Chicken chasseur
Chicken chasseur is the classic French dish that's easy but good enough to give to guests. Serve it with creamy mash and a crisp green salad.
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1 x 1.5kg/3lb 5oz chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 50g/2oz plain flour
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 115g/4oz butter
- 110g/4oz smoked streaky bacon, sliced into lardons
- 150²µ/5½´Ç³ú button mushrooms
- 150²µ/5½´Ç³ú shallots or onions, thickly sliced
- 55g/2oz caster sugar
- 175ml/6fl oz white wine
- 300ml/10fl oz chicken stock
- 2 tbsp tomato purée
- 2 tbsp tarragon, finely chopped
- 2 tomatoes, skinned, seeded and chopped
- 4 tbsp flat leaf parsley, finely chopped
For the mash
- 1 kg/2lb 4oz floury potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
- 115g/4oz butter
- 125ml/4fl oz full-fat milk
Method
Season the chicken with salt and freshly ground black pepper then toss in the flour to coat.
Heat a large frying pan until hot, add the oil and half the butter then fry the chicken pieces, skin side down, for 1-2 minutes until golden-brown. Turn the chicken and fry on the other side for another 1-2 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat a frying pan until hot, add the remaining butter and fry the bacon and button mushrooms until they are golden-brown. Add the shallots and caster sugar and fry for 2-3 minutes until golden and caramelised.
Add the wine and bring it to a simmer, stirring to deglaze the pan, then pour the bacon and mushroom mixture over the chicken. Add the stock, tomato purée and tarragon to the chicken and bring to the boil.
Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 30-40 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the liquid slightly reduced.
Meanwhile, for the mash, place the potatoes into a pan of salted water and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 12-15 minutes until the potatoes are tender.
Drain the potatoes and return them to the pan, then place the pan on the heat for one minute to steam off any excess moisture.
Mash the potatoes well, then add the butter and milk, beating to form a smooth mash. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
When the chicken is cooked, add the tomatoes and flat leaf parsley, check the seasoning then simmer for a further two minutes before serving.
Serve two pieces of chicken per person with the sauce spooned over and a dollop of mash alongside.