Easy Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic Recipe

Julia Child’s chicken with 40 cloves of garlic transforms ordinary poultry into an aromatic culinary masterpiece that tantalizes taste buds.

Warm kitchens buzz with anticipation when this classic recipe begins to simmer.

Fragrant garlic mellows into delicate, buttery notes that melt seamlessly into tender meat.

French countryside cooking inspires this rustic yet elegant dish that elevates home cooking to an art form.

Slow-roasted techniques concentrate incredible depths of savory complexity, creating a sensory experience beyond typical weeknight meals.

Each golden-brown bite promises a harmonious blend of robust herbs and caramelized allium magic.

Creamy, spreadable garlic cloves invite you to savor every luxurious moment: bring this recipe to life.

Delight In The Aromatic Magic Of Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

• Transform Garlic's Reputation: This recipe turns humble garlic from a mere seasoning into the star of the show, roasting 40 cloves until they become sweet, mellow, and spreadable treasures that melt in your mouth.
• Master a Classic French Technique: Julia Child's method transforms everyday ingredients into an elegant dish, teaching home cooks how to perfectly sear chicken, create a silky sauce, and develop deep, complex flavors with simple steps.
• Unlock Incredible Flavor Transformation: Boiling garlic cloves before roasting removes their sharp bite, creating a luxurious, creamy texture that becomes incredibly smooth and rich when cooked slowly with butter and herbs, delivering a restaurant-quality meal right in your kitchen.

Essential Ingredients For Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

• Chicken: Protein main ingredient with rich flavor, prefer whole chicken or chicken pieces with skin for better taste and juiciness.

• Garlic Cloves, Fresh Thyme, Bay Leaf: Aromatic ingredients that provide deep, complex flavor profile and create signature essence of the dish.

• Butter, Vegetable Oil: Provide rich cooking medium and help develop golden-brown chicken skin.
• White Wine: Adds acidity and depth to sauce, helps deglaze pan and create flavorful base.
• Chicken Broth: Creates smooth, silky sauce with balanced consistency.

• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance overall chicken flavor.
• Cornstarch: Helps thicken sauce and create glossy, smooth texture.

• Baguette: Perfect for spreading soft roasted garlic and soaking up delicious sauce.
• French Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes: Optional side dishes to complete meal.

How To Prepare Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

Step 1: Prepare Garlic Blanching

Separate garlic cloves while keeping skin intact. Fill small saucepan with water and bring to boil. Drop garlic cloves into boiling water for 1 minute. Drain immediately and let cool slightly. Gently peel each clove, creating soft, tender garlic ready for cooking.

Step 2: Season Chicken Perfectly

• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

Ensure both sides are evenly coated for maximum flavor absorption.

Step 3: Sear Chicken Beautifully

• Butter
• Vegetable oil

Place chicken skin-side down, searing for 5 minutes until golden brown. Flip and cook additional 3 minutes, creating delicious crispy exterior.

Step 4: Add Aromatic Herbs

Scatter peeled garlic cloves around chicken. Sprinkle fresh thyme and place 1 bay leaf into skillet, infusing rich herbal essence.

Step 5: Slow Cook Chicken

Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover skillet and cook 15-20 minutes until chicken reaches 165°F internal temperature. Remove chicken and garlic, covering with foil. Discard bay leaf.

Step 6: Create Silky Sauce

Increase heat to medium-high. Pour white wine, simmering 5 minutes until reduced by half. Whisk cornstarch into chicken broth. Pour mixture into skillet, stirring constantly for 2-3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.

Step 7: Finish With Buttery Goodness

Remove skillet from heat. Stir remaining butter until melted and sauce becomes glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Step 8: Serve Deliciously

Arrange chicken and garlic on serving platter. Drizzle sauce generously. Serve alongside warm baguette, French green beans, or creamy mashed potatoes for complete, mouthwatering meal.

Practical Advice For Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

• Crush Garlic Swiftly: Smack cloves with the flat side of a knife to quickly remove skins without boiling.
• Control Wine's Magic: Swirl and watch closely as wine reduces, letting its complex flavors concentrate and transform the sauce.
• Boost Chicken's Richness: Select dark meat cuts like thighs for deeper flavor and guaranteed juiciness during slow cooking.
• Melt Butter Strategically: Add cold butter in small cubes off the heat, stirring gently to create a silky, glossy sauce texture.
• Rest Meat Wisely: Place cooked chicken on a warm plate, covering loosely with foil to retain heat and redistribute internal juices.

Tips For Preserving The Freshness Of Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

• Freeze in Flavor Pods: Portion leftover chicken with garlic into individual airtight containers or freezer bags. Press out excess air, label with date, and store flat to maximize freezer space. These compact packages preserve the rich, aromatic essence for up to 3 months, ensuring easy future meals.
• Revive Moisture Technique: Reheat gently in a covered skillet with a splash of chicken stock or white wine. Drizzle liquid over chicken, cover with lid, and warm on low heat. This method prevents drying, restores tenderness, and reactivates the garlic's deep, complex flavors.
• Smart Fridge Storage: Transfer chicken to a glass container with a tight-sealing lid. Place a paper towel underneath to absorb moisture and prevent sogginess.

Creative Twists On Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

• Rustic Mediterranean Herb Infusion: Replace thyme with rosemary and oregano, adding a bold Mediterranean flavor profile. Incorporate chopped kalamata olives and sun-dried tomatoes during the final sauce preparation for extra depth.
• Spicy Cajun Garlic Roast: Season chicken with Cajun spice blend instead of simple salt and pepper. Add andouille sausage chunks alongside garlic cloves for a robust, spicy New Orleans-inspired version.
• Creamy White Wine Garlic Chicken: Substitute chicken broth with heavy cream in the sauce. Incorporate grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley for a richer, more indulgent finish. Reduce wine to enhance the creamy texture.
• Herb-Crusted Provençal Style: Create a herb crust by mixing breadcrumbs with dried herbs like herbes de Provence. Coat chicken before searing to develop a crispy, aromatic exterior that complements the soft roasted garlic.

Parting Thoughts On Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic

Culinary magic emerges from Julia Child’s legendary garlic chicken, a French classic that whispers comfort and sophistication.

Garlic-infused techniques transport palates to Parisian kitchens with remarkable depth and warmth.

Succulent chicken bathes in a silky sauce that celebrates each nuanced flavor profile.

Mediterranean influences dance through this timeless recipe, connecting generations of home cooks.

Passionate chefs discover remarkable complexity within seemingly simple ingredients.

Readers who crave authentic French cuisine will devour this recipe, share its delightful narrative across social platforms, and spark conversation about classic cooking traditions that transcend mere sustenance.

Julia Child Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic Recipe

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4.9 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic French chicken celebrates garlic’s rich, mellow magic from Julia Child’s legendary recipe. Tender meat bathed in silky, caramelized garlic sauce promises a comforting Parisian-style dinner you’ll savor with pure culinary joy.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Proteins:

• 6 to 8 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Aromatics and Herbs:

• 3 heads (about 40 cloves) garlic
• 6 sprigs fresh thyme (or 0.5 teaspoon dried thyme)
• 1 bay leaf

Liquids and Seasonings:

• 4 tablespoons (0.5 stick or 57 grams) butter, divided
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) vegetable oil
• 0.5 cup (120 milliliters) dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay)
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) low-sodium chicken broth
• 3.5 teaspoons cornstarch
• Salt and black pepper, to taste

Serving Suggestions:

• Crusty French baguette (for spreading roasted garlic)
• Steamed French green beans or mashed potatoes (optional)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously separate unpeeled garlic cloves and immerse them in boiling water for precisely 60 seconds. Quickly drain and allow to cool momentarily before gently removing papery skins.
2. Using clean paper towels, thoroughly pat chicken pieces until completely dry. Liberally season both surfaces with coarse sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Warm a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium temperature. Combine 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter with vegetable oil. Once fat shimmers, carefully place chicken skin-side down, creating a golden-brown crust for 5 minutes.
4. Flip chicken and sear alternate side for additional 3 minutes, ensuring even caramelization. Distribute roasted garlic cloves surrounding protein.
5. Gently nestle fresh thyme sprigs and single bay leaf around chicken pieces. Reduce heat to medium-low, covering skillet to create steamy environment.
6. Allow chicken to simmer for 15-20 minutes, monitoring internal temperature until reaching 165°F (74°C). Confirm doneness by checking clear meat juices.
7. Transfer chicken and roasted garlic to warm platter, tenting with aluminum foil. Discard bay leaf and thyme stems.
8. Elevate skillet temperature to medium-high. Deglaze pan with white wine, allowing liquid to reduce by half while scraping browned fragments.
9. Whisk cornstarch into chicken broth until smooth. Gradually pour mixture into skillet, stirring continuously to prevent lumps and achieve silky consistency.
10. Remove from heat, incorporating remaining 2 tablespoons (28 grams) butter until sauce becomes glossy. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt or pepper as desired.
11. Artfully arrange chicken and caramelized garlic on serving dish. Cascade luxurious sauce over protein, garnishing with fresh thyme leaves.
12. Accompany with crusty baguette and choice of French green beans or creamy mashed potatoes for a complete, sophisticated meal.

Notes

• Choose high-quality chicken for the best taste experience.
• Bone-in, skin-on pieces deliver maximum flavor and juiciness.
• Crispy skin adds delightful texture to the finished dish.
• Bone marrow contributes incredible depth to the sauce.
• Gentle simmering transforms tough meat into melt-in-your-mouth tenderness.
• Wine reduction concentrates complex flavor profiles.
• Patience during cooking ensures perfectly tender chicken.
• Bubbling sauce develops rich, layered taste notes.
• Butter swirled at the end creates silky, luxurious texture.
• Garlic prep trick makes peeling effortless and quick.
• Quick boiling softens cloves and slides skins right off.
• Final butter addition gives sauce restaurant-quality smoothness.
• Fresh ingredients elevate the entire culinary experience.
• Room temperature chicken ensures even cooking throughout.
• Sharp knife helps manage precise ingredient preparation.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 490 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 36 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg