French Food Friday...Chicken Chasseur

 

 recipe and photo from here

Bonjour mes belles,
 
Apologies for the lateness of this post but my computer came down with an illness which resulted in a trip to the Computer Doctor and I am pleased to say that she has made a complete recovery, mille mercis to the lovely Andy at the computer shop on the square in Eymet.
 
I am not a smoker but now have a good idea of what it feels like when you give up something you are dependant on. It is amazing what I got done this morning as a result of not being able to check emails, news, weather etc.
 
Today's recipe is a favourite of mine and the first time that I made this was over twenty years ago when I made it for some friends in NZ. Chasseur means hunter in French and although I am not a huge fan of hunting, it is never the less a big part of the French way of life in France and I think that it always be.
 

 

Chicken Chasseur

 
1 tablespoon cooking oil
4 bone-in chicken breasts (about 2 1/4 pounds in all)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 tablespoon butter
1 onion, chopped
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons flour
6 tablespoons dry vermouth or dry white wine
2/3 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes, drained
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

1. In a large, deep frying pan, heat the oil over moderately high heat. Season the chicken with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper and add to the pan. Cook until browned, turning, about 8 minutes in all. Remove. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from the pan.
2. Add the butter to the pan and reduce the heat to moderately low. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Raise the heat to moderately high. Add the mushrooms, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Stir in the vermouth and bring back to a simmer. Stir in the broth, tomatoes, thyme, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the chicken and any accumulated juices. Reduce the heat; simmer, covered, until the chicken is done, about 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

très bon vendredi à tous, Leeann x