Émincés de Poulet is a classic French dish featuring tender, thinly sliced chicken cooked in a rich, creamy sauce with aromatic herbs and a touch of wine. This elegant yet simple dish is perfect for a comforting weeknight meal or a sophisticated dinner party. Serve it with rice, pasta, or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Rich and creamy French-style sauce
- Elegant yet easy enough for a weeknight meal
- Customizable with different herbs, mushrooms, or mustard
- Pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or potatoes
- A one-pan dish that’s full of flavor
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Chicken breasts (thinly sliced into strips)
- Butter
- Olive oil
- Shallots (finely chopped)
- Garlic (minced)
- White wine (dry, such as Sauvignon Blanc)
- Chicken broth
- Heavy cream
- Dijon mustard (optional, for extra depth)
- Fresh thyme (or dried)
- Salt and black pepper
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Directions
- Prepare the chicken: Thinly slice the chicken breasts into strips. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté the chicken strips for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and set aside.
- Sauté the aromatics: In the same pan, add the shallots and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Deglaze with wine: Pour in the white wine, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any browned bits. Let it simmer for 2 minutes until slightly reduced.
- Make the sauce: Add chicken broth, heavy cream, Dijon mustard (if using), and thyme. Stir well and let simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Return the chicken: Add the cooked chicken back to the pan and simmer for another 2-3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm with rice, pasta, or crusty bread.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
Variations
- Mushroom Addition: Sauté sliced mushrooms with the shallots for extra depth.
- Lighter Version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Lemon Twist: Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for brightness.
- Herb Swap: Try tarragon instead of thyme for a more traditional French flavor.
- Spicy Kick: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for subtle heat.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigeration: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
- Reheating: Warm gently in a pan over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to maintain the sauce’s texture.
FAQs
What does “émincé” mean?
Émincé refers to thinly sliced meat, making it cook faster and absorb flavors better.
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Yes! Chicken thighs add extra juiciness and work just as well in this dish.
Is white wine necessary?
Wine enhances the sauce, but you can substitute with extra chicken broth if needed.
Can I make this dish ahead of time?
Yes! Reheat gently and add a little extra cream or broth to refresh the sauce.
What side dishes go well with this?
Serve it with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or a fresh baguette.
Can I use milk instead of cream?
Milk works, but the sauce will be thinner. Use cornstarch to thicken if needed.
How do I make this dairy-free?
Use coconut cream instead of heavy cream and olive oil instead of butter.
What herbs work best in this dish?
Thyme, tarragon, or a mix of Provence herbs complement the flavors well.
Can I add vegetables?
Yes! Mushrooms, spinach, or asparagus make great additions.
Is this dish gluten-free?
Yes, as long as you use gluten-free broth and mustard.
Conclusion
Émincés de Poulet is a simple yet refined dish that brings classic French flavors to your table. With its creamy sauce, aromatic herbs, and tender chicken, it’s perfect for a cozy dinner or an elegant gathering. Try it today for a taste of French comfort food at home!
Print
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Description
This Émincés de Poulet is a rich and creamy French-inspired chicken dish made with tender chicken strips, crispy bacon, and mushrooms in a luscious white wine and cream sauce. Perfect for a gourmet meal at home, this dish pairs beautifully with rice, pasta, or mashed potatoes.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2 large chicken breasts, cut into thin strips
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
For the Sauce:
- 4 slices bacon, chopped
- 1/2 cup mushrooms, sliced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup white wine (or chicken broth)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp thyme (dried or fresh)
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the Chicken:
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a pan over medium heat.
- Season chicken strips with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Sauté chicken for 3-4 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same pan, cook chopped bacon until crispy. Remove and set aside.
- Add 1 tbsp butter, then sauté mushrooms and onions until soft.
- Stir in minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Pour in white wine (or broth) and let it simmer for 2 minutes, scraping the browned bits from the pan.
- Finish the Dish:
- Stir in heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and thyme. Simmer for 5 minutes until thickened.
- Return the chicken and bacon to the pan, stirring to coat in the sauce.
- Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.
Notes
- Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or buttered noodles.
- For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
- Add a squeeze of lemon juice for a fresh, tangy twist.
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