Chicken Fricassee is the kind of dish that feels cozy, comforting, and right at home on your weeknight table. With tender chicken, hearty veggies, and a velvety cream sauce, it’s a classic French-inspired recipe that both kids and adults will enjoy. Poaching the chicken in seasoned broth ensures it stays juicy and flavourful, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth tender. Easy to make and ready in under 45 minutes, it’s the perfect meal for busy evenings when you want something hearty and satisfying.
Ingredients for Chicken Fricassee
This one-pot wonder is made with a few pantry staples and fresh ingredients:
- Chicken: Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are easy to shred and soak up the creamy sauce.
- Veggies: Leeks, carrots, mushrooms, and peas add color, texture, and flavour. Feel free to swap in broccoli or asparagus!
- Creamy Sauce: A roux of butter and flour, rich chicken broth, and cream (or half-and-half for a lighter option).
- Bright Flavours: Fresh thyme, lemon juice, and parsley make this dish pop.
Pro Tip: Add the peas toward the end to keep them bright and crisp, or earlier if you prefer them softer.
How to Make Chicken Fricassee – 3 Easy Steps!
This Chicken Fricassee recipe is weeknight magic. It’s easy to pull together, but the flavour will have everyone thinking you spent hours in the kitchen.
Step 1: Poach the Chicken
Gently simmer chicken in broth with thyme and bay leaf until it’s perfectly tender and juicy. Bonus: the poaching broth doubles as the base for your creamy sauce, so nothing goes to waste! Shred or chop the chicken once it’s cool enough to handle.
Step 2: Sauté the Veggies
Melt some butter and cook leeks, carrots, and mushrooms until they’re soft and golden—this is where all that cozy, rich flavour starts.
Step 3: Make the Sauce
Stir flour into melted butter to make a roux, then slowly whisk in the reserved broth and cream until it’s smooth and velvety. Add in peas, a splash of lemon juice, and the chicken, then let it simmer until everything is coated in creamy goodness.
Serve it over rice, buttery noodles, or some crusty bread to soak up every last bit of that luscious sauce. Easy, satisfying, and so worth it!
Tips for the Perfect Roux in Chicken Fricassee
Making a roux for Chicken Fricassee is easier than it sounds! It’s the secret to the dish’s creamy, silky sauce. And don’t stress if lumps form—you can always strain them out.
Here’s how to nail it:
- Keep It Balanced: Use equal parts butter and flour for a smooth base.
- Stir, Stir, Stir: Whisk constantly when adding flour to melted butter to prevent lumps and achieve a golden hue.
- Add Liquid Slowly: Gradually pour in broth or cream while whisking to keep the sauce velvety smooth.
- Let It Simmer: Cook the sauce for 5–10 minutes to thicken and develop flavour.
- Adjust Consistency: If it’s too thin, mix 50 ml water with 1 tbsp flour and stir it in slowly.
With these tips, your roux will be flawless, and your Chicken Fricassee irresistibly creamy!
Why the Whole Family Will Love This Chicken Fricassee
- Unbeatable Comfort: Creamy, hearty, and endlessly satisfying.
- Weeknight Friendly: On the table in just 45 minutes.
- Meal Prep Hero: Leftovers reheat beautifully, making it a great make-ahead option.
- Customisable: Switch up the veggies or go lighter with half-and-half instead of cream.
- Super Easy Prep: Simple ingredients, minimal chopping, and straightforward steps make this a breeze to whip up any night of the week.
If you’re looking for more family-friendly recipes that are both delicious and easy to prepare, try my Simple Chicken Potato Soup, a hearty bowl of comfort with chicken, potatoes, and vegetables. For pasta lovers, my Vegetable Bolognese Sauce is a veggie-packed take on classic meat sauce, or enjoy the creamy indulgence of Mushroom Gnocchi with Spinach. If you’re craving something with a Tuscan twist, don’t miss my Creamy Tuscan Chicken with Spinach, perfect for cozy family dinners.
Chicken fricassee
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breast filets (boneless, skinless, 700–800 g)
- 750 ml chicken broth
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme
- 1 large bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
- 1 leek (white part and light green only), diced
- 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
- 200 g cremini or white button mushrooms, sliced
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 150 ml cream (heavy or half-and-half)
- 150 g frozen peas
- 1-2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Method
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Poach the Chicken: Combine chicken broth, thyme, and bay leaf in a large pot. Bring to a gentle boil. Add chicken breasts, reduce heat, and poach for 15–20 minutes or until fully cooked. Remove chicken, let cool slightly, and shred or cut into bite-sized pieces. Strain and reserve the broth.
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Cook the Vegetables: Melt 1 tablespoon butter in the same pot over medium heat. Add leek, carrots, and mushrooms. Sauté for 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender.
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Make the Sauce: Push vegetables to one side. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons butter in the cleared space. Whisk in the flour to form a roux, cooking for 2 minutes. Gradually add the reserved chicken broth while whisking until smooth. Stir in heavy cream. Cook for 2–3 minutes until thickened.
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Combine and Finish: Stir in frozen peas, add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Return chicken to the pot, stirring gently to coat. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until heated through and peas, crisp-tender.
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Serve and Garnish: Serve over rice, potatoes, pasta, or in pastry shells. Garnish with fresh parsley.
Notes
- Maximise Prep Efficiency: Chop the vegetables while the chicken poaches to save time.
- Perfect Peas: Add frozen peas at the end to keep them bright and slightly firm. If you prefer tender peas or they’re frozen solid, add them a bit earlier.
- Perfect Chicken: Poaching chicken is a foolproof method to ensure it stays moist, tender, and full of flavor.
- Extra Tanginess: Stir in a spoonful of capers for a zesty kick. Vegetable Variations: Customise with asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower for a seasonal twist.
For a relaxing atmosphere in the kitchen I recommend my personal Elle Republic: Chilled Out Kitchen Tunes Playlist on Spotify.
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