Easy French Chicken

Prep: 15 min Cook: 60 min Serves: 4 Cuisine: French

A comforting French-inspired chicken dish featuring tender drumsticks and thighs in a rich, flavorful sauce with Dijon mustard, white wine, and a hint of Worcestershire. Perfect for family dinners.

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Ingredients

  • 8 drumsticks and thighs, mixed or 4 breast halves
  • salt and pepper
  • 1 stick butter
  • 2 Tbsp. flour
  • 1 c. chicken broth
  • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. white wine
  • Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp. sour cream
  • paprika

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and brown in melted butter; remove from pan.
  2. Stir flour into the remaining butter in the pan; add chicken broth and cook until the mixture thickens, stirring constantly.
  3. Add Dijon mustard, white wine, Worcestershire sauce, and sour cream to the sauce.
  4. Return the chicken to the pan, cover, and simmer until the chicken is tender, about 1 hour.
  5. Serve with noodles, mashed potatoes, or rice.

Tips & Substitutions

For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce for a few hours before cooking. If you don't have chicken broth, vegetable broth can be a great substitute. To add more depth, consider using herbs like thyme or rosemary. For a lighter option, you can use skinless chicken breasts instead of thighs or drumsticks.

Serving Suggestions

This dish pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or rice, allowing the creamy sauce to soak in. Steamed vegetables or a fresh salad can balance the richness of the chicken. For a complete meal, serve with crusty bread to soak up the sauce. You might also enjoy it alongside the Brown Rice Chutney Chicken Salad for a refreshing contrast.

Storage & Reheating

Leftover Easy French Chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place it in a skillet over medium heat with a splash of chicken broth to keep it moist, or microwave it in short intervals, checking for doneness. Reheating in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes works well too.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Easy French Chicken contains roughly 181 calories, with 7g protein, 34g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (25% of the Daily Value) and calcium (20% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 912mg per serving (40% of the Daily Value).

181 kcal 9% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 6.9g 14% DV
Total Fat 1.7g 2% DV
Carbs 34.4g 13% DV
Fiber 1g 3% DV
Sugar 1.5g 3% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 912.2mg 40% DV
Potassium 350.9mg 7% DV
Cholesterol 22.3mg 7% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 220.9mcg 25% DV
Vitamin C 1mg 1% DV
Calcium 263.6mg 20% DV
Iron 0.8mg 4% DV
Diet fit Under 400 cal Low-fat
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten

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 for this recipe?

Yes, boneless chicken can be used, but adjust the cooking time as boneless cuts tend to cook faster. Check for doneness after about 30-40 minutes of simmering. Keep an eye on the sauce to ensure it doesn’t over-reduce.

What can I substitute for white wine in the sauce?

If you prefer not to use white wine, you can substitute it with additional chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice for acidity. White wine vinegar can also work in a pinch, but use it sparingly to avoid overpowering the dish.

How can I make the sauce thicker?

To thicken the sauce further, you can mix an additional tablespoon of flour with a bit of cold water to create a slurry, then stir it into the simmering sauce. Alternatively, simmering it longer will also help reduce and thicken the sauce naturally.

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).

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