Best Chicken Poulet Recipes

CHICKEN FRICASSEE (FRICASSEE DE POULET A L'ANCIENNE)

Steps:

• Brown ChickenSeason chicken on both sides with 1 tablespoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Preheat a Dutch oven or other large heavy pot over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons butter and the oil to pot. When butter melts and foam subsides, add half the chicken, skin side down, in a single layer; do not crowd pot. (If butter begins to blacken, lower heat.) Fry chicken, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes total, and transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining chicken.
• Saute MirepoixReduce heat to medium, and add mirepoix (onion, carrot, and celery) to pot, scraping up any browned bits with a wooden spoon. Saute mirepoix, stirring occasionally, until soft and golden brown in places, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Cook Mushrooms and FlourAdd mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until mushrooms darken, become glossy, and begin to release liquid, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in flour, and cook until flour is absorbed by vegetables and is no longer visible, about 1 minute.
• Pour in Wine and BrothAdd wine to pot, and bring to a boil, stirring until liquid just thickens, about 45 seconds. Add broth, and stir.
• Simmer ChickenPlace chicken, skin side up, in a single layer on vegetables; pour juices that have accumulated on plate into pot. Tie parsley sprigs, thyme sprigs, and bay leaf together with kitchen twine; add to pot. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover partially. Cook until internal temperature of thickest part of chicken registers 165 degrees, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer chicken to a clean plate. Simmer liquid, uncovered, until reduced slightly, about 5 minutes. Discard herbs.
• Make and Add LiaisonTo make the liaison (sauce thickener), whisk together egg yolks and cream in a medium bowl. Whisking constantly, pour 1/2 cup cooking liquid, 1 tablespoon at a time, into liaison to temper it. Stir tempered liaison into pot.
• Finish with Tarragon, Lemon, and ButterReturn chicken to pot. Add tarragon, lemon juice, and the remaining butter. Bring to a simmer, stir gently to combine, and serve.

BRAISED CHICKEN WITH TOMATOES AND OLIVES (POULET PROVENCAL)

Steps:

• Preheat convection oven to 400°F or regular oven to 425°F with rack in middle.
• Toss together tomatoes, onion, olives, sliced garlic, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 teaspoon herbes de Provence, fennel seeds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a 13- by 9-inch or other 3-quart shallow baking dish. Push vegetables to sides of dish to make room for chicken.
• Stir together minced garlic, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, remaining teaspoon herbes de Provence, and remaining tablespoon olive oil.
• Remove excess fat from chicken and pat dry, then rub inside and out with seasoning mixture. Tie legs together with string, then put chicken in baking dish.
• Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of a thigh (do not touch bone) registers 170°F, about 1 hour in convection oven; 1 to 1 1/4 hours in regular oven.
• Let chicken stand 10 minutes before carving. Serve with vegetables and pan juices.

POULET YASSA (CHICKEN YASSA) FROM AFRICA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients (except the optional vegetables), the more onions the better, and allow chicken to marinate in a glass dish in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
• Remove chicken from the marinade, but save the marinade.
• Cook according to one of the following methods.
• Cooking method 1: Grill chicken over a charcoal fire (or bake it in a hot oven) until chicken is lightly browned but not done.
• Cooking method 2: Sauté chicken for a few minutes on each side in hot oil in a frypan.
• While chicken is browning: Remove onions from marinade and sauté them in a large saucepan for a few minutes.
• Add remaining marinade and the optional vegetables and bring to a slow boil, cooking the marinade into a sauce.
• Reduce heat.
• Add chicken to the sauce, cover and simmer until chicken is done.
• Serve with Rice, Couscous (couscous with chickpeas and raisins is very good), or Fufu.

CHICKEN NORMANDY (ESCALOPE DE POULET A LA NORMANDE)

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Pan-sear chicken breasts in the hot oil until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken breasts from the skillet.
• Add drained mushrooms to the pan juices in the skillet and cook until they start to pop, about 5 minutes.
• Whisk together cream, egg yolk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper in a small bowl; pour into the skillet with the mushrooms. Return chicken breasts to the skillet and simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent the egg yolk from setting, until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 15 to 20 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken breast should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).
• Serve with cooked white rice.

POULET A LA MOUTARDE (CHICKEN IN DIJON MUSTARD SAUCE)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Warm oil and butter in a large, ovenproof casserole or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season chicken thighs with salt and pepper and place into the pot, skin-side down. Brush thighs with 1/2 the mustard. Cook until skin is golden, 3 to 4 minutes, and turn thighs over. Brush with remaining mustard. Cook 3 to 4 minutes more and transfer thighs to a plate.
• Reduce heat to medium and add sliced onion to the casserole. Cook until nearly clear, 5 to 6 minutes. Pour in wine to deglaze. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes. Keep cooking until sauce reduces slightly and no longer smells strongly of alcohol, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Pour broth and heavy cream into the casserole dish. Scrape the bottom to loosen browned bits. Add bay leaf and thyme. Return chicken to the casserole dish and cover.
• Bake in the preheated oven until chicken is no longer pink at the bone and juices run clear, about 40 minutes.

UASSA AU POULET DE LA CASAMANCE - BBQ CHICKEN W LEMON AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Pour: 1 cup lemon juice and 1 cup salad oil over the chickens;.
• Allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
• Remove the chickens and broil (preferably over charcoal) until chickens brown on all sides and are about half done.
• Simmer the onion mixture above over direct heat stirring up from bottom to prevent onions from browning. Onions should remain white. cook no longer than 5 minutes.
• Return chickens to pan, smothering them with the onions.
• Pour 1 quart chicken stock over the mixture.
• Bake at 375F for 20 minutes until onions turn a light golden color.
• cook 1/2 to 1 lb white rice as directed on package.
• Place serving of cooked rice on a dinner plate. Top with 1 broiled chicken half.
• Cover with 1/2 to 1 cup Yassa onion mixture.
• Garnish with watercress or parsley.

POULET ROTI A L'ALGERIENNE (ALGERIAN ROAST CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Mix water, onion, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, black pepper, cayenne pepper, and salt together in a roasting dish. Add chicken; turn until well coated with mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, reads 165 degrees F (74 degrees C), about 1 hour 30 minutes.

PETITE BLANQUETTE DE POULET A L'ESTRAGON (TARRAGON CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Poke the whole clove into the onion, and place onion into a large soup pot. Stir in water, white wine, celery, garlic, thyme, parsley, salt, and black pepper; bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat. Place the chicken pieces and carrots into the liquid, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove the chicken pieces to a bowl; strain the stock and reserve about 2 cups. Discard vegetables and herbs.
• Sprinkle the chicken pieces with flour. Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat, and pan-fry the chicken until golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Remove chicken pieces; place mushrooms into the skillet, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms have just started to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Return chicken to skillet; pour in enough stock to barely cover the chicken and mushrooms (about 2 cups); cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove chicken and mushrooms to a serving dish. Boil the remaining liquid until reduced by half, stirring constantly, about 10 minutes.
• In a bowl, whisk together the egg yolk, lemon juice, and cream; remove the skillet from the heat, and gradually whisk the egg yolk mixture into the reduced stock until the sauce thickens. Whisk in tarragon. Serve sauce over the chicken and mushrooms.

DJEDJ MECHOUI (ALGERIAN POULET ROTI/ROAST CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 450°F.
• Place the chicken on a rack in a roasting pan and slide your fingers under the skin of the breast and thighs to loosen/separate it from the flesh.
• Mash the garlic with the salt, using a fork or a mortar and pestle.
• Work the garlic/salt paste into the butter and then work in the spices; using your fingers, spread the spiced butter into the cavities between the skin and the flesh of the chicken.
• Squeeze the juice of one lemon over the chicken; sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Season the cavity with salt and pepper and place the four lemon halves and the thyme inside.
• Roast the chicken breast side down for 15 minutes.
• Turn the chicken breast side up and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees.
• Baste frequently, using additional water and olive oil as needed.
• If the skin begins to brown too soon, cover with foil (but remove the foil about 15 minutes before the roasting time is up).
• The chicken should be done in about 90 minutes; the skin between the breasts and the legs should become almost transparent, the legs should move easily in the socket, and any juices should be clear.
• Let rest before carving.
• Strain excess fat out of the cooking juices and squeeze in some lemon juice for a lovely flavor.
• Note: Zari suggests serving with orange salads dressed with pomegranate vinaigrette and carrot salads dressed with lemon, cumin and olive oil.

POULET ROTI (ROAST CHICKEN) FOR THE CROCK POT

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the thyme, rosemary, minced garlic, pepper, salt and olive oil. With your hands, completely cover the chicken with the herb mixture. Get your fingers under the skin on the breast and add it there too.
• Roll up 3 or 4 pieces of tin foil into 3" balls and place in the bottom of the crock pot. Place chicken on top of foil balls and set crock pot to low. This ensures that the chicken cooks evenly and the juice drips off. Cook for 5 - 6 hours, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F.
• Remove chicken from pot and place in an ovenproof dish. Place chicken under the broiler in the oven until the skin is nicely browned. Remove from oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, pour all juices from the crock pot into a small saucepan. Add enough chicken stock to make approximately 2 cups total.
• Mix cornstarch into cold water and whisk together. Pour cornstarch mixture into the drippings and whisk well. Turn burner heat to medium and, stirring occasionally, bring to a low boil and remove from heat. Salt and pepper to taste.
• Cut chicken and serve with gravy.

RED WINE ROAST CHICKEN (POULET ROTI AU VIN ROUGE)

Steps:

• Mix together the wine, tomato paste, thyme, marjoram, and vinegar. Season the chicken with plenty of salt and pepper, then place in a resealable bag with the wine mixture. Shake the bag to make sure each piece is well coated. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight.
• Place the potatoes in a saucepan of cold water, cover, and bring to a boil. Boil for 1 to 2 minutes, then drain in a colander.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Arrange the onions, carrots, and cooked potatoes in a large baking dish or tray and pour in the water.
• Arrange the chicken pieces, skin-side up, in a layer on top of the vegetables in the dish. Pour the marinade over the chicken. Cover with a sheet of parchment or foil and roast for 30 minutes. Remove the parchment and baste the chicken with the cooking liquid. Roast, uncovered, for another 15 minutes, or until the skin is crisp. Serve immediately.

YASSA AU POULET II (CHICKEN YASSA)

Steps:

• In a large nonreactive bowl, prepare a marinade by mixing the lemon juice, onions, salt, pepper, minced chile, and 4 tablespoons of the peanut oil in a large bowl. Place the chicken pieces in the marinade, making sure that they are all well covered. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and allow the chicken to marinate for at least 3 hours in the refrigerator.
• Preheat the broiler. Remove the chicken pieces, reserving the marinade and onions, and place the chicken in a shallow pan. Broil the the chicken until it is lightly browned on both sides. Remove the onions from the marinade. Heat the remaining tablespoon of oil in a flameproof 5-quart casserole or Dutch oven and cook the onions slowly until tender and translucent. Add the reserved marinade. When the liquid is thoroughly heated, add the chicken pieces, pricked chile, olives, carrots, mustard, and water. When the dish has reached the desired degree of hotness, remove the chile and reserve (it can be served separately to the chile heads). Stir to mix well, then bring the yassa slowly to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through. Serve hot over white rice.

POULET RôTI (ROAST CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Rinse and pat chicken dry.
• If your chicken has a neck and giblets, put them in a small pot, cover with water and a little onion (dry onion or powder work too) and carrots if you have them and a little the same herbs used in the chicken, bring to a boil and then simmer for about an hour, strain this and use for your gravy for extra flavor - you can also cook in canned low sodium chicken broth, for more flavor.
• Mix together all your herbs and spices, rub together with your fingers or if you have a mortar and pestle, grind them a few times to blend.
• Gently lift the skin from either side of the breast and using your finger push some of the herb mix under each side.
• Turn over the chicken and make a small slit behind each thigh and push some herb mix under the thigh skin (this step is optional, but it makes the thighs extra tasty).
• Place you chicken in a roasting pan that has been sprayed or lightly oiled, if roasting a single chicken, a cast iron frying pan is perfect for this.
• If using the olive, rub or drizzle over the chicken then, rub or sprinkle extra herb mix all over the outside of the chicken (do this even without the oil, a little extra salt and pepper in the cavity is also a good thing.
• You have 2 options, #1 - turn the chicken breast side down on a rack that has also been sprayed or oiled, half way through cooking turn breast up; #2 - cook the entire time breast up, the breast skin usually tears for me so I do #2, but #1 can make the breast meat a little moister.
• Roast for 1- 11/2 hours or until chicken register 180 degrees on your meat thermometer (if you use a larger chicken adjust time accordingly), be sure and poke a thick part of the chicken meat and don't get too near the bone. Length of time will vary with chicken size.
• Check chicken at an hour, herbs and spice on top are getting too dark loosely tent top with a piece of foil (spray first).
• When done, place chicken on platter and let rest for 5- 10 minutes while you make the gravy. Drain off excess fat and make your gravy.
• NOTE: Some people like to tie the legs together with kitchen twine, it does look nicer but I never bother.
• I've been know to roast chicken anywhere from 375-450 degrees, 400- 425 is my norm, I decide what to use based on my schedule of when I need to put it in the oven. Lower temp mean slightly longer cooking time.

GRATINEED CHICKEN IN CREAM SAUCE (POULET à LA FERMIERE)

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat butter in a 12-inch ovenproof deep heavy sauté pan over moderately high heat until foam subsides, then brown chicken all over, in batches if necessary, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a plate and cover. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pan.
• Tie parsley, thyme, and bay leaf in cheesecloth to make a bouquet garni, then add to pan with carrots and onions, stirring to coat with fat. Add wine and deglaze by boiling over high heat, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 minutes. Add broth and chicken, skin sides up, with any juices from plate, and simmer, covered, 10 minutes. Add potatoes and salt and pepper to taste and simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through and potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Preheat broiler.
• Discard bouquet garni. Stir in crème fraîche, peas, and salt and pepper to taste, then turn chicken in sauce to coat. Sprinkle dish all over with Gruyère and broil 4 to 5 inches from heat until browned and sauce is bubbling, 3 to 4 minutes.

CHICKEN FRIAND (TOURTE AU POULET ET CHAMPIGNONS)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375. Season chicken with salt and pepper. In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in 2 T butter. Cook chicken until done, about 7-9 minutes. Remove chicken from pan and allow to cool. Pour out any chicken juices for later use.
• To pan, add in 2 T butter. Sauté mushrooms until they give off their liquid and it evaporates. Stir frequently. Toss in 1/2 teaspoon of herbs de Provence and sauté "until fragrant," or about 1 minute. Add ½ cup wine and cook until it evaporates. In the meantime, chop chicken into bite-size chucks. When done, transfer mushrooms to a small bowl.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter and onion to pan. Sauté until soft. Stir in garlic and remaining herbs de Provence, cook about 45 seconds. Whisk flour into pan to make a quick roux, about 3 minutes.
• Top off leftover chicken juices with broth as needed, for 1 cup. Gradually whisk in broth mixture and remaining wine. Stir in mushrooms and warm through. Stir in cream. If the sauce is too thick, add more wine. Taste, season with salt and pepper.
• Take sheet of thawed puff pastry and lay it out on a baking sheet with parchment paper sprinkled with flour. Cut pastry diagonally into two large triangles. Spoon about 1/4 cup chicken and ¼ mushroom mixture onto each halves of the pastry. Fold and pinch to make a large triangle friands. Brush tops with an egg wash. Bake friands in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 30 minutes or until they're golden on top.
• Carefully remove friands from parchment. One half of one triangle is one serving. Top with additional mushroom mixture.

FRICASSéE DE POULET (CHICKEN FRICASSEE)

Steps:

• 1. Over a medium heat; melt butter and olive oil in a dutch oven or other large skillet. Add onions and garlic and cook for 5 minutes, stirring ocassionally.
• 2. Add chicken; brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper.
• 3. Sprinkle the top of the chicken with the flour; stir for 1 minute, thoroughly coating the chicken with the flour.
• 4. Stir in the water and wine; add prepared mushrooms, carrots and tarragon. Bring to a low boil, cover and simmer on medium low heat for 15 minutes or just until the vegetables are tender.
• 5. Turn off the heat; stir in the crème fraîche or whipping cream. Serve hot.

POULET EN COCOTTE (CHICKEN IN A POT)

Steps:

• 1. For the Brine Place the salt and sugar into a bowl large enough to contain the water/wine and the chicken, and can fit into your refrigerator. Mix until all of the ingredients are absorbed into the water. Immerse the chicken into the brine, and place the bowl into the refrigerator for about three hours.
• 2. Chef's Note: What is brining? Brining meats before cooking them is a very effective way to increase the moisture and tenderness of the meat. Brining is similar to marinating, but uses a simpler liquid for soaking the meat. The process of soaking meat in salted water causes the meat's cells to absorb some of the water through osmosis, making it moister when cooked. What about that sugar? Sugar, while not essential to a brine, is a useful ingredient. Adding sugar to a brine will increase the amount of caramelization achieved when cooking the chicken. A good rule of thumb is to add the same amount of sugar by volume as salt. Kosher versus Table Salt When it come to brining, kosher and table salt to about the same thing... So why the difference in measurement? Well, kosher salt has a larger grain than table salt, so there is more air between the salt particles. When you use 1 cup of kosher salt, or 1/2 cut of table salt, you're basically getting the same amount of salt.
• 3. Adjust oven rack to lowest position and heat oven to 250f (120c).
• 4. Remove the chicken from the brine, and pat dry with paper towels, or a clean kitchen towel, and then season with some salt and pepper. Chef's Note: If you're using a kitchen towel (my method) make sure that you immediately throw that towel into the wash, and don't use it for anything else.
• 5. Heat the oil in a large dutch oven, over medium heat, until the oil just begins to shimmer, and throws off wisps of smoke.
• 6. Place the chicken, breast-side up in the dutch oven, and scatter onion, celery, and bay leaf around the chicken.
• 7. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are browned... As well as the bottom of the chicken. This should take from 8 to 10 minutes.
• 8. Place the lid on the dutch oven, and put in the preheated oven, and bake until an instant-read thermometer hits 160f (71c) when inserted into the thickest part of the breast. This should take from 80 to 110 minutes. Chef's Note: Make sure that the probe is not hitting any bone.
• 9. Transfer chicken to carving board, tent loosely with foil, and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Chef's Note: Allowing the chicken to rest will help to redistribute the juices that have been hiding out inside the chicken.
• 10. While the chicken is resting... Strain the chicken juices from the dutch oven through a strainer into a fat separator Press on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids, and that should leave you about 1cup of liquid. Allow liquid to settle about 5 minutes, then remove the fat from the liquid, and then pour into a small saucepan. Set saucepan over low heat, and allow to slowly simmer for about 10 minutes. Chef's Note: Since the chicken is resting for 20 minutes, this should give you ample time to de-fat and simmer the chicken juices. Chef's Note: This is a simple dish, so these juices are not, technically, defined as a sauce... they are just warmed up juices from the chicken, but OH are they packed with flavor.
• 11. Carve the chicken, and serve with the a jus (juices), at the table.
• 12. Serving Suggestions: This is just the main course. You can serve this dish with any number of sides. How about some long-grain white rice, or some smashed golden potatoes. I've made this for clients by using a bed of cheesy garlic mashed potatoes, placed the carved chicken on top, and then drizzled some of the a jus over the top. For a veggie, I might use garden fresh green beans, or maybe some steamed broccoli. Enjoy Keep the faith, and keep cooking...

CHICKEN FRICASSEE (FRICASSéE DE POULET)

Steps:

• Melt the butter and olive oil together in a Dutch oven or other heavy large skillet on medium heat.
• Add the chopped onion and crushed garlic and cook for five minutes stirring occasionally.
• Add the chicken and brown on all sides - about ten minutes.
• Stir in salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle the top of the chicken with the flour and stir for 1 minute, thoroughly coating the chicken with the flour.
• Stir in the water and wine and then the prepared mushrooms, carrots, and tarragon.
• Bring to a low boil, cover and simmer on medium low heat for 15 minutes or just until the vegetables are cooked as you like them.
• Taste and adjust seasonings, if you wish.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the crème fraîche.
• Serve hot.

POULET A L'ESTRAGON (CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON)

Steps:

• Remove the giblets from the chicken, and reserve them for another use. Place the chicken in a bowl or sink, and pour the boiling water over it. This French trick tightens the skin of the bird, which in turn seals in the flavor better. Dry the chicken with paper towels.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
• Blend the softened butter with half the tarragon and a little salt and pepper. Place the herb butter in the cavity of the chicken, then place the chicken in a cast-iron casserole, pour the wine over it, cover, and roast for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until it is cooked through.
• Transfer the chicken to a hot serving dish. Stir the beurre manie into juices in the casserole, and cook for 1 minute. Add the cream and the remaining tarragon, and cook, stirring, until the sauce has thickened. Pour the sauce over or around chicken, and serve immediately.

POULET ROTI TOUT SIMPLE (SIMPLE ROAST CHICKEN)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the thyme, garlic and bay leaf. Do not truss the chicken. Place the chicken in a Pyrex baking dish, breast side up. Distribute onions, tomatoes and margarine or butter and oil around and on top of the chicken. Add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
• Roast the chicken in the preheated oven for 45 minutes or so, basting every now and then.
• Turn the bird breast side down. Add the potatoes and mix well with the juices in the pan. Add more margarine or butter - 1 or 2 ounces, if necessary. Lower the heat to 350 degrees. Cook another 45 minutes, basting occasionally. Serve. The skin should be very, very crisp. The chicken may be garnished with the potatoes.