Chicken Christopher is a delicious chicken dish inspired by a popular menu item from Morton’s Steakhouse. This play on a steakhouse favorite uses simple ingredients to create a mouthwatering meal that is perfect for home cooks. Keep reading to learn all about the history of Chicken Christopher, how to make it and why you should add this recipe to your regular dinner rotation.
The History Behind Chicken Christopher
While Chicken Christopher evokes images of an elegant steakhouse meal, the dish doesn’t actually have a long history. In fact, Chicken Christopher was created fairly recently by chef Greg Christopher and added to the menu at Morton’s Steakhouse.
Christopher was a chef at Morton’s looking to add new options beyond steak. He decided to riff on a classic steak dish and translate it to chicken, swapping out beef for a chicken breast. The result was Chicken Christopher, a play on the steakhouse’s signature dish Steak Diane.
The chicken dish proved so popular that it became a permanent fixture on the Morton’s menu. Its popularity has led many home cooks to try and recreate the restaurant version in their own kitchens. While the original is top secret, various recipes have emerged over the years that try to mimic the Morton’s meal.
How Chicken Christopher is Made
While recipes can vary slightly Chicken Christopher generally features a few key components
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Pounded chicken breast – A boneless, skinless chicken breast is pounded flat to ensure even cooking and a tender texture.
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Flour and breadcrumb coating – The chicken is dredged in flour, dipped in egg, then coated in breadcrumbs to give it a crispy exterior. Panko breadcrumbs are often used for extra crunch.
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Pan frying – The coated chicken breast is pan fried in butter and oil to golden brown perfection.
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Beurre blanc – A classic French sauce, beurre blanc is made by whisking chilled butter into a vinegar and wine reduction. It has a rich, buttery flavor.
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Garnishes – Fresh parsley and lemon zest are commonly used to finish Chicken Christopher and add pops of color and flavor.
The end result is a crispy, juicy chicken breast smothered in an elegant, creamy sauce. It takes a humble ingredient like chicken from basic to beautiful.
Why You Should Make Chicken Christopher at Home
Recreating a gourmet steakhouse recipe like Chicken Christopher may seem intimidating. However, this dish comes together surprisingly easy at home. Here are some reasons why it deserves a spot on your family dinner table:
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Quick prep – With simple ingredients and just a few steps, Chicken Christopher can be prepped in 30 minutes or less. The hands-on cooking time is under 15 minutes.
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Budget-friendly – Chicken breast costs a fraction of what you would pay for steak. Making this at home is easy on the wallet.
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Impressive results – With its crispy coated chicken and rich, velvety sauce, Chicken Christopher looks and tastes like you spent all day cooking in the kitchen.
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Versatile – While delicious on its own, Chicken Christopher would pair well with sides like rice, roasted veggies, or a fresh salad.
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Approachable flavors – The flavors are elegant but also family-friendly. The crispy chicken and buttery sauce appeal to kids and adults alike.
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Special occasion worthy – Chicken Christopher may have humble beginnings, but this recipe truly feels elegant and celebratory. It’s perfect for date nights, holidays, or anytime you want to treat yourself.
Now that you know the story behind Chicken Christopher and why it’s so crave-worthy, it’s time to get cooking! Keep reading for tips on how to nail this restaurant-quality recipe at home.
Tips for Making Chicken Christopher Like the Pros
Follow these handy tips and tricks to ensure your Chicken Christopher turns out just as scrumptious as the steakhouse original:
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Pound it thin – Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken breast to an even 1⁄2 inch thickness. This allows it to cook quickly and evenly.
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Mind the temps – Don’t overcook the chicken! Use a meat thermometer to monitor the internal temperature. Cook just until it reaches 160-165°F.
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Preheat properly – Get your pan nice and hot over medium-high heat before adding the butter and oil. This helps the chicken get super crispy.
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Use fresh breadcrumbs – For maximum crunch, use fresh panko breadcrumbs. If you only have regular breadcrumbs, pulse them in a food processor to get finer crumbs.
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Make the sauce first – Prepare the beurre blanc sauce while the chicken cooks since the sauce only takes a few minutes.
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Chill the butter – Cold butter is key for the sauce! Cut butter into small cubes and chill in the fridge until ready to use.
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Cook down the wine – Don’t rush the sauce. Cook until the vinegar and wine have reduced by half to concentrate the flavors.
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Strain for smoothness – For the silkiest sauce, strain out the shallot pieces by pouring the sauce through a fine mesh strainer.
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Garnish with finesse – Finish with a sprinkle of finely chopped parsley and a pinch of lemon zest. Voila!
Chicken Christopher Recipes to Try at Home
Once you feel ready to take on Chicken Christopher, here are some top-rated recipes to try:
Morton’s Steakhouse Chicken Christopher – This recipe claims to mimic the real deal by using the exact method and quantities that Morton’s uses. It’s as close as you can get to the restaurant version.
Chicken Christopher by The Cooking Guy – Sam Zien of The Cooking Guy offers a simplified take, perfect for weeknight cooking. His recipe ditches straining the sauce for easy shortcuts.
Chicken Christopher from Cafe Delites – This recipe is easy to follow with step-by-step photos guiding you through every stage of cooking Chicken Christopher.
Chicken Christopher Video Recipe – Follow along with this YouTube tutorial from Cookat for visual tips on perfectly executing this recipe.
Chicken Christopher with Lemon Butter Sauce – For a brightness boost, Allrecipes boosts the lemon flavor by using both lemon juice and zest in the sauce.
Once you nail the classic recipe, have fun playing around with variations too. Swap in different herbs, spices, citrus juices, or even try the recipe with pork or fish. Chicken Christopher is the perfect canvas for creativity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Chicken Christopher
If you’re feeling unsure about taking on this somewhat confusingly named recipe, here are answers to some common Chicken Christopher questions:
What kind of chicken should I use? Boneless, skinless chicken breasts work best. Opt for larger breasts so you can pound them to an even thickness.
Do I really need to pound the chicken? Yes, pounding is essential! It allows the chicken to cook through evenly and helps it get crispy.
What if I don’t have panko breadcrumbs? Regular breadcrumbs or even crackers like Ritz can be used instead. Just pulse them to get fine crumbs.
What can I serve with Chicken Christopher? Rice, pasta, roasted vegetables, or a fresh salad pair nicely. You can also serve it with classic steakhouse sides like creamed spinach or roasted potatoes.
Can I make Chicken Christopher without wine? You can substitute chicken broth or even water, but the sauce won’t have quite the same depth of flavor.
Is beurre blanc sauce hard to make? It sounds fancy, but beurre blanc is surprisingly easy! Just slowly melt cold butter into your hot reduced wine sauce while whisking vigorously.
Can I make Chicken Christopher ahead of time? You can prep the chicken breasts up to a day in advance. The sauce is best made right before serving.
Can I freeze any leftovers? Yes, freeze any extra chicken or sauce separately. Thaw in the fridge before reheating to serve.
Now that you’re armed with all the Chicken Christopher knowledge you could need, it’s time to get cooking! Impress your family and friends with your skills and treat them to this elegant yet easy restaurant recreate. This recipe is sure to earn a permanent spot in your dinner rotation.
Can I omit the wine from the recipe?
Yes. If you prefer not to use wine, simply replace it with additional chicken broth.
How to Make Morton’s Steakhouse Chicken Christopher?
First, Sprinkle salt and pepper on the chicken. Heat oil in a pan. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes on each side. After that, Take it out of the pan.
In the same pan, cook chopped onions for 2-3 minutes until soft. Add garlic and cook for another minute. Pour in some white wine (if using of course) and let it cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and let it simmer.
Lower the heat and stir in the cream. Let it cook for about 5 minutes until it thickens. If it’s too thin, You can mix a little flour with water and add it to the sauce.
Now, Put the chicken back in the pan. Spoon some sauce over the chicken and cook together for 5 more minutes. Sprinkle cheese on top if you want and cook until melted.
I like to add some fresh parsley and basil before serving. Also, I made some roasted veggies alongside it, and I only served a little of the sauce with it on my plate beside the veggies, Enjoy.
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking before slicing to keep it juicy.
- Fresh parsley and basil add more flavor to the dish. but still optional.
- For spicy lovers like me, Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to your sauce.
- A non-stick pan helps prevent the chicken from sticking, so make sure to use one for this recipe.
- If using white wine, make sure it’s a good quality wine you would drink, it improves the sauce flavor for sure.