Savory Slow-Cooker Chicken Chasseur
Indulge in the rich and complex flavors of this Slow-Cooker Chicken Chasseur, inspired by the culinary mastery of America's Test Kitchen. This dish features bone-in, skin-on chicken breast or thighs, slow-cooked to perfection alongside crispy bacon, earthy cremini mushrooms, and aromatic herbs. The addition of dry white wine and diced tomatoes creates a luscious sauce that envelops the tender chicken, making it a comforting and hearty meal perfect for any occasion. Serve it over a bed of rice or with crusty bread to soak up every last drop of the delectable sauce.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
bacon
8 (slices, finely chopped)
vegetable oil
as needed (for browning)
chicken breast halves or thighs
6 (10-12 oz. each for breasts or 12 thighs at 6-8 oz. each)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
cremini mushrooms
1.25 (lbs, quartered)
red onion
1 (chopped)
garlic cloves
4 (minced)
dry white wine
1.5 (cups)
tomato paste
2 (tablespoons)
diced tomatoes
14.5 (ounces, drained)
low sodium chicken broth
2.5 (cups total)
dried porcini mushrooms
1/4 (ounces, rinsed thoroughly and finely chopped)
fresh thyme
1 (tablespoon, minced (or 1 tsp. dried))
bay leaves
2 (whole)
red pepper flakes
1/2 (teaspoon)
flour
1/4 (cup)
fresh parsley
1/4 (cup, minced)
Instructions
1
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the finely chopped bacon until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer the bacon to the crockpot and reserve the bacon fat.
2
If the bacon fat does not amount to at least 2 tablespoons, add vegetable oil to make up the difference.
3
Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and season both sides with salt and pepper. In the skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of bacon fat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Brown half of the chicken pieces, about 5 minutes per side, until golden brown. Transfer to the crockpot. If using thighs, you may remove the browned skin at this point.
4
In the same skillet, repeat the process with the remaining chicken pieces, adding another 2 teaspoons of bacon fat as needed. Discard any excess fat left in the skillet once all the chicken is browned.
5
Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of bacon fat to the empty skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the quartered cremini mushrooms, chopped red onion, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Sauté until the mushrooms are browned and have released their moisture, about 10-15 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 15 seconds until fragrant.
6
Deglaze the skillet with the dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the tomato paste and allow the mixture to simmer until the wine has reduced by half, approximately 5 minutes. Pour this mixture into the crockpot.
7
To the crockpot, add the drained diced tomatoes, 1.5 cups of chicken broth, chopped dried porcini mushrooms, minced thyme, bay leaves, and red pepper flakes. Gently stir to combine all ingredients.
8
Cover and cook on low for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender and fully cooked.
9
Once the chicken is done, transfer it to a large serving dish and cover loosely with aluminum foil. Discard the bay leaves.
10
Set the crockpot to high heat. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour and the remaining 1/2 cup of chicken broth until smooth. Stir this mixture into the crockpot to thicken the sauce. Cover and cook for an additional 15 to 30 minutes until the sauce is thickened and no longer tastes of raw flour.
11
Stir in the minced parsley and season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon the vegetables and sauce over the chicken in the serving dish, and serve with additional sauce on the side.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Slow-Cooker Chicken Chasseur?
It is a rich and complex French-inspired dish featuring bone-in chicken slow-cooked with bacon, mushrooms, herbs, and a tomato-wine sauce.
What type of chicken is best for this recipe?
You can use either 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves (10-12 oz each) or 12 chicken thighs (6-8 oz each).
Why do I need to cook the bacon first?
Cooking the bacon until crispy provides flavorful bits for the crockpot and yields the bacon fat used for browning the chicken and vegetables.
What should I do if I don't have enough bacon fat?
If the bacon does not release at least 2 tablespoons of fat, add vegetable oil to the skillet to reach that amount.
Is browning the chicken necessary?
Yes, browning the chicken for about 5 minutes per side develops a golden color and deepens the flavor of the final dish.
Should I keep the skin on chicken thighs?
The recipe suggests you may remove the browned skin from the thighs before placing them in the crockpot.
What kind of mushrooms are used in Chicken Chasseur?
This recipe uses a combination of 1.25 lbs of quartered cremini mushrooms and 1/4 ounce of dried porcini mushrooms.
How long do I need to sauté the cremini mushrooms?
Sauté them with chopped red onion and salt for 10-15 minutes until they are browned and have released their moisture.
When should the minced garlic be added?
Add the garlic after the mushrooms and onions are browned, and cook for only 15 seconds to prevent burning.
What does it mean to deglaze the skillet?
It involves pouring dry white wine into the hot skillet and scraping up the flavorful browned bits (fond) from the bottom.
How much should the wine and tomato paste mixture reduce?
Simmer the mixture for approximately 5 minutes until the wine has reduced by about half.
Should the canned diced tomatoes be drained?
Yes, the 14.5-ounce can of diced tomatoes should be drained before being added to the crockpot.
How much chicken broth is required for the initial slow-cooking?
You add 1.5 cups of low sodium chicken broth to the crockpot before starting the 4-hour cooking cycle.
What herbs provide the aromatic profile for this dish?
The recipe calls for minced fresh thyme (or dried), whole bay leaves, and fresh parsley added at the end.
How long is the cooking time in the slow cooker?
Cover and cook on the low setting for about 4 hours, or until the chicken is tender.
What is the procedure for the bay leaves?
The bay leaves should be discarded once the 4-hour cooking cycle is complete and before the sauce is thickened.
How do you thicken the Chasseur sauce?
Set the crockpot to high and stir in a slurry made of 1/4 cup flour and the remaining 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
How long does it take for the sauce to thicken on high heat?
It takes an additional 15 to 30 minutes for the sauce to thicken and for the raw flour taste to disappear.
When is the fresh parsley added?
Stir in 1/4 cup of minced fresh parsley after the sauce has thickened and just before serving.
What are the recommended serving suggestions?
Serve the chicken and sauce over a bed of rice or with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh?
Yes, you can substitute 1 tablespoon of fresh minced thyme with 1 teaspoon of dried thyme.
What type of wine should be used?
A dry white wine is best for deglazing and creating a balanced, acidic sauce.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 18 total ingredients listed for this Savory Slow-Cooker Chicken Chasseur.
Is there any heat or spice in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes for a subtle hint of heat.
Why are dried porcini mushrooms used?
Dried porcinis provide a concentrated, earthy umami flavor that complements the fresh cremini mushrooms.
Do I need to rinse the dried porcini mushrooms?
Yes, they should be rinsed thoroughly to remove any grit before being finely chopped.
What is the role of tomato paste in the sauce?
Tomato paste adds richness, body, and a slight sweetness to the wine reduction.
Should the chicken be seasoned before cooking?
Yes, pat the chicken dry and season both sides with salt and pepper before browning it in the skillet.
How should I handle the chicken while the sauce thickens?
Transfer the cooked chicken to a serving dish and cover it loosely with aluminum foil to keep it warm.
Can I use white onion instead of red?
While the recipe calls for red onion, you can substitute with white or yellow onion if needed for a similar flavor profile.