How long it takes: 1 hour, 20 minutes Equipment you’ll need: Oven-safe skillet, oven Servings: 6 Okay, you know I’m not Julia Child! I try to keep recipes simple and accessible to every cook (sorry, Julia, not trying to draw comparisons here). This chicken fricassee recipe will take a little time in the kitchen but it’s not difficult. You can do it!
Why This Chicken Fricassee Is Special
So much flavor: I love it because it’s so good! Tender chicken, gently cooked in a delicious creamy wine sauce, with carrots, mushrooms and sweet pearl onions, flavored with a splash of lemon and fresh dill. Yum! One pan: If I can make it a one pan or one bowl recipe, you can be assured, I will. And you can make chicken fricassee all in one pan. It turns out fantastically!
What you need
Make sure to scroll down to the recipe for the full ingredient list, including measurements! Chicken: I like to use a mix of thighs and drumsticks for this recipe. Bone-in chicken has the most flavor. Onions: Pearl onions are pretty and give this recipe a really classy vibe, but you can absolutely use regular chopped onions if you want. Vegetables: We keep it pretty simple with carrots and mushrooms. It’s all this recipe really needs! Seasonings: Fresh garlic, white wine, lemon juice, and dill make this sauce both flavorful and slightly unique. You’ll love this combination. If you don’t want to use wine, make sure to check out our “make it your own” section. Additional sauce ingredients: You’ll need butter and flour to make a roux, which will thicken the sauce. In addition to the wine, you’ll need chicken broth and heavy cream to round out the sauce.
How to Make It
Brown the chicken: Begin by sautéing chicken pieces in a large, oven proof skillet. I like to use skin on, bone-in chicken thighs and drumsticks. You don’t need to get a deep brown color, just a nice golden brown. Sauté the vegetables: Remove the chicken from the pan, and put the vegetables in. I use carrots, mushrooms, and pearl onions. When they are softened and browned, add the garlic and stir for one minute. Make the roux: Easy so far, right? Now we’ll make the roux. Add butter to the pan and melt it. Add the flour and keep stirring until the flour coats everything and smells kind of nutty. Prepare the sauce: Pour in chicken broth and white wine. Stir well, and then nestle the chicken pieces right into the vegetables and sauce. Finish cooking: Pop the whole pan into the oven to finish cooking the chicken. This is the braising part. Finish the sauce: When the chicken has finished cooking, remove the skillet from the oven (don’t forget to use a hot pad for that handle) and take the chicken out of the skillet. Over medium heat, simmer the sauce and vegetables until the sauce has thickened up a bit, then stir in 1/2 cup cream, a squeeze of lemon, and fresh dill. Voila! You’ve just made a classic French fricassee. Julia would be proud!
What to serve with Chicken Fricassee
Chicken fricassee is traditionally served with white rice (or brown rice, if you prefer), mashed potatoes, or buttered noodles. You’ll want to serve it with something that can soak up all that lovely sauce. Freshly baked warm crusty bread is great, too. I love this no-knead Dutch oven bread!
Make It Your Own
Dairy Free: Omit the cream and butter for a lighter or non-dairy version. Onion Options: Instead of pearl onions, substitute one cup chopped yellow onion. Chicken Options: Use bone in chicken breasts, or a cut up whole chicken. Or, if you prefer, remove the skin from the chicken. Or use boneless skinless chicken. Basically, any chicken you want. Keep in mind, cook time will vary depending on what type of chicken you use. Make it alcohol-free: Don’t like to use alcohol when cooking? Substitute the wine with an additional 1/2 cup chicken broth. Prefer pork? Smothered pork chops use pretty much the same cooking method as this chicken fricassee, and turn out so delicious!
Storage and Reheating Tips
Properly wrapped, leftover chicken fricassee should last 2-3 days in the fridge. Reheat gently in the microwave, or in a pan on the stove.
Love classic chicken dishes?
If you like chicken fricassee, you may want to try these classic recipes:
Instant Pot Chicken and Dumplings Chicken Cacciatore Chicken Tikka Masala Skillet Chicken Pot Pie Tarragon Chicken with Vegetables – another one pan dinner Chicken Marsala Pasta (all in one pan) or try Instant Pot Chicken Marsala Chicken Piccata Instant Pot Chicken Noodle Soup White Wine Chicken, with mushrooms, bacon, and leeks
