Picture a warm kitchen, the aroma of garlic and herbs wafting through the air as chicken simmers in a rich, savory sauce. You might find yourself wondering how a single pot can yield such depth of flavor while keeping the cooking process so simple. This rustic dish, known as Chicken Chasseur, not only offers a comforting meal but also invites you to explore its intriguing history and the nuances of its preparation. What makes this dish a staple in French cuisine, and how can you easily replicate its essence at home?
Key Takeaways
- One Pot Chicken Chasseur is a rustic French dish featuring tender chicken legs in a rich sauce of wine, mushrooms, and aromatics.
- The cooking process involves browning chicken, sautéing onions and mushrooms, then simmering with red wine and chicken stock for depth.
- Fresh herbs like thyme or parsley enhance flavor and aroma, adding a fresh touch to the finished dish.
- Serve with crusty bread or rice to soak up the delicious sauce, making it a hearty meal for family gatherings.
- Let the dish rest after cooking to allow flavors to meld, ensuring a more flavorful and satisfying experience.
History

When you explore the history of Chicken Chasseur, you'll discover its roots in French cuisine, where it was originally crafted with game birds and seasonal mushrooms.
Known as "hunter's chicken," this French classic reflects the rustic cooking traditions of the time, showcasing ingredients readily available in forested areas. The term "chasseur" means "hunter," emphasizing the dish's connection to hunting and local produce, especially during the autumn season when game meats flourished.
Over the years, Chicken Chasseur has evolved, with chicken often replacing game meat to make it more accessible to home cooks.
Unlike its Italian counterpart, Chicken Cacciatore, this dish features a remarkable use of white wine and focuses on mushrooms, highlighting its unique culinary heritage.
Recipe

One Pot Chicken Chasseur
One Pot Chicken Chasseur, also known as Hunter's Chicken, is a rustic and hearty dish that brings together tender chicken legs and a rich, flavorful sauce, perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners. The process begins with browning the chicken to develop a golden crust, which helps to lock in moisture and flavor.
The combination of sautéed onions, garlic, and mushrooms creates a savory base that's enhanced by the addition of red wine, tomato purée, and chicken stock, resulting in a delicious sauce that complements the chicken beautifully.
Once the chicken is simmered until tender, it absorbs all the delightful flavors of the sauce, making every bite a taste sensation. The final step of reducing the sauce intensifies its flavor and creates a syrupy consistency that clings to the chicken and any accompaniments.
Serve this comforting dish with crusty bread or rice to soak up the delicious sauce, and enjoy a meal that's both satisfying and full of warmth. Additionally, incorporating fresh herbs into your meal can enhance the flavors and provide added nutritional benefits.
Ingredients:
- 4 chicken legs, skin-on
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 200g mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup red wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato purée
- 2 cups chicken stock
- Fresh herbs (such as thyme or parsley), for garnish
Cooking Instructions:
Begin by seasoning the chicken legs generously with salt and pepper.
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and butter over medium-high heat. Add the chicken legs and brown them on all sides, about 8-10 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add the onions, garlic, and mushrooms, sautéing until the onions are translucent and the mushrooms are tender.
Deglaze the pot with the red wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom. Stir in the tomato purée and chicken stock, then return the chicken legs to the pot.
Bring the mixture to a simmer, cover, and cook for one hour, allowing the chicken to become tender and absorb the flavors. After an hour, uncover the pot and reduce the sauce for an additional 10 minutes until it reaches a syrupy consistency.
Extra Tips:
For added depth of flavor, consider marinating the chicken in the red wine for a few hours or overnight before cooking.
Make sure to use a good quality wine, as it will significantly impact the taste of the sauce. Additionally, feel free to customize the recipe by adding other vegetables, such as carrots or bell peppers, for extra nutrition and flavor.
Finally, let the dish rest for a few minutes after cooking; this will help the flavors meld together even more and make for a more enjoyable dining experience.
Cooking Steps

To kick off your cooking adventure, start by searing the chicken until it's golden brown.
Once that's done, you'll add mushrooms and let everything simmer while stirring in fresh herbs.
This sets the stage for a delicious sauce that pulls all the flavors together.
Step 1. Sear Chicken Until Golden Brown

Start by heating a mix of olive oil and butter in a large casserole over medium heat, setting the stage for that perfect golden crust on the chicken.
Season the chicken legs generously with salt and pepper, then add them to the hot oil. Sear the chicken for about 5 minutes on each side, making sure they turn a beautiful golden brown without cooking through completely.
Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside. This allows the fat and juices to remain in the casserole, essential for building flavor.
The caramelization not only enhances the taste but also forms fond at the bottom, which will deepen the sauce when you're ready to add the chicken legs back and simmer on a low heat.
Step 2. Add Mushrooms and Simmer

After removing the browned chicken, melt the remaining butter in the same pan and sauté the chopped onions for about 5 minutes until they soften, creating a flavorful base for your sauce.
Next, add 200g of quartered mushrooms and cook for another 2 minutes, allowing them to release their moisture and deepen the dish's earthiness.
Stir in 2 crushed garlic cloves and cook for 1 minute to infuse the oil with garlic flavor.
Pour in 225ml of red wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits.
Then, mix in 2 tablespoons of tomato purée and let it bubble and reduce for 5 minutes.
Finally, add 500ml of chicken stock before returning the chicken to the pan to simmer for 1 hour until tender.
Step 3. Stir in Fresh Herbs

Once the chicken has simmered and the sauce has thickened, it's time to enhance the flavors by stirring in fresh herbs.
Begin by adding thyme sprigs during the simmering stage, allowing their aroma to infuse the sauce beautifully. This step elevates the flavor profile and creates a delightful balance.
If you're looking for a more robust taste, chop some fresh parsley and add it just before serving as a garnish; it not only boosts flavor but also adds a vibrant pop of color.
Remember to taste the sauce after incorporating the herbs to adjust the seasoning as needed. This careful attention ensures your Chicken Chasseur is both delicious and visually appealing.
Enjoy the freshness!
Step 4. Add White Wine and Reduce

With the fresh herbs added to your Chicken Chasseur, it's time to bring in the white wine for an extra layer of flavor.
Pour in 225ml of a dry white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, and watch as it deglazes the pan, lifting those delicious browned bits.
Let the liquid bubble for about 5 minutes to reduce, concentrating the flavour and creating a more complex sauce. This reduction helps achieve a syrupy consistency that'll beautifully envelop the chicken.
Keep an eye on it, stirring occasionally, until you notice the sauce thickening.
Once you've reduced the wine, you'll be ready to move on to the next step, but for now, relish the enhanced aroma filling your kitchen.
Step 5. Add Chicken Stock and Simmer

Now it's time to enrich your dish by adding 500ml of chicken stock to the pot.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of tomato purée, mixing well to combine the flavors. Toss in 2 sprigs of thyme for an aromatic touch.
Next, return the browned chicken legs to the pan, ensuring they're submerged in the liquid. Cover the pot and set it to low heat, letting it simmer for 1 hour.
This slow cooking allows the chicken to absorb the rich flavors of the stock and sauce. After an hour, check that the chicken is very tender; this indicates it's ready to enjoy.
Your one pot chicken chasseur will be bursting with deliciousness!
Final Thoughts

As you wrap up your culinary adventure with one-pot chicken chasseur, you'll appreciate how this dish combines convenience with gourmet flavors.
Using olive oil to sauté mushrooms, onions, and garlic creates a savory base that's perfect for the chicken. As you let it simmer, the chicken becomes incredibly tender, soaking up the rich sauce made from red wine and chicken stock.
After about an hour of cooking, the flavors meld beautifully, ensuring every bite is delightful. Don't forget to boil the sauce down for about 10 minutes to achieve that syrupy consistency, elevating the presentation and taste.
This dish serves four, making it perfect for family gatherings, especially when paired with crusty bread or rice to soak up the delicious sauce. Additionally, you might consider enhancing your dining experience by incorporating natural elements like wood or stone in your dinner setting, which can create a warm and inviting atmosphere.