Rustic Chicken Fricassee with Crusty Bread

Tender chicken thighs and a medley of spring vegetables simmered in a rich, creamy tarragon sauce, served alongside crusty bread for a comforting and satisfying meal.
- Prep: 25 min
- Cook: 45 min
- Total: 1 hr 10 min
- Servings: 6
- Cuisine: French
- Difficulty: Medium
- Cost: $3.94/serving
Dietary
- Nut-Free
- Soy-Free
- Egg-Free
- Low-Sugar
- High-Protein
Tags
- bake
- comfort food
- one-pot
- roast
- savory
Ingredients
- 2 pound chicken thigh (boneless, skinless)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt (divided)
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper (divided)
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 1 yellow onion (medium, diced)
- 2 clove garlic (minced)
- 8 ounce cremini mushroom (sliced)
- 2 carrots (large, peeled, sliced into rounds)
- 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 2 cup chicken broth
- 1 pound red potato (small, quartered)
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.25 cup fresh tarragon (chopped)
- 0.5 cup frozen peas
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley (chopped)
- 1 baguette (sliced)
Instructions
- Season the chicken thighs generously with 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large Dutch oven or oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken thighs in batches until deeply golden brown on all sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium, then add the butter to the pot. Add the diced yellow onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the minced garlic and sliced cremini mushrooms, and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and are lightly browned.
- Stir in the sliced carrots and cook for 3 minutes. Sprinkle the all-purpose flour over the vegetables and cook for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly, to create a roux.
- Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Add the quartered red potatoes and return the seared chicken thighs to the pot. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cover and cook for 20-25 minutes, or until the potatoes are tender and the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove the lid and stir in the heavy cream and chopped fresh tarragon. Continue to simmer uncovered for 5-7 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly. Stir in the frozen peas and cook for 2-3 minutes, until heated through. Taste and adjust seasoning with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, if needed.
- While the fricassee is simmering, preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the baguette and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 5-7 minutes, or until lightly golden and warmed through.
- Garnish the fricassee with fresh parsley before serving alongside the warm, sliced baguette.
Notes
Leftovers store well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave. Chicken thighs keep this dish moist and flavorful, but chicken breast can be used if preferred, cooking for a slightly shorter time to avoid drying out.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 525
- Protein: 38.4 g
- Carbohydrates: 42.1 g
- Fat: 23.5 g
- Fiber: 5.8 g
- Sodium: 780 mg
- Saturated Fat: 9.2 g
- Sugar: 4.1 g
- Cholesterol: 125 mg