Fricassee chicken is a classic French dish that has been around for centuries. It features juicy chicken pieces simmered in a creamy white sauce along with vegetables like onions mushrooms, and carrots. This comforting stew is the perfect meal on a cold day. Let’s take a deeper look at what defines fricassee chicken and what makes it so delicious.
The Origins and History of Fricassee
The term “fricassee” first appeared in English texts in the mid-16th century. It comes from the French words “frire” meaning to fry and “casser” meaning to break into pieces. Recipes for fricassee dishes date back to the 14th century in the earliest version of the medieval French cookbook “Le Viandier.”
Fricassee was likely developed as a way to tenderize tough cuts of meat. By cutting the meat into smaller pieces, then braising it in liquid the end result was a tender and flavorful stew. Chicken emerged as one of the most popular proteins to fricassee.
Over the centuries, fricassee chicken became a fixture of French cuisine and spread across Europe. Immigrants later brought the dish to America where it was referenced in cookbooks as early as the 18th century. President Abraham Lincoln was said to be very fond of chicken fricassee.
How Chicken Fricassee is Made
Fricassee falls between a sauté and a stew in technique. Here are the basic steps to making classic fricassee chicken:
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Cut the chicken into pieces – Chicken thighs or a mix of white and dark meat work best. The skin can be left on for added flavor. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces.
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Lightly flour the chicken – Toss the chicken pieces in flour seasoned with salt, pepper, and herbs. This light coating will help thicken the sauce later on.
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Sauté the chicken – Cook the floured chicken pieces in butter over medium-high heat until lightly browned on all sides. Don’t overcook at this stage.
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Sauté aromatics – Add onions, carrots, celery, and mushrooms to the pan. Cook until the vegetables are softened.
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Simmer in liquid – Return the chicken to the pan and add cooking liquid like chicken broth or water. Simmer gently until the chicken is cooked through.
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Make a creamy sauce – Whisk together flour and cream or milk to make a slurry. Pour it into the fricassee sauce while simmering to thicken and add richness.
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Finish with herbs – Stir in fresh parsley, thyme, or tarragon before serving. The herbs brighten up the flavor.
The hallmarks of Chicken Fricassee
There are a few key features that distinguish fricassee chicken from other braised chicken dishes:
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The chicken isn’t browned first – Unlike many stews, fricassee chicken is not seared before the braising liquid is added. This keeps the chicken pieces pale in color rather than browned.
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A white sauce is used – Milk, cream, or even egg yolks are used to make the stewing liquid into a creamy white sauce. This gives fricassee its signature velvety texture.
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Vegetables play a supporting role – Aromatic vegetables are cooked with the chicken to add flavor rather than play a starring role. The chicken takes center stage.
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Served with starchy sides – Fricassee chicken is typically served over or alongside rice, pasta, mashed potatoes, or buttery noodles to soak up the rich sauce.
Variations on Chicken Fricassee
While the French version is the most well known, chicken fricassee takes on different forms around the world:
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Spanish – Spanish fricassee uses a tomato-based sauce with red wine and olives.
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Caribbean – Jamaican fricassee chicken has a spicy, tomatoey sauce flavored with local herbs and spices.
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Cajun – Cajun fricassee often includes Trinity aromatics like bell pepper, onion, and celery with Creole seasoning.
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Moroccan – Moroccan chicken fricassee is called “fricassada” and features warming spices like cinnamon, cumin, and paprika.
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Jewish – Jewish fricassee uses chicken necks, feet, and offal along with meatballs simmered in schmaltz.
No matter the specific ingredients, the gentle braising method remains the same in producing tender, flavorful fricassee chicken.
Why Fricassee Chicken is So Delicious
There are several reasons why fricassee produces such a tasty chicken dish:
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Bone-in chicken thighs provide more flavor than breast meat alone. The skin also adds richness when left on.
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Lightly flouring the chicken helps thicken the sauce while adding savory depth.
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Aromatic vegetables like onions, carrots, and celery impart sweetness.
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Gentle simmering allows the chicken to cook slowly while the flavors meld.
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The creamy sauce made with milk or cream gives fricassee its luxurious mouthfeel and binds the ingredients.
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Fresh herbs brighten up the stew right before serving.
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Starchy sides soak up the delicious sauce which is key to enjoying fricassee chicken.
The sum of these parts is a comforting, crave-worthy chicken dish that has stood the test of time. Fricassee chicken continues to be a dinnertime staple for good reason. This back-to-basics braise celebrates quality ingredients with a simple yet elegant preparation.
The History of Chicken Marengo
The origins of chicken Marengo are a little murky, and the most popular story is probably a myth. Legend has it that Napoleon’s chef created this dish for him after he defeated the Austrian army at the Battle of Marengo, and Napoleon enjoyed it so much that he requested it after every battle henceforth.
The more likely story is that after the Battle of Marengo, a restaurant chef created the dish to celebrate Napoleon’s victory. We’ll likely never know what’s true, so feel free to go with whichever version you like!
The ingredients in this chicken Marengo have evolved. Originally, it was garnished with fried eggs and crayfish. Supposedly when Napoleon’s chef substituted mushrooms for the crayfish, Napoleon wouldn’t eat the dish—he thought it would bring bad luck to eat the altered recipe. Like the rest of the story, I have no idea if that’s true or not, but the mushrooms are a great addition and how the dish is commonly served today.
How I Make Chicken Marengo
I like to make this dish with a very simple technique, similar to how my grandma used to make her chicken fricassee. The chicken parts are seasoned and dredged in flour, browned in a Dutch oven, then set aside. Next, you’ll sauté the onions, garlic, and mushrooms in the same pot, deglaze it with wine, broth, and canned tomatoes, and let it simmer until the sauce has reduced to your liking.
If you’re impatient like me, you’ll probably need to let it go about 10 minutes longer than you want to—it’s best when there’s almost no liquid left in the pot and the flavors have had a chance to concentrate. This also gives the chicken thighs a chance to cook through and become nice and tender.
Making President Lincoln’s Favorite Meal | Chicken Fricassee
FAQ
What does fricassee mean in cooking?
Fricassee or fricassée /ˈfrɪkəsiː/ is a stew made with pieces of meat that have been browned in butter then served in a sauce flavored with the cooking stock.
What is the technique of fricassee?
In “Mastering the Art of French Cooking,” first published in 1961, fricassee is described as “halfway between a sauté and a stew.” The basic technique for any fricassee is to sauté some protein and vegetables in a pan, add liquid, bring to a simmer, and finish the cooking process as a braise.
What is a fricassee chicken?
Chicken Fricassée is a classic French chicken stew that brings together tender chicken pieces in a creamy white wine sauce infused with the earthy essence of mushrooms and fresh herbs.
What is the difference between chicken stew and Chicken Fricassée?
Fricassee is a hybrid cooking method that combines both wet and dry heat. It falls halfway between a saute (in which no liquid is added) and a stew (which contains added liquids). Chicken fricassee is a traditional French dish with a creamy white sauce.