Zesty Chicken Marengo Recipe: Tasty French Classic Delight

Chicken marengo whispers tales of culinary adventure from the heart of French cuisine, weaving a narrative of flavor and tradition.

Napoleon’s favorite dish emerges as a testament to battlefield creativity and gastronomic ingenuity.

Rustic tomatoes, tender chicken, and earthy mushrooms mingle in a symphony of taste that transcends simple cooking.

Each ingredient tells a story of passion and precision, transforming humble components into an extraordinary meal.

Fragrant herbs and rich sauce collaborate to create a sensory experience that lingers long after the last bite.

Robust and comforting, this recipe bridges generations of home cooks with its timeless appeal.

Let your taste buds embark on a journey through classic French elegance that promises pure culinary bliss.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 35 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 400 kcal

Servings: 5

Chicken Marengo Ingredients à la Joy of Cooking

• Chicken Pieces: Choose fresh, plump cuts with even coloring and minimal moisture for best flavor absorption.
• Bay Leaf: Select whole, unbroken leaves with rich green color and strong aromatic scent.

• Mushrooms, Onion: Pick firm mushrooms without dark spots and crisp onions with tight, dry outer layers.
• Garlic Cloves: Look for firm, compact bulbs without sprouts or soft spots for maximum flavor intensity.
• Fresh Thyme: Seek vibrant green sprigs with strong herbal fragrance and no wilting leaves.
• Fresh Parsley: Choose bright green leaves with no yellowing or wilting for maximum freshness.

• White Wine: Select a dry, crisp wine that complements chicken without overpowering other flavors.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Opt for high-quality, cold-pressed olive oil and unsalted butter for rich, clean taste.
• Chicken Broth: Use low-sodium, high-quality broth to control salt levels and enhance overall dish complexity.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Invest in fresh, whole peppercorns and kosher salt for more robust seasoning.
• Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Choose ripe, vibrant red tomatoes and rich, concentrated tomato paste for depth.

Pan and Pot Needs for Chicken Marengo

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning chicken and creating a flavorful one-pan meal.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for chopping onions, mincing garlic, and slicing mushrooms.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing vegetables and chicken.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients in the skillet.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately season the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Plate: Used to temporarily hold browned chicken while preparing vegetables.
• Tongs: Useful for flipping and moving chicken pieces in the hot skillet.

Cooking Chicken Marengo Like a French Pro

• Kick Off the Flavor Prep

Massage chicken pieces with a generous sprinkle of salt and pepper, ensuring every surface gets a tantalizing seasoning massage.

• Create Golden Sear

Fire up a skillet to medium-high heat. Swirl butter and olive oil, then gently place chicken pieces to create a stunning caramelized exterior. Cook until each side transforms into a crispy golden treasure, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a waiting plate.

• Unleash Vegetable Magic

In the same sizzling pan, toss mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Dance them around until onions turn translucent and mushrooms release their savory essence, roughly 5-6 minutes.

• Herb Infusion Technique

Reunite chicken with the vegetable party. Sprinkle bay leaf and thyme, stirring to marry all the flavors into a harmonious blend.

• Wine Transformation

Splash dry white wine into the skillet. Let it bubble and reduce, creating a rich foundation of flavor for about 3-4 minutes.

• Tomato Explosion

Introduce cubed tomatoes and tomato paste, stirring with passion to integrate every drop of tangy goodness.

• Liquid Love

Pour chicken broth to nearly submerge the chicken, creating a luxurious cooking bath.

• Slow Passion Cooking

Cover and let the skillet simmer on low heat for 30-35 minutes. Watch as the chicken becomes meltingly tender and absorbs the deep, complex flavors.

• Final Flourish

Sample and adjust seasoning. Crown the dish with a shower of fresh parsley. Serve immediately to hungry and eager diners.

Tips for Sauce Richness and Chicken Tenderness

Simple tweaks to elevate this classic chicken dish and make it uniquely yours.

Replace chicken with boneless turkey thighs or lean pork medallions for a delightful protein variation that maintains the dish’s rich flavor profile.

Experiment with fresh rosemary, oregano, or tarragon instead of thyme to create subtle yet exciting taste transformations that will surprise your taste buds.

Select different white wines like pinot grigio or sauvignon blanc to introduce nuanced flavor layers that complement the chicken’s natural richness without overwhelming the other ingredients.

Cool the chicken completely before refrigerating in an airtight container where it will stay delicious for 3-4 days, with flavors actually improving overnight as ingredients continue to meld together.

Serving Chicken Marengo with Elegance

• Pair with Crusty Bread: Soak up the delicious sauce with slices of warm, crusty artisan bread, perfect for capturing every last drop of the flavorful liquid.
• Complement with Creamy Sides: Serve alongside smooth mashed potatoes or buttery rice to balance the rich, tomato-based chicken sauce and create a satisfying meal.
• Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Top the dish with chopped fresh parsley or basil to add a bright, aromatic finish that enhances the overall flavor profile and provides a beautiful pop of green color.
• Wine Pairing Delight: Choose a medium-bodied white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc to echo the wine used in cooking and create a harmonious dining experience.

Keeping Leftover Marengo Flavorful

• Meal Planning & Storage Advice
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and measure ingredients in advance to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of stress.
• Refrigeration Wisdom: Store leftover chicken in airtight containers for up to 3-4 days, keeping flavors intact and meal ready for quick reheating.
• Freezer-Friendly Option: Transfer completely cooled dish to freezer-safe containers, where it can maintain quality for 2-3 months without losing taste or texture.
• Reheating Pro Tips: Gently warm in microwave or stovetop, adding splash of chicken broth to prevent drying out and restore original juicy consistency.

Authentic Joy Of Cooking Chicken Marengo Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.8 from 19 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Napoleon’s favorite chicken marengo showcases French culinary tradition with tender chicken, tomatoes, and mushrooms. Soldiers and home cooks alike appreciate this historic dish that connects French cuisine to battlefield memories.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 chicken (13 lb/5.9 kg), cut into serving pieces
• 2 tbsps butter
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• ½ cup finely chopped onion
• ½ tsp finely minced garlic
• 1½ cups (0.5 lb/226 g) thinly sliced mushrooms
• 2 cups cored and cubed red ripe tomatoes, or canned tomatoes
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ¼ cup tomato paste
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 sprigs fresh thyme or ½ tsp dried
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley
• Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Seasoning Preparation: Thoroughly coat chicken pieces with salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
2. Searing Stage: Heat butter and olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until fat becomes hot and shimmering, then brown chicken pieces for 3-4 minutes per side to develop a rich golden crust.
3. Vegetable Foundation: Remove chicken and in the same skillet, sauté mushrooms, onions, and garlic until they soften and release their aromatic essence.
4. Herb and Liquid Integration: Return chicken to skillet, add bay leaf, thyme, and deglaze with white wine, scraping up caramelized fragments from the pan bottom.
5. Tomato and Broth Incorporation: Mix in tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth, ensuring chicken pieces are mostly submerged in the liquid.
6. Simmering Process: Reduce heat, cover skillet, and allow dish to gently simmer for 25-35 minutes until chicken becomes perfectly tender and thoroughly cooked.
7. Final Touches: Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, then garnish with fresh parsley sprigs before serving hot.

Notes

• Perfectly Brown Chicken: Ensure your skillet is hot enough to create a beautiful golden crust without burning; this develops deep, rich flavors fundamental to the dish’s success.
• Manage Moisture Wisely: Let chicken pieces rest undisturbed during initial searing to prevent steaming and guarantee that gorgeous caramelized exterior.
• Herb Infusion Technique: Add herbs midway through cooking to maximize their aromatic potential and prevent burning, releasing their most complex flavor profiles.
• Wine Reduction Magic: Choose a crisp, dry white wine and reduce it carefully to concentrate flavors, transforming the sauce from simple to extraordinary.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 350 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg