Tender Chicken Delight is a delicious, comforting dish that focuses on creating a tender and flavorful chicken with a creamy or savory sauce. This recipe features a succulent chicken cooked to perfection with a delightful blend of seasonings and a rich sauce that pairs wonderfully with rice, potatoes, or vegetables. Here’s a straightforward recipe to make this dish at home:
Tender Chicken Delight
Ingredients:
For the Chicken:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika (smoked or regular)
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or rosemary (optional)
For the Sauce:
- 1 cup (240ml) chicken broth
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce (optional, for extra umami)
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour or cornstarch (for thickening)
- 2 tablespoons water (for the slurry, if thickening)
- 1/2 cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese (optional, for added richness)
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Season the chicken breasts or thighs with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dried thyme or rosemary if using.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or frying pan, heat the olive oil or butter over medium-high heat.
- Once hot, add the chicken and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. The chicken does not need to be cooked through at this stage.
- Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
2. Prepare the Sauce:
- In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium. If there is excess fat in the skillet, drain it off, leaving about 1 tablespoon.
- Add the chicken broth to the skillet, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
- Stir in the heavy cream, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce (if using).
- Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- In a small bowl, mix the flour or cornstarch with water to make a slurry.
- Gradually whisk the slurry into the simmering sauce, continuing to stir until the sauce thickens. This should take about 2-3 minutes.
- If using Parmesan cheese, stir it into the sauce until melted and smooth.
3. Combine and Cook:
- Return the chicken to the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top.
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and is cooked through.
4. Finish and Serve:
- Remove the skillet from the oven and let the chicken rest for a few minutes.
- Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
- Serve the Tender Chicken Delight with your choice of side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, rice, or steamed vegetables.
This recipe creates a comforting, flavorful chicken dish with a creamy sauce that’s perfect for a cozy dinner. Enjoy!