This chicken fricassee is tender chicken pieces simmered in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and carrots. An easy, one pot meal that’s quick enough for a busy weeknight, yet elegant enough to serve to company!

I’m always looking for new and exciting ways to serve chicken. Some of my current favorites include arroz con pollo, spatchcock chicken and this ultra flavorful chicken fricassee.

You can never go wrong with chicken for dinner. It’s inexpensive, versatile and sure to be a crowd pleaser. This chicken fricassee features chicken thighs and drumsticks with plenty of veggies, all in the most delicious sauce.

What is chicken fricassee?

Fricassee is a French term that refers to braising pieces of meat in a creamy sauce. Chicken fricassee is the most common version of this dish, but it’s also possible to cook beef, pork and even seafood in this manner.

How do you make chicken fricassee?

Start by browning the chicken pieces in a pan on the stove. Remove the chicken from the pan, then add vegetables and seasonings, and cook until the veggies are tender. Stir in flour to thicken the sauce, then add white wine and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Add the chicken broth, then return the chicken pieces to the pan. Cover the pan, then simmer until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Stir in some heavy cream, then sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve.

Tips for the perfect chicken

Use a good quality white wine that you’d enjoy drinking, such as a Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc.
While I typically use a combination of thighs and drumsticks, you could use one or the other if you prefer.
This dish will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat the chicken in the microwave, or on the stove top over medium heat.
I typically serve fricassee over mashed potatoes with a green vegetable on the side such as green beans, asparagus or broccoli. It’s also great with rice pilaf or roasted potatoes.
You can use fresh or frozen pearl onions in this dish. If you can’t find pearl onions, use 1/2 cup of diced onion.

What is the difference between chicken stew and chicken fricassee?

The main difference between a chicken stew and a fricassee is that in a stew, the chicken and other ingredients are all simmered together in the liquid. In a fricassee, the chicken is pan seared first, then added to the sauce. It’s a difference in cooking technique although sometimes the flavors can be similar.

Flavor Variations

While this dish is great as-is, you can absolutely add other ingredients to customize the flavors to your tastes.

Protein: I think this dish tastes best with dark meat chicken, as it is more flavorful and less likely to dry out as it cooks. If you prefer to use chicken breasts, I recommend using the bone-in skin-on variety, and cutting them in half so they cook in a similar amount of time as legs and thighs.
Vegetables: Feel free to add more vegetables to the mix, some great options include diced potatoes, artichokes, peas, asparagus or parsnips. If you’re using delicate vegetables such as the asparagus and parsnips, add them during the last 10 minutes of the cooking time.
Flavorings: Amp up the flavor with additions such as olives, lemon juice, fresh thyme or add a sprinkle of parmesan cheese before serving.

Once you taste this fricassee, you’ll find yourself making it on a regular basis!

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