, or broccolini. We also find it necessary to enjoy a carb-y side, all the better to enjoy extra sauce. Crusty Italian or French bread, lemon butter orzo, roasted red potatoes, or creamy mashed potatoes all work well. Recipe FAQs & Expert TipsCan you cook with white wine for kids?This is a personal judgment call. Some alcohol will cook out of the sauce very quickly, but not all. Consider the age of your children, whether they have any unique health concerns, and how much chicken vs. sauce they are likely to consume. For the record, yes I do feed this chicken to my children. They both like it! Can you make this dish without wine?Yes: simply replace the white wine in the sauce with additional chicken broth. How do you know when chicken breasts are done cooking?Chicken is safe and ready to eat when it is white all the way through and has , per official USDA guidelines. A simple instant-read meat thermometer makes it easy to watch for that benchmark and pull the chicken off right away. No guesswork and no over-cooked, dry chicken! How do I get a nice golden crust on my chicken breasts?To encourage your chicken to develop a nice golden crust, be certain that the pan and cooking oil is already hot when you place the chicken breasts in the skillet. Also be sure to season your chicken breasts thoroughly and evenly on both sides, and don’t skip the dredge through flour: this helps them to sear quickly on the bottom and develop that appetizing golden crust. Storage & Reheating
Related RecipesIf you need more easy chicken dinner ideas, try my oregano chicken, Greek-marinated chicken, lemon thyme chicken skillet, or lemon chicken thighs next. Creamy lemon chicken and lemon chicken pasta are also winners each and every time! If you try this White Wine Chicken recipe, don’t forget to rate it and leave a comment below. I love hearing how recipes turn out in your kitchen, and it helps other readers, too. You can also FOLLOW me on PINTEREST, INSTAGRAM, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER for more great recipes and ideas! Chicken in White Wine SaucePrep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 4 Tender pan-fried chicken cutlets nestled in a sauce that is light and flavorful all at once. No need for a heavy cream sauce here!
Calories: 221 kcal, Carbohydrates: 6 g, Protein: 13 g, Fat: 14 g, Saturated Fat: 6 g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5 g, Trans Fat: 0.4 g, Cholesterol: 59 mg, Sodium: 144 mg, Potassium: 268 mg, Fiber: 0.2 g, Sugar: 0.4 g, Vitamin A: 281 IU, Vitamin C: 1 mg, Calcium: 12 mg, Iron: 1 mg Leave a review below, then snap a quick picture and tag @nourishandfete on Instagram so I can see it! |