Chicken Provencal recipe is easy and elegant! Chicken legs, seasoned with aromatic Herbs de Provence, are cooked with cherry tomatoes, olives, garlic, and shallots until they are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It's an easy recipe that's perfect for a weeknight meal, yet sophisticated enough to serve to your guests for a special occasion.
What is Chicken Provençal?
Chicken Provençal is a classic French dish that originated in the Provence region of southeastern France. It typically consists of chicken pieces (often thighs and legs) that are seasoned with Herbs de Provence (a blend of herbs that typically includes rosemary, thyme, oregano, and savory) and then braised in a mixture of white wine, garlic, tomatoes, olives, and sometimes shallots. It is often served with crusty bread or over a bed of pasta or rice.
Tips
Here are some recipe tips for making Chicken Provencal Recipe:
- Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces for the best flavor and juiciness.
- Season the chicken generously with salt, pepper, and Herbs de Provence for maximum flavor.
- Don't skimp on the garlic and herbs - they're key to the dish's signature flavor.
- Use fresh cherry tomatoes and olives for the best flavor and texture.
- For a more decadent version, you can add a splash of heavy cream or some butter at the end of cooking to thicken the sauce and add richness.
- Serve the dish with crusty bread or over a bed of pasta or rice to soak up the flavorful sauce.
You'll Need
- Chicken: Use bone-in, skin-on chicken pieces such as thighs or legs for the most flavor and juiciness. You can also use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, but they may not be as flavorful.
- Flour: It helps to create a crispy crust on the chicken and also thickens the sauce slightly.
- Herbs de Provence: This is a blend of dried herbs that typically includes rosemary, thyme, oregano, and savory. You can find it in the spice aisle of most grocery stores or make your own blend at home.
- Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes are best for this dish, but you can also use regular tomatoes.
- Olives: Green olives are the traditional choice for Chicken Provençal, but you can use black olives if you prefer.
- Garlic: Use fresh garlic cloves for the best flavor.
- Shallots: These mild, sweet onions add a subtle depth of flavor to the dish. If you can't find shallots, you can use regular onions instead.
- Lemon: It helps to brighten up the flavors of the dish.
- Chicken broth: Use low-sodium chicken broth for the best flavor and to control the saltiness of the dish. If you prefer to use wine instead of chicken broth, choose a dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio for the best flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Season the chicken and sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Olive oil: Use a high-quality olive oil for the best results.
How to Make Chicken Provencial
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Then, season the chicken with salt and pepper. Take a shallow bowl and put some flour in it. Lightly coat the chicken with the flour and shake off any excess. This will help create a nice crispy coating on the chicken when it's cooked.
- Next, swirl some oil in a large roasting pan. Place the chicken in the pan and season it with Herbes de Provence. Arrange the lemon, garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes, green olives, and shallots around the chicken in the same pan.
- Roast the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes. After that, baste the chicken with the pan juices. This will help ensure that the chicken stays moist and tender. Continue roasting for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is crisp and cooked through. Once it's done, take it out of the oven and let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use chicken breasts instead of chicken thighs in this Chicken Provencal recipe. Keep in mind that chicken breasts may cook faster than chicken thighs, so adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Herbs de Provence is a blend of herbs typically used in French cuisine. It usually includes thyme, rosemary, oregano, marjoram, and savory.
Yes, you can make Chicken Provencal in a slow cooker. Simply place the chicken and sauce ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, or on high for 3-4 hours.
Yes, you can make Chicken Provencal ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator or freezer until you're ready to eat it.
Chicken Provencal is typically served with crusty bread or a side of pasta or rice. You can also serve it with a side salad or roasted vegetables.
Storage
Let it cool down to room temperature and transfer it to an airtight container. You can keep it in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. If you need to store it for longer than that, you can freeze it for up to 3 months.
Reheating
Reheat in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally until it's heated through. You can also reheat it in the microwave in a microwave-safe dish, using short intervals and stirring occasionally until it's heated through.
Other Delicious Chicken Recipes
Panda Express Teriyaki Chicken
Panda Express Mushroom Chicken
Air Fryer Sweet and Sour Chicken
If you make this recipe be sure to leave a comment or give this recipe a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐! I will be happy to hear from you!
Chicken Provencal Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in skin-on chicken legs
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons herbes de Provence
- 1 lemon quartered
- 20 gloves of garlic
- 6-8 medium-size shallots peeled and halved
- 3 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup green olives
- 1 cup chicken broth or dry white wine
- 4 sprigs of thyme for serving
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Take a shallow bowl and put flour in it. Lightly coat the chicken with the flour and shake off any excess.
- Swirl some oil in a large roasting pan. Place the chicken in the pan and season it with herbes de Provence. Arrange the lemon, garlic cloves, cherry tomatoes, green olives and shallots around the chicken in the same pan. Then, pour the chicken broth over everything.
- Place the pan in the oven and roast the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes. Then, baste the chicken with the pan juices. Continue roasting for another 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is crisp and cooked through.
- Garnish with sprigs of thyme.
- Serve it with crusty bread, over a bed of rice, polenta, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
Nutrition
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Daniel says
This was a restaurant-quality dish at home! The flavors were rich and comforting, and it made my kitchen smell amazing. Will be making again!
Tatiana says
Wow, Daniel, that’s such a compliment! So glad you loved it. Thanks for your kind words!