Cooking With Wine: Chardonnay Chicken

Why You’ll Love Chardonnay Chicken:

• Sophisticated Yet Simple: This recipe offers a gourmet taste that’s easy to achieve in your home kitchen.
• Perfectly Balanced Flavors: The creamy, buttery sauce enriched with Chardonnay and a hint of dijon mustard gives a beautifully balanced flavor that complements the succulent chicken breasts.
• Versatility in Serving: Whether it’s a fancy dinner party or a casual family meal, this dish fits perfectly. It pairs well with various sides, from classic rice to steamed or sautéed vegetables.
• Customizable: Easily adapt the recipe to suit your taste or dietary needs with simple substitutions, making it a go-to choice for any occasion.
• Quick to Prepare: Despite its luxurious taste, the recipe is surprisingly quick to prepare, making it ideal for both busy weeknights and relaxed weekend dinners.

Chardonnay Chicken Recipe:

Step One:

Start by prepping your chicken:

Pat dry and season generously with salt and pepper. Both chicken thighs and chicken breasts are acceptable for this recipe. I used chicken thighs out of preference; however, if you use chicken breasts, I recommend butterflying them by slicing in half horizontally. This will allow them to cook evenly in the pan. 

Step Two:

In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and 1 tbsp of butter until melted. Carefully add in the chicken (place away from you so you don’t get any splatter on you!) and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until the chicken is cooked through. You want a nice golden exterior. Set to the side and you can loosely cover while we make the sauce.

Step Three:

Reduce the heat and add in the finely minced shallot and garlic. Sauté for about 2 minutes until softened. Deglaze with a bottle of Chardonnay (any kind of chardonnay is perfect, the alcohol will burn off and just leave behind the flavor). Increase to medium heat to a nice simmer. Stirring occasionally, let that reduce by half (this should take about 10 minutes depending on your pan/stove). Turn up the heat slightly and stir continuously.

Step Four:

Add in the chicken stock and let this reduce for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once all of the liquid has reduced by half and has thickened, reduce the heat to low. Add in a squeeze of lemon juice, the Dijon, and 1 tbsp of butter. Stir well to incorporate.

Step Five:

Take off the heat and finish the sauce with some heavy cream or creme fraiche. You can nestle the chicken breasts back into the sauce, or you can pour the sauce right over the chicken. I like serving over rice with garlic green beans, parsley to garnish. Bon Appetit!

This meal is even perfect for littles! My children cleaned their plates. Kid-approved, this a perfect meal for the whole family.

What to Serve with the Chardonnay Chicken:

Chardonnay Chicken is a versatile dish that pairs really well with a variety of sides:

• Starches:
  • Rice: Jasmine or basmati rice makes a fluffy base that absorbs the creamy sauce wonderfully
  • Pasta: Serve over a bed of linguine or fettuccine to make it a hearty meal
  • Potatoes: Mashed potatoes or boiled baby potatoes
  • Polenta: The creamy texture is a nice contrast to the succulent chicken
• Vegetables:
  • Green Beans: Sautéed or steamed green beans 
  • Asparagus: Lightly grilled, sautéed, or roasted asparagus
  • Spinach or Kale: A quick sauté of greens like spinach or kale in garlic and olive oil makes a healthy and vibrant addition
  • Roasted Vegetables: A medley of roasted carrots, zucchini, and bell peppers 
• Salads:
  • Caesar Salad
  • Arugula Salad
• Breads:
  • Garlic Bread: Serve with a side of warm garlic bread to soak up the delicious sauce
  • Baguette: A crusty baguette, either plain or lightly toasted, is perfect for dipping into the creamy sauce