French Hunter’s Chicken with mushrooms in rich white wine sauce 🇫🇷

French Hunter’s Chicken (Poulet Chasseur) is a classic French dish with chicken pieces cooked in a rich onion and mushroom sauce infused with white wine and herbs.

Recipe Intro

Poulet Chasseur, or “hunter’s chicken,” is a traditional French dish that highlights the culinary practice of using fresh, seasonal ingredients. The word “chasseur” refers to hunters who gathered herbs and mushrooms while hunting for game, creating a dish that reflects rustic cooking traditions.

English version: It’s important to note that there is an unrelated English dish also called “hunter’s chicken.” It consists of chicken breasts wrapped in bacon and topped with barbecue sauce and cheese, which differs significantly from the authentic French Poulet Chasseur.

French Hunter’s Chicken Ingredients

Optional ingredients: In the south of France, particularly in regions like Provence, Languedoc, and Nice, tomatoes and olives are typically added to Poulet Chasseur due to their abundant local growth, which enhances the dish’s flavour and reflects regional culinary traditions.

How to make French Hunter’s Chicken

1. Browning the chicken

• If you’re using a whole chicken, cut it into pieces – separate drumsticks, thighs and breasts. Season the meat with a good pinch of salt and pepper and dust with flour – just enough to coat them. Leave the skin on.
• Heat some oil in a pan until it’s nice and hot. Add the chicken pieces and sear them for 2-3 minutes each side until they turn golden brown. And remember, don’t take the skin off! Keeping the skin on is key because it helps lock in moisture while the chicken cooks, preventing it from drying out.
• Once the chicken is browned, take it out and set aside.

Note: 🍗 It doesn’t matter if the chicken is still raw inside or oozes some blood; browning it quickly seals in the juices and adds flavour, and the chicken will thoroughly finish cooking later in the oven.

2. Sauce preparation

• In the same pan where you browned the chicken, add the sliced onions and butter. Fry the onions for about 5 minutes until they become golden. This stage is important because the onions will add a sweet, caramelised base to your sauce.

Note: 🧅 Slice the onions instead of dicing for a rustic look. The long strands not only provide an appealing, homey appearance but also give better and even caramelisation, enhancing the flavour and texture of your meal.

• Next, add finely chopped garlic and mushrooms and cook for 3-5 minutes, while stirring. This gives the mushrooms time to release their flavours, and the garlic will infuse the dish with its aroma.
• Now, pour in white wine and a splash of cognac. If you don’t have cognac, brandy or whiskey works just as well. Let it simmer for 5 minutes to cook off the alcohol and concentrate the flavours.
• Stir in tomato purée, add chicken broth, extra sliced mushrooms, thinly sliced carrots and herbs. Let everything simmer together for 5 minutes.

3. Finish the Poulet Chasseur in the oven

Note: 🍳 French Hunter’ Chicken is traditionally cooked on the stovetop. For convenience, I prepared this dish in the oven – just pop it in and “forget about it” :). Of course, you can choose whichever method you prefer, whether it’s the traditional way of cooking on the stovetop or using the oven.

• Place the chicken pieces into an ovenproof dish and pour the sauce over. Chicken pieces don’t have to be completely submerged in the sauce. Cover with aluminium foil.

• Place it in a preheated oven at 200°C and bake for 45 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, remove the foil to allow the chicken skin to turn dark and golden for that perfectly roasted finish.

• Once it’s done, allow the dish to rest for at least 20 minutes before serving.

What to serve with French Hunter’s Chicken

I served mine with homemade mini dumplings (recipe soon), it was delicious!
You would normally serve French Hunter’s Chicken with roasted or boiled potatoes or crusty bread, which is perfect for mopping up all that delicious sauce. You might also see it alongside seasonal veggies or creamy mashed potatoes, making for a hearty meal.

Bon appétit! 🍽️

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