Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (2024)

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (1)

EllenDeller

Rating: 4 stars

09/03/2014

We liked this very much. I made it as written, except that I added about a cup of frozen peas at the end so that it could be one-dish meal with baguette slices on the side. Might use herbes de provence instead of thyme/sage next time for more of a French flavor profile. Like many such dishes, it was even more delicious when we ate leftovers for lunch the next day!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (2)

Greyorra

Rating: 2 stars

01/18/2014

Not too impressed, but it could be very good with some work.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (3)

daneanp

Rating: 4 stars

08/28/2013

This is a slightly easier (and less tasty) version of Bistro Chicken with Rosemary-Roasted Potatoes (Cooking Light March 1999). A bit of work for a weeknight meal, but worth the effort because it is so delicious and the serving size is generous. I did add chopped fresh garlic to the veggies in the initial saute. DD would like garlic-mashed potatoes instead of the noodles next time. I think that can be arranged. :-)

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (4)

Loves2Eat23

Rating: 4 stars

02/10/2013

This chicken was really tasty. I'm not a fan of dark meat and I still enjoyed it. I only made half of the recipe and I used half of all the ingredients except the thyme, sage, black pepper, and butter and it came out fine. I will definitely make this again, I just have to be in the mood to cook because the prep work was a little more than I bargained for. Oh, and I did not serve over noodles. I paired it with steamed green beans and sautéed onions.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (5)

Tiffany0914

Rating: 4 stars

12/16/2012

I enjoyed the use of plums in this for that sweet, something different, however it wasn't something I can say I loved and I wouldn't make it again.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (6)

ejscharlotte

Rating: 3 stars

11/03/2012

Started out following recipe, except for 2 changes: made 4 thighs and increased sage to 1 tsp, otherwise I followed the recipe. The 3/4C water was too much; leaving it out would make sauce richer and shorten the time to reduce the liquid. The sauce was a little bland so I added 1 garlic clove, halved (could use 2 or even 3). Continued to cook, but it still lacked something. Added my go-to for adding savory - Worchestershire sauce. Just a splash, could have done more. A few problems with the recipe: no instructions on cooking temps.. One reviewer said her sauce reduced too much indicating a too high cooking temp. Another reviewer didn't like the 35 min cooking time, thinking this was a braised recipe. A braise is a long (hours) cooking time in a fairly small amount of liquid - this had lots of liquid, more like a stew or soup. Need better instructions for beginners re: simmer vs browning temp. Next time: more savories like garlic, rosemary etc. less liquid, longer cook time.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (7)

Savanna1986

Rating: 5 stars

04/07/2012

My husband and I LOVE this dish. The first time I made this, I made it exactly as written and I adored it. The second time, I used chicken breasts since my husband doesn't like dark meat. He liked it. I, however, didn't think it was as good. The prunes give it a really wonderful sweetness. It's delicious.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (8)

coffeemama123

Rating: 5 stars

12/09/2011

This is one of my go-to recipes! The grocery store runs chicken thighs for $0.88/ lb a lot, and all of the other ingredients are so affordable! Very tasty and economical. Depending on how large the chicken thighs are, you may want to brown them in 2 batches. Also, a lot of times I make it ahead of time so that I can refrigerate it and skim the fat off of the top. I live alone, and I've discovered this recipe freezes really well, and if you cook the egg noodles before you freeze it, you can just put the chicken on top of the noodles, and it just gets better! I highly recommend this recipe.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (9)

lexy7070

Rating: 5 stars

09/28/2011

So good! I want everyone I know to try it, but people shy away because of the prunes or "dried pitted plums." Get over it people! Prunes are delicious! They lend a beautiful, subtle sweetness to the whole dish, which is what makes this recipe exciting and new!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (10)

bbarrese

Rating: 5 stars

01/06/2011

Love this recipe...have made it several times. I usually use bone in skinless thighs, but didn't have them so I used skinless boneless. I also substituted fennel tonight because I didn't have celery, and it was delicious. Served with brown rice instead of noodles...still good. For quick prep, I use a food processor to slice the veggies real thin and chop the onion.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (11)

Roughleyme

Rating: 5 stars

11/13/2010

This was super delicious!! I used boneless, skinless thighs and 2 breasts. I dredged them lightly in flour to help thicken the sauce in the end. I also added extra virgin olive oil to the butter. I added fresh rosemary too. I added the prunes the last 10 minutes of cooking but I will add them in the beginning next time. I think they're intended to melt into the sauce to add depth of flavor. Didn't dig them in chunks. It's amazing what the dijon mustard adds. I will make this again and again.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (12)

MaryyarM

Rating: 5 stars

10/04/2010

SO good! It was very easy to double/triple in my dutch oven - I used 24 thighs. Next time I will definitely use bone in breast meat - the sauce was very fatty and it was hard to get out without also taking out the dried spices. Mine didn't reduce that well, but I think that's better for freezing. This tastes AMAZING!!! Next time I'll also use more onions and more dried plums.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (13)

Roserene

Rating: 5 stars

04/30/2010

This recipe is a hands-down favorite whenever I cook it! B/c I don't keep dried plums (prunes) in my cupboard, I substitute chopped golden raisins. The sauce is still delicious, and this is great with homemade mashed potatoes. Also, it freezes well.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (14)

ilovetarragon

Rating: 5 stars

04/20/2010

This dish is savory and moist. It is a French country style; a 'peasant's dinner'. Served over noodles or mashed potatoes, it is very filling and nourishing. I was heavy handed with the thyme and added a bit more sage than the recipe called for. I also added some rosemary and doubled the prunes, half of which I added during the last 10 minutes. I used 1 lb chicken breasts (3, halved) and cooked it in my dutch oven on the stovetop. Next time I will reduce the 3/4 cup water to 1/2 cup so that the sauce is thicker. I agree with the other reviewer who noted that you could easily substitute any dried fruit (apricots, cranberries, raisins (?)) for the prunes. My husband and I gobbled this up and loved every mouthful! Delicious!!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (15)

CMLucas

Rating: 5 stars

04/12/2010

Loved this dish and would definitely make again. I did not change a thing; the chicken was tender and the flavor combination was excellent. I agree with others that the dried plums were a key ingredient. They add just the right amount of flavor to the dish without being overpowering - my husband didn't even realize they were in the dish.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (16)

ProfAmy

Rating: 4 stars

01/05/2010

Delicious, though the sauce came out fairly thick for me-- almost a gravy (this may have been due to temperature on the simmer for me). Like some others suggested, I added rosemary. Very easy, though hard to wait for it to be done, given that it smells as good as it tastes!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (17)

Saecca

Rating: 5 stars

12/31/2009

Oh my...this one was great! The plums (which I never had used in a hot dish before) was utterly fantastic. It added just a hint of sweetness. I loved the combination of everything. I actually ate probably 3/4 of this by myself over two days. This is one of the best recipes I've had in a LONG time where I actually crave it (I cook dinner religiously ever night, so I go threw tons of recipes a month, so that is big for me). I used whole wheat egg noodles too.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (18)

LauraLeigh8

Rating: 5 stars

12/09/2009

I couldn't believe how rich and delicious the sauce was in this dish, and the chicken meat just fell off the bone. Absolutely fantastic!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (19)

JanieRG

Rating: 3 stars

11/23/2009

A good basic recipe. I added extra carrots and a parsnip--- I like extra vegetables. At the end, I thought the sauce was still too thin, so I added a roux... and a 1/2 tsp of rosemary. When I make this again, I'll double the plums, adding some at the end... they pretty much disintegrated after the 1/2 hour simmer.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (20)

KerryGrif

Rating: 5 stars

11/21/2009

I've made this recipe twice-- both times it was very enjoyable. I made this with dried apricots instead of prunes both times, highly recommend the change! I also used chicken breasts, which were moist and juicy. This is a very flavorful dish.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (21)

kcnkate

Rating: 4 stars

11/15/2009

My husband and I both really enjoyed this recipe--particularly the sauce--although, I did make a few minor changes: I left out the celery and doubled the carrots because my husband dislikes celery and I also left out the dried plums. I left the skin on through the braising and then removed it and skimmed off all the fat from the sauce before serving. Delish!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (22)

Paisley9

Rating: 3 stars

11/08/2009

Great recipe for everyday meal and I would serve to guests with appropriate sides. Would definitely make again. Did not alter ingredients but went by weight rather than number of chicken thighs - next time will just buy 8 thighs as sufficient sauce is produced.

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (23)

HeatherNY

Rating: 5 stars

11/06/2009

I made this recipe a couple of weeks ago for my family (of picky eaters) and we absolutely loved it! It was definately one of the most flavorful chicken recipes I have tried in a long time! The blend of ingredients was perfect- with nothing too overpowering. I used two chicken thighs and one (bone-in) chicken breast, as my husband prefers white meat. I didn't have the dried plums so I used dried cranberries and they tasted wonderful! I also served this with mashed potatoes which were delicious topped with the sauce. I've passed this recipe out to a couple of people already, and will definately make it again!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (24)

juliardye

Rating: 4 stars

11/02/2009

Made this last night for supper & we enjoyed it. The chicken was tender and had a great infused flavor from the sauce (I liked the dried plum undertone). I used chicken breasts that I cut in half instead of the thighs. The cooking time was long (I guess that's what braising is all about), but I was glad I tried this on a Sunday vs. a weeknight when I usually feel more rushed to make dinner. I would make again -- on a weekend!

Bistro Braised Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean to braise chicken? ›

We've all heard the term “braise” before, but what the heck does it actually mean? It's actually a combination of cooking techniques whereby you lightly fry your meat before letting it cook, or “stew” in some kind of liquid (generally wine), in a covered dish until fully cooked.

Why is my braised chicken tough? ›

Don't Crank the Heat

Stick with 350 degrees; we found that at 400 degrees, the chicken meat cooks through too rapidly, before any significant breakdown of connective tissue can take place, and the result is tough, stringy meat that no amount of braising liquid can fix.

How long does it take to braise chicken? ›

Time to braise!

Braise for about 40 minutes, or until your meat thermometer says the thighs are done—look for a reading of 165°F. If you are a chicken skin lover, double the chicken stock and leave the lid off. This will help the skin stay crispy while cooking.

What poultry cuts for braising? ›

We love braising bone-in chicken thighs or whole chicken legs, whether it's in a specific traditional dish like chicken adobo or chicken agrodolce, or a standard wine-braising technique. The tenderness that dark meat chicken is known for gets turned up to 11 with a braise.

Can you braise chicken too long? ›

You can over cook chicken breasts when braising, so keep an eye on the temperature and don't let it go above 165 degrees. However, you really can't overcook chicken thighs when braising.

What are the disadvantages of braising meat? ›

Limited Texture Variation: Braising is excellent for achieving tenderness but it can soften food to the point where it loses its structure and variety in texture. Overcooking Risk: Overcooking can occur if the heat is too high or the cooking time is excessive. This can lead to mushy or dry food.

Do you braise with the lid on or off? ›

Time to Braise

Bring your braising liquid to a boil on the stovetop, then reduce it to a simmer and cover the pot. If you can, transfer the covered Dutch oven to a 300 degree F (150 degree C) oven for consistent, even heat.

Should I brown chicken before braising? ›

Tougher cuts of meat can become meltingly tender by braising in stock for a few hours. During this slow cooking process, the connective tissues dissolve to give a rich texture and deep flavour to the stock they are cooking in.

What are the 4 steps in braising technique? ›

If your braise tastes salty in its early stages, it will be too salty and unbalanced once it reduces.”– GREG VERNICK, CHEF, VERNICK FOOD & DRINK, PHILADELPHIA
  1. ESSENTIAL EQUIPMENT: DUTCH OVEN. ...
  2. STEP 1: SEAR YOUR MEAT. ...
  3. STEP 2: SAUTE THE MIREPOIX. ...
  4. STEP 3: DEGLAZE THE POT. ...
  5. STEP 4: BRAISE IT.
Jan 14, 2013

What types of meat are not well suited for braising? ›

Examples are Beef shoulder, Beef brisket, Pork Shank, Cheek meats Types and cuts of protien that are not well suited to braising are tender cuts, parts of anima that dont work alot. These are best suited for quick cooking because they are tender cuts, they contain alot of hard fat but not collagen.

Does meat need to be covered when braising? ›

Braising now generally means cooking any dish—meat or vegetables (think of braised cabbage)—by slowly simmering it in a small amount of liquid over low heat, in a covered pot.

What is the best meat to braise? ›

Some of our favorite cuts to braise are beef short ribs and chuck, pork shoulder and Boston butt, lamb shoulder and shanks, and chicken thighs and legs. And if you have the option of getting bone-in meat, you should: It will impart better flavor to the braising liquid and sauce.

How do you braise things? ›

Add stock or water halfway up the meat you're braising and bring to a boil, then immediately lower to a simmer. Once it's simmering, you can add in aromatics. Cover and keep it at a low simmer on the stovetop or in the oven at 350 degrees F. Cooking low and slow breaks down the tough meat so it's tender and delicious.

What does braise mean in cooking? ›

braising, the cooking of meat or vegetables by heating them slowly with oil and moisture in a tightly sealed vessel. Braising differs from stewing, in which the food is immersed in liquid, and from covered roasting, in which no liquid is added. Braising is a combination of covered roasting and steaming.

Is braising the same as slow cooking? ›

Braising, a form of slow cooking, involves cooking meat on a bed of vegetables (a mirepoix) with a small amount of liquid in a covered pan, for a couple hours on a low heat. The vegetables are usually served with the meat and the wonderful cooking juices are used as a tasty sauce.

Is braising just boiling? ›

For braising, on the other hand, the ingredient is first browned in a small amount of oil; then some form of liquid – generally a flavorful broth – is added to cover the food about one-third way up or less. The pot is gently simmered over lower heat, tightly covered, for a fairly long period.

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