Breast Of Chicken En Papillote
Chicken breasts cooked en papillote with mushrooms, chives, and aromatic spices, offering tender, flavorful bites perfect for elegant or comforting meals.
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, halved ⓘ
- chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/4 cup butter ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1/2 cup milk ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry white Bordeaux wine ⓘ
- 1 egg yolk, beaten ⓘ
- salt and pepper to taste ⓘ
- pinch of red pepper ⓘ
- pinch of mace or nutmeg ⓘ
- pinch of ground cloves ⓘ
- 1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon chopped chives ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place chicken breasts in a small pot and add chicken broth to barely cover.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer gently until tender (about 25 to 45 minutes).
- Remove chicken from broth and let cool.
- Remove skin and bones from the chicken breasts carefully.
- Cut 6 large pieces of aluminum foil enough to make envelopes for each chicken breast half and spread with 1/2 of the butter.
- Place each chicken breast half on a piece of foil, season with salt, pepper, red pepper, mace or nutmeg, and ground cloves.
- Top with 1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms and a teaspoon chopped chives.
- In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup butter, then stir in 2 tablespoons flour.
- Gradually add 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup white Bordeaux wine, stirring until smooth and thickened.
- Remove from heat and slowly add beaten egg yolk, stirring constantly.
- Pour the sauce over each prepared chicken envelope.
- Fold the foil over the chicken securely to form a sealed packet.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes until heated through and flavors meld.
- Serve the en papillote directly in the foil or transfer to plates, garnished as desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a twist, consider using different mushrooms like shiitake or portobello for added flavor. If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute the butter with olive oil. To save time, use rotisserie chicken instead of poaching your own. Ensure the chicken is well-seasoned before sealing the foil to enhance the flavor during cooking.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken en papillote directly in the foil for a fun presentation, or transfer to plates and garnish with fresh herbs. This dish pairs beautifully with a light salad or steamed vegetables. For a hearty side, consider serving it with rice or quinoa, which can absorb the delicious sauce.
Storage & Reheating
Leftover chicken en papillote can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, place the foil packets in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes, or until heated through, to retain moisture and flavor.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Breast Of Chicken En Papillote contains roughly 345 calories, with 14g protein, 26g carbohydrates, and 24g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (41% of the Daily Value), iron (33% of the Daily Value), and protein (28% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium and vitamin D. It also contributes 11g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen chicken breasts for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen chicken breasts, but they will require additional cooking time. Make sure to thaw them in the refrigerator first for even cooking. Adjust the simmering time until fully cooked through to ensure food safety.
What can I substitute for the white Bordeaux wine?
If you prefer not to use wine, consider using low-sodium chicken broth or a mixture of white grape juice and vinegar as a non-alcoholic substitute. This will still provide acidity and depth of flavor without the alcohol.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time. Store them separately in the refrigerator and assemble the foil packets just before baking. This helps maintain the freshness and flavors, making it a great option for meal prep.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).