Chicken Chasseur {Hunter’s Chicken}
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Chicken Chasseur is a simple, one pot dinner. Commonly known as Hunter’s chicken, this rich, wine-simmered chicken dish cooks up tender and flavorful in under an hour. Don’t be intimidated by the fancy name. Chicken Chasseur, or Hunter’s Chicken, is a simple French country meal. What I like about country French cooking is the simplicity.
There isn’t a lot of “over-thinking” about preparing a meal. They use what’s available and fresh at the moment. (This post was originally published on March 3rd, 2014, and has been updated. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn commission on qualifying purchases)
If she had some fresh herbs in her garden, she would have finished the dish with a sprinkle or two. I still haven’t gotten on board with the instant pot, because even on the stove-top, Chicken Chasseur is ready in less than an hour and is made all in one pot. Traditionally, Chicken Chasseur is finished with fines herbs.
What are fines herbs?
Fines herbs is a mixture of finely chopped fresh tarragon, thyme, parsley, and chervil. Chervil is difficult to find to find in the US, so it’s ok to skip it. Fines herbs are used to garnish a dish, but is also featured in the classic Omelette aux fines herbes.
Keeping it gluten free and lower in carbs.
Generally when I’m remaking a recipe, I try to see if I can eliminate the flour without sacrificing the flavor or consistency. Dredging the chicken in flour before browning helps thicken the sauce. By skipping this, the sauce will be a bit thinner, but the flavor will still shine through. If you’re not watching your carbs, by all means serve it with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. If you are following a low-carb life-style, you’ll find it’s delicious on its own!
How to make Chicken Chasseur
The ingredients are simple. You’ll need about 3-3 1/2 pounds of chicken. You can either bone a whole bird to get an equal amount of white and dark meat, or buy the pieces you prefer. Our family loves thighs, but if you prefer breast meat, you can certainly use just breasts. Leave the skin on to retain juiciness and flavor, and remove it after if you prefer.
Season the chicken pieces, then sauté the bacon. The rendered fat will help brown the chicken pieces. Remove the bacon and brown the chicken.
Don’t crowd the chicken!
Depending on the size of your pan, brown the chicken pieces, 2 or 3 at a time. Next add the mushrooms and onions, stirring about 5 minutes.
Then you’ll deglaze the pan with the wine and brandy. Then add the chicken, herbs and tomatoes.
Reduce the heat and cook for about 45 minutes. Once the chicken is cooked, remove it to dish and cover to keep warm. Because there is no added flour in this recipe, you’ll need to reduce the remaining liquid to thicken it slightly. Then enrich the sauce with a Tablespoon or two of butter. Adjust seasoning and add chicken back to sauce to serve. Garnish with additional fresh herbs.
Bone-in or boneless chicken?
For a slow cooking dish like this, bone-in is best. For quick dishes, like this cider glazed chicken, or apricot glazed chicken, boneless is fine.
What to serve with chicken Chasseur?
Pommes Anna would be a great French side dish, or Mediterranean Rice Pilaf. For dessert, how about the quintessential French Poire Belle Hélène?
Chicken Chasseur
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 pound chicken or chicken pieces
- 3-4 slices bacon chopped
- 8 ounces mushrooms cut in half or quartered depending on the size.
- 1 cup onions or shallots or a combination of both, chopped
- 1 14 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme chopped
- 1 Tablespoon tarragon fresh, chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine
- 2-3 Tablespoons brandy or cognac optional
- 2 Tablespoons butter
- Kosher salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large pot or Dutch oven, over a medium high heat, sauté bacon for 2-3 minutes. Remove browned pieces and place on a plate and continue cooking remaining pieces.
- Add 1/2 of the chicken pieces, depending on the size of your pot, and brown on both sides, about 3 minutes per side.
- Remove browned pieces and place on a plate and continue cooking remaining pieces.
- Reduce heat to medium and add onions and mushrooms and sauté, stirring occasionally 3-4 minutes, scraping browned bits from bottom of the pan.
- Add wine and brandy, and deglaze pan. Add tomatoes, herbs and chicken pieces to pot, cover and reduce heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 45 minutes.
- Remove the chicken pieces to a serving dish and cover. Turn heat up to medium high and cook, reducing sauce so that it is slightly thicker.
- Turn off heat and stir in 2 Tablespoons butter to finish and enhance sauce.
- Season with additional salt and pepper and additional chopped herbs.
Notes
- Cut up a whole chicken, or use a combination of legs, thighs and breasts.
- Don't crowd the chicken when browning.
G’day! This looks like SUCH a delish dish! YUM! Wish I could try some right now!
Cheers! Joanne
Thank you Joanne!
Cynthia- A great take on the classic – must try!
Thank you Lynne.
Nicely done!
Thank you Paul.
Step 1 says to remove the chicken to a dish. When do you return it to the pan?
Thanks for catching that Rachel! At step 3 when you add the tomatoes and herbs to the pan, you add back the browned chicken pieces and continue cooking.
yum! this looks like a wonderful fall supper
Sounds fabulous – just one quick question – when do you remove the bacon from the pan? Do you just leave it in while all the chicken is still browning, or remove when it looks crispy? I’m definitely going to make this in the next week or so. Looks absolutely wonderful! Gluten free too! Thanks!
I made this tonight and took the bacon out when it was partially crisp, then put it back in after the mushrooms and onions were done sautéing.
This is a terrific way to make a “gourmet” chicken dish! My hubby (who is not a chicken lover) has enjoyed this dish every time I’ve made it. A true “keeper.”
This is really nice. And a perfect meal for such cold days! Very similar to coq au vin, although I’ve always used salt pork. Lovely,.
I think coq au vin is a bit fussier in the presentation of the veg though. I love rustic french food!
Just made this terrific dish again tonight. Knowing my husband isn’t fond of mushrooms, I forgot to buy them (I’d have eaten his mushrooms, though). It turned out so well, even without the mushrooms! I served it over spaghetti squash since we can’t eat wheat. Your instructions on making the squash were very clear and it proved to be an ideal base for the sauce. Thanks for a wonderful and really easy “gourmet” dinner.
Thank you so much Carol! I love easy dishes that look fancy!
Thanks for re sharing this recipe in your email, it’s so easy and delicious! Everyone was so impressed! Thanks for making me look good!
Thank you Tara! I appreciate your review.
This has become one of our favorite chicken recipes, especially for fall and winter. I use legs and thighs and serve it with mashed potatoes and a glass of Pinot Noir. Yum!
So nice to hear! Thank you!
A perfect winter dish! Thanks.
that it is Mimi!
One of our favorite recipes! We made it again last night and paired it with a rose from Provence! So good! Your new website is fantastic! Simple design, appealing photos, easy to navigate—love it! Well done! And, I’d like to enter the drawing for the gift card. So generous of you.
thanks Amy! i appreciate it! Entered!
I needed a new recipe for tonight and thankfully your email for this one was waiting for me this morning. This is delicious! Made it tonight for our friends and we all loved it. I used chicken thighs with skin on plus some chicken tenders as I wanted to fill out the quota of meat. I couldn’t find fresh tarragon so used the dried version. A yummy flavor! Served it with the suggested Pommes Anna. Another lovely dish!
Thanks so much Laura! I know fresh tarragon is tough to find! It’s never at Trader Joe’s and hit and miss at regular grocery stores. Thank you and happy new year!
I have made this before and it’s divine! Love your helpful hints. Enter