Connemara Chicken
Connemara Chicken is a rich, hearty dish with Irish Mist and mushrooms, perfect for cozy dinners that blend savory flavors with a hint of sweetness and herbs.
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon ⓘ
- 1/4 cup flour ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon salt ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ⓘ
- 3 pounds chicken pieces ⓘ
- 1 medium onion sliced ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic chopped ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon rosemary ⓘ
- 3/4 cup chicken broth ⓘ
- 1/2 cup Irish Mist ⓘ
- 1/2 cup heavy cream ⓘ
- 1 can drained mushrooms ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons oil ⓘ
- 1 minced clove garlic ⓘ
- 1 chicken cut up ⓘ
- 1/2 pound fresh sliced mushrooms ⓘ
- 3/4 cup dry white wine ⓘ
- 1 can tomatoes (16 oz.) ⓘ
- thyme ⓘ
- allspice ⓘ
Instructions
- Pour 3 tablespoons of oil into a skillet and add minced garlic; brown the garlic.
- Add the cut-up chicken pieces to the skillet and brown on all sides over moderate heat.
- Add the sliced onion, chopped garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, drained mushrooms, tomatoes, thyme, and allspice to the skillet.
- Pour in the chicken broth, Irish Mist, and white wine.
- Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
- Remove from heat and stir in the heavy cream to make a rich gravy.
- Serve hot, preferably with spaghetti or your choice of side.
Tips & Substitutions
For added flavor, consider marinating the chicken pieces in the Irish Mist and spices for a few hours before cooking. If you're out of Irish Mist, a mix of honey and whiskey can serve as a substitute. You can also use any variety of mushrooms you have on hand; shiitake or cremini mushrooms add a deeper flavor. To thicken the gravy, whisk in a little more flour if needed.
Serving Suggestions
This Connemara Chicken pairs beautifully with spaghetti or creamy mashed potatoes for a hearty meal. You can also serve it alongside a fresh garden salad or steamed vegetables for a lighter option. For a more traditional Irish touch, consider serving with a side of crusty bread to soak up the rich gravy.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm the chicken in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of chicken broth or water to keep it moist. Alternatively, you can microwave it in short intervals, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Connemara Chicken contains roughly 2041 calories, with 45g protein, 221g carbohydrates, and 113g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (95% of the Daily Value), protein (91% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (71% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 3000mg per serving (130% 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 boneless chicken instead of pieces?
Yes, you can use boneless chicken thighs or breasts, but adjust the cooking time accordingly, as they may cook faster. Ensure they reach an internal temperature of 165°F for safety.
What can I substitute for heavy cream?
If you're looking for a lighter alternative, you can use half-and-half or a combination of milk and Greek yogurt. This will alter the richness slightly, but will still provide a creamy texture.
Is there a vegetarian option for this recipe?
You can create a vegetarian version by substituting the chicken with hearty vegetables like eggplant or portobello mushrooms. Use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth and omit the bacon.
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).