Chicken à la Winegrower
Chicken à la Winegrower Recipe from France
Introduction
Chicken à la Winegrower is a classic French dish that combines tender chicken quarters with a flavorful white wine sauce. This dish is perfect for a special dinner or a cozy night in.
History
This recipe has its roots in French cuisine, where wine is often used to enhance the flavors of dishes. The combination of chicken, wine, and mushrooms creates a rich and savory dish that is sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 2 slices of bacon, diced
- 2 cloves of garlic, halved
- 1 tbsp of butter or margarine
- 4 chicken quarters
- 1 cup of chopped onion
- 0.5 cup of dry white wine, divided
- 1 can (4 oz or 113 g) of sliced mushrooms, undrained
- 2 tbsp of chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsp of chopped chives
- 1 bay leaf
- 0.25 tsp of ground black pepper
- 1 cup of chicken broth
- 2 tbsp of flour
- 2 cups of hot cooked rice
- 0.5 cup of sour cream
- chopped fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
How to prepare
- Cook the bacon and garlic in butter in a large skillet over medium-low heat until the bacon is partially cooked. Discard the garlic.
- Add the chicken and brown it on all sides.
- Stir in the onion and cook until it becomes transparent.
- Add 0.25 cup of wine and cook for a few minutes, stirring to loosen the browned particles.
- Add the mushrooms, parsley, chives, bay leaf, black pepper, and broth. Cover and cook over low heat for 30 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
- Remove the chicken and keep it warm. Discard the bay leaf.
- Blend the flour with the remaining 0.25 cup of wine. Stir it into the sauce and cook until thickened and bubbly.
- Serve the chicken over hot rice.
- Top it with the sauce and dollops of sour cream. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Variations
- Substitute chicken breasts for the chicken quarters for a lighter option.
- Add a splash of cream to the sauce for a richer flavor.
- Use different herbs such as thyme or tarragon for a unique twist.
Cooking Tips & Tricks
Be sure to brown the chicken well before adding the other ingredients to develop a deep flavor.
- Use a dry white wine such as Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc for the best results.
- Don't skip the step of blending flour with wine to thicken the sauce - this will give the dish a velvety texture.
Serving Suggestions
Serve Chicken à la Winegrower with a side of crusty bread or a green salad for a complete meal.
Cooking Techniques
This recipe uses a combination of braising and thickening techniques to create a flavorful sauce.
Ingredient Substitutions
Use butter instead of margarine for a richer flavor.
- Substitute button mushrooms for the sliced mushrooms if desired.
Make Ahead Tips
This dish can be prepared ahead of time and reheated before serving. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits.
Presentation Ideas
Garnish the dish with fresh parsley and a dollop of sour cream for a beautiful presentation.
Pairing Recommendations
Serve Chicken à la Winegrower with a glass of the same white wine used in the recipe for a perfect pairing.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.
Nutrition Information
Calories per serving
Each serving of Chicken à la Winegrower contains approximately 400 calories.
Carbohydrates
Each serving of Chicken à la Winegrower contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.
Fats
Each serving of Chicken à la Winegrower contains approximately 20 grams of fat.
Proteins
Each serving of Chicken à la Winegrower contains approximately 30 grams of protein.
Vitamins and minerals
Chicken à la Winegrower is a good source of iron, vitamin B6, and niacin.
Alergens
This recipe contains dairy (sour cream) and gluten (flour).
Summary
Chicken à la Winegrower is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. It is also rich in vitamins and minerals.
Summary
Chicken à la Winegrower is a delicious and elegant dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy night in. With a rich white wine sauce and tender chicken, this recipe is sure to become a favorite in your household.
How did I get this recipe?
I have a clear memory of the first time I saw this recipe for Chicken à la Winegrower. It was many years ago, when I was just a young girl living in the small village of Saint-Émilion, in the heart of the Bordeaux wine region of France. My mother, a passionate cook like myself, had invited a group of friends over for a dinner party, and she had decided to prepare this special dish for the occasion.
As I watched her move gracefully around the kitchen, slicing vegetables, marinating the chicken in a rich red wine sauce, and preparing the fresh herbs that would give the dish its distinctive flavor, I was mesmerized by her skill and confidence. I knew then that I wanted to learn how to make this dish myself, to carry on the tradition of delicious, home-cooked meals that my mother had instilled in me.
After the dinner party was over and the guests had gone home, I asked my mother to teach me how to make Chicken à la Winegrower. She smiled at me, her eyes twinkling with pride, and agreed to show me the recipe. And so, that night, she sat me down at the kitchen table and began to teach me the secrets of this classic French dish.
The first step, she explained, was to marinate the chicken in a mixture of red wine, garlic, shallots, and fresh herbs. This would infuse the meat with a deep, rich flavor that would only improve with time. As the chicken sat in the marinade, we worked on preparing the rest of the ingredients – sautéing onions, mushrooms, and bacon in a large skillet, and then adding the marinated chicken to the pan to cook slowly and gently, until it was tender and juicy.
As the aroma of the cooking chicken filled the kitchen, my mother shared with me the story behind the recipe. She told me that Chicken à la Winegrower was a traditional dish in Bordeaux, made by the wives of the local winegrowers to celebrate the end of the grape harvest. It was a hearty, comforting meal that brought warmth and joy to the table, a perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day of hard work in the vineyards.
I was captivated by the history and tradition behind the dish, and I felt honored to be learning how to make it from my mother, who had learned the recipe from her own mother and grandmothers before her. As we sat down to eat the finished dish together, I savored each bite, savoring the rich, complex flavors that danced on my tongue.
From that day on, Chicken à la Winegrower became a staple in my cooking repertoire. I made it for special occasions, like holidays and birthdays, and also on lazy Sunday afternoons when I wanted to treat myself to a delicious, comforting meal. Over the years, I added my own twist to the recipe, experimenting with different herbs and spices, and occasionally substituting white wine for red to create a lighter, more summery version of the dish.
But no matter how many times I made Chicken à la Winegrower, it always brought me back to that first night in my mother's kitchen, learning the recipe for the very first time. It was a recipe that connected me to my past, to my family and my heritage, and that brought me joy and comfort in the simple act of cooking and sharing a meal with loved ones.
And so, as I sit here now, an older woman with a lifetime of memories and experiences behind me, I still make Chicken à la Winegrower whenever I want to feel close to my mother and my roots. It is a dish that has stood the test of time, a classic recipe that will always hold a special place in my heart and on my table.
Categories
| Bacon Recipes | Chicken Recipes | Chicken Stock And Broth Recipes | French Meat Dishes | French Recipes | Main Dish Poultry Recipes | Mushroom Recipes | Onion Recipes | Rice Recipes | Sour Cream Recipes | White Wine Recipes |