Easy & Delicious Chicken Marengo Recipe – A Classic Joy Of Cooking

Joy of Cooking’s chicken marengo transports hungry souls to a culinary landscape where rustic elegance meets hearty comfort.

French-inspired recipes often spark imagination with their sophisticated yet approachable techniques.

Classic dishes like this carry whispers of historical culinary adventures, rooted in napoleonic legend.

Savory ingredients blend harmoniously, creating layers of deep, complex flavors that dance across your palate.

Skilled home cooks appreciate how simple components transform into something extraordinary through careful preparation and patient simmering.

Fragrant herbs and carefully selected ingredients collaborate to elevate this traditional meal beyond mere sustenance.

The magic happens when quality elements merge under gentle heat, releasing aromas that promise memorable dining moments: dive in and savor every bite!

How To Cook Chicken Marengo

Step 1: Prepare and Season the Chicken

Grab your chicken pieces and sprinkle them generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Make sure each piece gets a delicious coating of seasoning.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

• Butter
• Olive oil

Place chicken pieces in the sizzling pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side until they develop a gorgeous golden-brown crust. Remove chicken and set aside on a plate.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Vegetables

• Sliced mushrooms
• Medium onion, chopped
• Garlic cloves, minced

Sauté until onions become translucent and mushrooms release their delicious moisture, about 5-6 minutes.

Step 4: Create Herb-Infused Base

• Bay leaf
• Sprigs fresh thyme (or dried thyme)

Stir everything together to blend the flavors.

Step 5: Deglaze with White Wine

Pour dry white wine into the skillet. Bring to a quick boil, then reduce heat and let simmer for 3-4 minutes, allowing the wine to reduce slightly.

Step 6: Add Tomato Goodness

• Cubed tomatoes
• Tomato paste

Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the tomato paste.

Step 7: Pour in Chicken Broth

Add chicken broth to the skillet, ensuring the chicken is mostly submerged in the liquid.

Step 8: Slow Cook to Perfection

Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat for 30-35 minutes. The chicken should become incredibly tender and absorb all the rich flavors.

Step 9: Final Touch and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed. Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top for a burst of color and freshness. Serve hot!

Practical Advice For Chicken Marengo

• Savor Herb Harmony: Dried herbs pack a punch, so use less. Fresh herbs sing with vibrant flavor, transforming the entire dish into a culinary masterpiece.
• Rescue Sauce Secrets: Too thick? Splash in chicken broth. Too thin? Let it simmer uncovered, watching it reduce and concentrate its delicious essence.
• Rest and Reunite Flavors: Letting chicken relax in warm sauce helps ingredients mingle, creating a more unified and deeper taste experience.
• Master Browning Techniques: Completely dry chicken before searing. Keep pan spacious to avoid steaming. Golden exterior means maximum flavor development.
• Garnish with Green Glory: Sprinkle fresh parsley like confetti, adding brightness and a final burst of freshness that elevates the entire dish.

Tips For Storing Chicken Marengo

• Vacuum Seal: Package the cooled Chicken Marengo in vacuum-sealed bags to lock in freshness and prevent freezer burn. Strip out excess air completely, which helps maintain the dish's original flavor and texture for up to 4 months. Professional chefs recommend this method for preserving delicate sauces and tender chicken pieces.
• Portion and Freeze: Divide the Chicken Marengo into individual serving sizes before freezing. Use sturdy, leak-proof containers with tight-fitting lids to prevent freezer odors from seeping in. Label each container with the date and contents to track storage time and maintain easy meal planning.
• Glass Container Storage: Transfer the cooled Chicken Marengo to high-quality glass containers with airtight seals. Glass prevents flavor absorption and allows easy microwave reheating.

Fun Variations On Chicken Marengo

• Rustic Mediterranean Fusion: Replace white wine with red wine and add kalamata olives and feta cheese for a Greek-inspired version. Sprinkle oregano and serve with crusty bread.
• Spicy Creole Chicken: Incorporate Cajun seasoning, bell peppers, and use hot sauce instead of tomato paste. Add andouille sausage for extra flavor and heat.
• Herb Garden Chicken: Swap thyme with fresh rosemary and add sage leaves. Include roasted garlic cloves and finish with a splash of heavy cream for a richer sauce. Top with fresh basil before serving.
• Light Provençal Edition: Use less butter, replace olive oil with herb-infused olive oil, and add lavender and herbes de Provence. Include zucchini and reduce cooking time for a lighter, fresher profile.

Parting Thoughts On Chicken Marengo

Chicken Marengo whispers tales of Napoleonic culinary history, blending rustic French countryside flavors with elegant simplicity.

Mediterranean ingredients dance together, creating a harmonious symphony of taste and tradition.

Napoleon’s favorite battlefield dish transforms into a comforting home-cooked masterpiece that connects generations through its rich narrative.

Mushrooms, herbs, and tender chicken merge into an unforgettable gastronomic experience that transcends mere sustenance.

Fragrant white wine and ripe tomatoes elevate this classic recipe from ordinary to extraordinary.

Passionate cooks can craft this legendary dish, honoring its storied past while creating delicious memories – so grab those ingredients, share the recipe, tell your culinary friends, and spread the delectable magic of Chicken Marengo!

Experience The Hearty Flavor Of Chicken Marengo

• Savor Rich Flavor Layers: This chicken marengo delivers a complex taste profile with golden-browned chicken, caramelized mushrooms, and deep wine-infused sauce that creates robust, mouth-watering dimensions of flavor in every bite.
• Enjoy Effortless Cooking Method: The one-pan technique makes preparation simple and cleanup easy, allowing home cooks to create a restaurant-quality meal without complicated steps or multiple cooking vessels.
• Experience Comforting Texture Harmony: Tender chicken pieces nestled in a silky sauce with soft mushrooms provide a delightful combination of textures that feels simultaneously rustic and elegant, perfect for satisfying comfort food cravings.

Key Ingredients For Chicken Marengo

• Chicken Pieces: Classic protein choice with delicate flavor, bone-in or skinless options work well.

• Butter, Olive Oil: Rich base for sautéing that adds depth and prevents sticking.

• Onion, Garlic, Mushrooms: Foundational flavor builders that create a robust and hearty base.
• Bay Leaf, Thyme: Classic herb combination that provides subtle earthy and herbal undertones.

• Dry White Wine: Creates complex flavor profile and helps tenderize the chicken.
• Chicken Broth: Provides moisture and additional savory depth to the sauce.

• Cubed Tomatoes: Fresh component that adds bright, slightly acidic flavor.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato product that thickens and enriches the sauce.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential for enhancing and balancing overall dish flavors.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds fresh color and light herbal note.

Joy Of Cooking Chicken Marengo Recipe

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4.5 from 38 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

French soldiers’ favorite battlefield dish comes alive with tender chicken, rich tomato sauce, and classic Mediterranean ingredients. Napoleonic history meets culinary elegance in this hearty skillet meal you’ll savor with rustic charm.

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Ingredients

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Proteins:

• 1 (13-pound/5.9-kilogram) chicken, cut into serving pieces

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ½ teaspoon finely minced garlic
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme or ½ teaspoon dried

Vegetables and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1½ cups (0.5 pounds/226 grams) thinly sliced mushrooms
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 2 cups cored and cubed red ripe tomatoes, or canned tomatoes
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley

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Instructions

1. Generously coat chicken pieces with salt and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring even seasoning across all surfaces.
2. Heat a combination of butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high temperature until the fat shimmers and becomes fragrant.
3. Carefully place seasoned chicken into the hot skillet, allowing each piece to develop a rich, golden-brown exterior by cooking undisturbed for 3-4 minutes per side.
4. Transfer the browned chicken to a clean plate, keeping the delicious pan drippings intact.
5. In the same skillet, introduce sliced mushrooms, finely chopped onions, and minced garlic, sautéing until the vegetables become soft and release their aromatic flavors.
6. Reintroduce the chicken to the skillet, nestling the pieces among the sautéed vegetables.
7. Add bay leaf and thyme sprigs, gently stirring to distribute the herbs throughout the dish.
8. Deglaze the pan with dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to intensify the flavor profile.
9. Allow the wine to reduce by half, concentrating its essence and creating a more robust sauce.
10. Incorporate cubed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring thoroughly to ensure a uniform distribution of the tomato elements.
11. Pour in chicken broth, submerging the chicken pieces about three-quarters of the way in the liquid.
12. Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and let the dish simmer gently for 25-35 minutes, or until the chicken becomes fork-tender and fully cooked.
13. Taste and fine-tune the seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as needed.
14. Finish the dish by scattering fresh parsley sprigs over the top, adding a vibrant touch of color and fresh herbaceous flavor before serving.

Notes

• Rest your cooked chicken in the sauce, letting flavors dance and mingle before serving, creating a harmonious culinary experience.
• Sprinkle fresh parsley at the end, transforming the dish with a vibrant, herbal pop that cuts through the rich sauce.
• When your sauce looks too thick, splash in extra chicken broth; conversely, let it simmer uncovered to reduce if it’s too thin.
• Dried herbs pack more punch than fresh, so use them carefully and sparingly to avoid overwhelming the delicate chicken flavors.
• Slowly caramelize onions, garlic, and mushrooms, building a flavor foundation that will elevate the entire dish from good to spectacular.
• Ensure chicken surfaces are completely dry before browning to achieve that irresistible golden crust that seals in juiciness and creates incredible texture.

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing, Simmering
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg