Chicken A La Francaise
Chicken A La Francaise features tender chicken strips in a flavorful sauce with green peas, mushrooms, and tomatoes, served over fluffy rice—perfect for a hearty, elegant meal.
Ingredients
- 3 cups hot cooked rice ⓘ
- 2 whole chicken breasts, skinned, boned, and cut in thin strips ⓘ
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine ⓘ
- 1 cup sliced green onions with tops ⓘ
- 1 (8 oz.) can sliced mushrooms, drained ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry sherry (optional) ⓘ
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth ⓘ
- 3 fresh tomatoes, peeled and cut in eighths ⓘ
Instructions
- While rice is cooking, season chicken with salt and pepper. Saute in butter until browned.
- Add onions and mushrooms; continue cooking 2 minutes longer.
- Stir in sherry (if using), green peas, and chicken broth.
- Cover and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add peeled and cut tomatoes to the chicken mixture.
- Dissolve cornstarch in mushroom liquid and stir into the chicken mixture.
- Cook, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes until thickened.
- Serve over beds of fluffy rice and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a richer flavor, consider using homemade chicken broth instead of store-bought. If you don’t have dry sherry, a splash of white wine or even chicken broth can work as substitutes. Ensure the chicken is cut into uniform strips for even cooking. You can also add a dash of garlic or fresh herbs like thyme for extra flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken A La Francaise over the hot cooked rice for a comforting meal. It pairs beautifully with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh green salad. A crisp white wine complements the dish perfectly, enhancing the flavors of the chicken and sherry. For a complete experience, browse more chicken recipes to find delightful pairings.
Storage & Reheating
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth to maintain moisture. Alternatively, you can microwave in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken A La Francaise contains roughly 978 calories, with 30g protein, 45g carbohydrates, and 74g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (59% of the Daily Value) and vitamin C (31% of the Daily Value), and a good source of iron. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1460mg per serving (63% of the Daily Value).
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 peas instead of fresh?
Yes, frozen peas are a great substitute and can be added directly to the dish without thawing. They will cook quickly and retain their bright color and sweetness, making them a convenient choice.
What can I use instead of chicken breasts?
You can substitute chicken thighs for a juicier option or even use boneless, skinless chicken tenders. Just be mindful of cooking times as thighs may take slightly longer to cook through.
Is there a vegetarian version of this dish?
Absolutely! You can replace chicken with tofu or tempeh and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth. Add more vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini for a hearty, meat-free alternative.
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).