Chicken Nicoise Recipe
Description: This Chicken Nicoise recipe is especially delightful when served with saffron rice. A dish inspired by a memorable meal at a friend’s house, this recipe promises tender, flavorful chicken with a medley of aromatic vegetables and herbs.
Cuisine: French-inspired
Preparation Time: 45 minutes
Cooking Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
Servings: 6
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 2 tbsp | Olive Oil |
| 5 | Chicken Breasts, bone-in and skin-on |
| 2 tbsp | Butter |
| 1 | Onion, finely chopped |
| 2 | Green Peppers, seeded and diced |
| 4 cloves | Garlic, minced |
| 12 | Cherry Tomatoes, halved |
| 2 tbsp | Tomato Paste |
| 1 tbsp | Fresh Parsley, chopped (plus extra for garnish) |
| 1 tsp | Fresh Thyme leaves |
| 1 | Bay Leaf |
| 1/2 tsp | Salt, or to taste |
| 1/2 tsp | Black Pepper, freshly ground |
| 1 cup | Dry White Wine |
| 2 cups | Chicken Stock |
| 1/2 cup | Ripe Olives, pitted |
Instructions:
-
Preheat and Prepare:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large flameproof casserole dish, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
-
Brown the Chicken:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Brown the chicken in the hot oil until golden on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
- Once browned, remove the chicken from the casserole dish and set aside.
-
Sauté Aromatics:
- Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the butter to the same casserole dish.
- Add the finely chopped onion and cook slowly until translucent and lightly browned, stirring occasionally. This should take about 8-10 minutes.
-
Add Vegetables:
- Increase the heat to medium and add the diced green peppers and minced garlic to the casserole dish.
- Sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
-
Incorporate Tomatoes and Flavorings:
- Add the halved cherry tomatoes to the casserole dish, stirring gently to coat them with the oil and aromatics.
- Stir in the tomato paste, chopped parsley, thyme leaves, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together.
-
Deglaze with Wine:
- Pour in the dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the casserole dish.
- Allow the wine to simmer and reduce for about 5 minutes.
-
Simmer and Bake:
- Return the browned chicken breasts back to the casserole dish, nestling them into the vegetable mixture.
- Pour in the chicken stock, ensuring the chicken is partially submerged.
- Cover the casserole dish with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven.
- Bake for approximately 1 1/2 hours or until the chicken is tender and cooked through.
-
Baste and Finish:
- Occasionally baste the chicken with the pan liquids during the baking process to keep it moist and flavorful.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the casserole dish and transfer it to a heated platter.
-
Prepare the Sauce:
- Place the casserole dish with the cooking liquids over high heat on the stovetop.
- Allow the liquids to reduce for about 5 minutes, skimming off any excess grease that rises to the surface.
-
Add Finishing Touches:
- Stir in the pitted ripe olives, allowing them to warm through in the sauce.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
-
Serve:
- Arrange the chicken breasts on a serving platter.
- Spoon the rich, flavorful sauce and vegetables over the chicken.
- Garnish with a sprinkle of fresh parsley.
- Serve hot and enjoy this delightful Chicken Nicoise with your favorite side dishes, such as saffron rice, crusty bread, or a simple green salad.
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 739.2
- Total Fat: 49.7g
- Saturated Fat: 14.6g
- Cholesterol: 189.6mg
- Sodium: 414.2mg
- Total Carbohydrates: 21.8g
- Dietary Fiber: 4.6g
- Sugar: 9.8g
- Protein: 45.8g
Tips and Notes:
- For a richer sauce, you can add a splash of heavy cream or a dollop of crème fraîche towards the end of cooking.
- This dish pairs beautifully with saffron-infused rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or a simple green salad.
- To make this recipe more weeknight-friendly, you can prepare the chicken and vegetable mixture ahead of time and simply bake it when ready to serve.
- Experiment with different types of olives for varying flavor profiles. Kalamata olives can add a briny, Mediterranean twist, while green olives offer a milder, slightly tangy flavor.
Bon appétit! 🍗🍅✨
