Rustic French Chicken with Potatoes and Shallots
Experience the heartwarming essence of classic French cuisine with this Rustic French Chicken with Potatoes and Shallots. Perfectly seasoned and succulent chicken quarters are paired with tender, thin-skinned potatoes and sweet shallots, all simmered together in a rich and flavorful sauce. The addition of crispy bacon and earthy mushrooms elevates the dish, making it a delightful centerpiece for any gathering. Easily adaptable for a dinner party by substituting the chicken with four poussins, allowing each guest to indulge in their own bird. This dish brings the comfort of home-cooked meals to your table while saving on time and dishwashing!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
chicken, quartered
3 lb (cut into quarters)
butter
2 ounces (melted)
small potatoes, thin-skinned
1 lb (washed)
shallots
12 (peeled)
bacon, cubed
4 ounces (diced)
plain flour
2 tablespoons
button mushrooms
4 ounces (cleaned and halved)
dry white wine
5 fluid ounces
chicken stock
7 fluid ounces (homemade or from a cube)
bouquet garni
1
salt
(to taste)
pepper
(to taste)
parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat. Once bubbly, add the quartered chicken and potatoes. Sauté until they are golden brown on all sides, ensuring even cooking. Remove the chicken and potatoes from the pot and set aside.
2
In the same pot, add the peeled shallots and cubed bacon. Cook gently until the shallots have softened and the bacon is slightly crispy, about 5–7 minutes.
3
Sprinkle the plain flour over the shallot and bacon mixture. Stir well, cooking for another 2 minutes to eliminate the raw flour taste.
4
Slowly blend in the chicken stock, stirring continuously to create a smooth sauce. Once combined, add the button mushrooms, dry white wine, and bouquet garni. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Return the chicken and potatoes to the pot, nestling them into the sauce. Cover and simmer for approximately 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked through.
6
Once cooked, remove the bouquet garni carefully. Serve the chicken and potatoes on a platter, ladling the luscious sauce over them. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for an added touch of color and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Rustic French Chicken with Potatoes and Shallots?
It is a classic French comfort dish featuring succulent chicken quarters, thin-skinned potatoes, and shallots simmered in a rich sauce with bacon and mushrooms.
How much chicken do I need for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 3 pounds of chicken, cut into quarters.
Can I substitute the chicken for a dinner party?
Yes, you can substitute the chicken quarters with four individual poussins so each guest has their own bird.
What type of potatoes should be used?
The recipe recommends 1 pound of small, thin-skinned potatoes.
Do I need to peel the potatoes?
No, the instructions specify to wash them but keep the thin skin on.
How many shallots are required?
You will need 12 shallots, peeled.
What kind of wine is best for this dish?
The recipe calls for 5 fluid ounces of dry white wine.
How much bacon is included?
The recipe uses 4 ounces of cubed or diced bacon.
How long does the chicken need to simmer?
The chicken should simmer for approximately 40 minutes or until tender and fully cooked.
What is a bouquet garni?
A bouquet garni is a bundle of herbs used for flavoring; the recipe uses one, which is removed before serving.
How do I prepare the mushrooms?
Use 4 ounces of button mushrooms that have been cleaned and halved.
What type of flour is used to thicken the sauce?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of plain flour.
Can I use a stock cube for the chicken stock?
Yes, you can use 7 fluid ounces of either homemade stock or stock made from a cube.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe requires 2 ounces of butter.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
Melt the butter in a large pot and saute the chicken and potatoes until golden brown.
How long should the shallots and bacon cook?
They should be cooked gently for about 5 to 7 minutes until the shallots soften.
When do I add the flour?
Sprinkle the flour over the shallot and bacon mixture after they have softened and cook for 2 minutes.
What garnish is recommended?
The dish should be garnished with 1 tablespoon of freshly chopped parsley.
Is this a one-pot meal?
Yes, this dish is designed to be cooked in a single large pot, which helps save on dishwashing.
What heat setting is used for simmering?
After bringing the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to low for the 40-minute simmer.
How do I ensure the sauce is smooth?
Slowly blend in the chicken stock while stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
When are the mushrooms added?
Mushrooms are added along with the white wine, chicken stock, and bouquet garni.
Do I need to season the dish?
Yes, season with salt and pepper to taste when adding the liquids and herbs.
How should the chicken and potatoes be served?
Serve them on a platter with the luscious sauce ladled over the top.
What is the preparation for the bacon?
The bacon should be cubed or diced before cooking.
What is the preparation for the shallots?
The 12 shallots should be peeled.
Does this recipe include sugar?
No, the recipe data indicates no sugar is added.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 ingredients in total.
Is this recipe considered easy?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy recipe and a comfort food staple.
Should I remove the bouquet garni?
Yes, the instructions state to remove the bouquet garni carefully once cooking is complete.