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Tender Chicken in French Sauce

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Chicken Chasseur is a French-inspired dish featuring tender chicken cooked with cremini mushrooms, shallots, and garlic. It's deglazed with cognac and dry white wine, creating a flavorful base. A concentrated tomato paste and fresh Roma tomatoes enhance the sauce, while chicken and beef stock add depth. Sour cream lends creaminess, while tarragon and parsley provide herbal freshness. Served over mashed potatoes, this dish is hearty and satisfying, perfect for a dinner gathering or a special occasion.

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Fatiha
Updated on Fri, 13 Jun 2025 11:58:21 GMT
A bowl of food with tomatoes, potatoes, and mushrooms. Pin it
A bowl of food with tomatoes, potatoes, and mushrooms. | zestplate.com

This hearty Chicken Chasseur transports me straight to the French countryside with its rich flavors and comforting aromas. The classic Hunter's Chicken combines tender meat with earthy mushrooms in a luxurious cognac and tomato sauce that will impress even the most discerning dinner guests.

My culinary school instructor first taught me this dish and I still remember the way the kitchen filled with the intoxicating aroma of cognac and herbs. Years later it remains my go to recipe when I want to create a memorable dining experience without spending all day in the kitchen.

Ingredients

  • Bone in chicken pieces: provide rich flavor and stay juicy during the long simmer
  • Cremini mushrooms: offer earthy depth that pairs perfectly with the savory sauce
  • Cognac or brandy: adds sophisticated flavor and helps tenderize the meat
  • Fresh tarragon: brings the distinctive licorice note essential to authentic French cuisine
  • Double concentrated tomato paste: creates intensity without watering down the sauce
  • Both chicken and beef stock: provide complex depth that elevates the entire dish

How To Make Chicken Chasseur

Prepare the Chicken:
Pat chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels to ensure proper browning. Season generously with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on all sides. A properly seasoned base is crucial for developing the flavor profile of this classic dish.
Create the Perfect Sear:
Heat butter and olive oil in a large heavy bottomed pan until shimmering but not smoking. Place chicken skin side down and resist the urge to move it for a full 8 minutes. This patience allows the skin to develop that crucial golden crust that locks in moisture and adds flavor complexity.
Build the Mushroom Base:
Cook sliced mushrooms in the same pan with all those flavorful chicken drippings until they turn deeply golden. This step concentrates their earthy flavor through caramelization. Add the aromatic shallots and garlic just briefly to release their essence without burning.
Create the Signature Sauce:
Pour in cognac to deglaze and capture all the flavorful fond from the pan bottom. Allow the alcohol to cook off while the wine reduces to intensify. The combination of tomato paste fresh tomatoes and dual stocks creates the signature rich sauce that defines this dish.
Finish with Finesse:
Return the chicken to the thickened sauce allowing it to gently simmer and absorb the flavors. The final addition of butter and fresh herbs brings brightness and silky richness. This contrast of deep savory notes with fresh herb highlights creates the balanced complexity that makes this dish special.
A bowl of chicken with mushrooms and tomatoes. Pin it
A bowl of chicken with mushrooms and tomatoes. | zestplate.com

My grandmother always insisted on using both tarragon and parsley in her Chicken Chasseur. She claimed the tarragon was the soul of the dish while parsley brought the brightness needed to balance the rich sauce. Every time I make this recipe I remember her standing over the stove tasting and adjusting until it was just right.

Wine Pairing Suggestions

Chicken Chasseur pairs beautifully with medium bodied red wines that complement rather than overpower the dish. A Pinot Noir from Burgundy makes a classic regional pairing with bright acidity to cut through the richness. Alternatively a Côtes du Rhône offers earthy notes that echo the mushrooms while providing enough structure to stand up to the sauce.

Make Ahead Tips

This dish actually improves with time making it perfect for entertaining. Prepare it up to two days ahead stopping before adding the fresh herbs. Refrigerate then gently reheat on the stovetop adding the herbs just before serving. The flavors will have melded beautifully and youll be free to enjoy your guests.

A bowl of food with chicken and mushrooms. Pin it
A bowl of food with chicken and mushrooms. | zestplate.com

Serving Suggestions

While mashed potatoes make a traditional accompaniment crusty French bread is essential for soaking up every last bit of the precious sauce. For a complete French bistro experience serve with a simple green salad dressed with a sharp Dijon vinaigrette. The acidity of the salad provides a perfect counterpoint to the rich main course.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What type of chicken is best for Chicken Chasseur?

Bone-in chicken pieces like thighs or drumsticks work best as they stay moist during cooking and add deeper flavor to the dish.

→ Can I substitute cognac or brandy in the recipe?

Yes, you can substitute an equivalent amount of dry sherry or omit the alcohol entirely, though it will slightly alter the flavor.

→ How do I thicken the sauce if it's too thin?

Simmer the sauce uncovered for a few extra minutes to reduce it, or mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with water and stir it into the sauce.

→ Can I prepare Chicken Chasseur ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the dish up to one day ahead. Store it in the refrigerator and reheat gently over low heat before serving.

→ What can I serve with Chicken Chasseur?

Mashed potatoes, egg noodles, or crusty bread are great accompaniments that soak up the flavorful sauce.

Classic Chicken Chasseur Cognac

Rustic French chicken dish in a savory mushroom-cognac-tomato sauce with tarragon and parsley.

Prep Time
45 Minutes
Cook Time
45 Minutes
Total Time
90 Minutes
By: Fatiha

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Difficult

Cuisine: French

Yield: 8 Servings (8 pieces)

Dietary: Low-Carb, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Main Ingredients

01 3 russet potatoes
02 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
03 4 tablespoons olive oil
04 3 pounds bone-in chicken pieces
05 2 teaspoons kosher salt
06 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
07 1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
08 0.25 cup shallots, finely diced
09 1.5 tablespoons garlic, freshly minced
10 0.5 cup cognac or brandy
11 0.5 cup dry white wine
12 3 tablespoons double concentrated tomato paste
13 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
14 1.5 cups chicken stock
15 0.5 cup beef stock
16 0.25 cup sour cream
17 2 tablespoons fresh tarragon, chopped
18 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Step 01

Pat chicken pieces dry and season with kosher salt and black pepper. If desired, peel and quarter russet potatoes for mashed potatoes preparation.

Step 02

Heat half the butter and all of the olive oil in a large heavy-bottomed pan over medium-high heat. Sear chicken pieces skin-side down for 8 minutes per side until browned and cooked through. Remove chicken and cover to keep warm.

Step 03

In the same pan, add mushrooms and cook over medium heat for 3 minutes until golden. Stir in diced shallots and minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.

Step 04

Deglaze the pan with cognac, scraping up any browned bits. Pour in white wine and allow to reduce by half. Stir in tomato paste and diced Roma tomatoes. Add chicken stock, beef stock, and sour cream. Simmer until sauce is thickened, about 8 to 10 minutes.

Step 05

Stir in chopped tarragon and the remaining butter. Return seared chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Spoon sauce over chicken and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

Step 06

Remove from heat. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot, accompanied by mashed potatoes if prepared.

Notes

  1. For best results, use fresh tarragon and unsalted butter to enhance flavor.

Tools You'll Need

  • Heavy-bottomed pan
  • Knife for dicing and chopping
  • Cutting board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • This recipe contains dairy (butter, sour cream).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 420
  • Total Fat: 25 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 15 g
  • Protein: 35 g