Chicken Bonne Maman Recipes

CHICKEN 'BONNE MAMAN'

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Cook the bacon cubes in a small skillet over low heat until the fat renders and the cubes begin to brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside.
• Increase the heat to medium, add the onions to the skillet and sauté until golden. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in a large bowl.
• Add the carrots to the skillet and sauté until almost tender. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the bowl with the onions.
• Add the mushrooms to the skillet and cook, stirring, until browned. Remove with a slotted spoon and place in the bowl. Add the peas to the bowl.
• Heat vegetable oil until smoking in a sauté pan large enough to fit all four breasts without overcrowding the pan.
• Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and sauté until golden brown on both sides (about 2 to 3 minutes per side).
• Remove the breasts from the pan, place on a baking sheet and finish cooking in the oven until they're cooked through (160 degrees in the thickest part).
• While the breasts are cooking, turn the heat under the skillet down to medium. Remove all but 2 tablespoons oil from the pan, and add the sliced garlic. Cook until the garlic softens and turns translucent, about 30 seconds. Stir in the bacon.
• Add the white wine and reduce until all the liquid has evaporated. Add the vegetables from the bowl and the chicken stock. Bring to a boil and cook until the liquid is reduced by about a quarter.
• Add the butter, piece by piece, stirring until it is fully incorporated and the sauce is shiny. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste and add the thyme and parsley.
• Divide the vegetables and sauce among four plates, and place one chicken breast on each. Garnish each plate with a thyme sprig.
• Makes 4 servings.
• Note: Roasted chicken stock is made with chicken pieces that have been roasted, then simmered in water with vegetables and herbs. It's worth making for the deep flavor and color it adds to this dish, but you could use regular chicken stock or a good canned chicken broth.

BREASTS OF CHICKEN BONNE MAMAN

Steps:

• Cut each piece of breast in half crosswise down the center. Cut off and discard any bone lines or membranes.
• Sprinkle the breast with salt and pepper.
• Peel the onions and put them in a saucepan. Add cold water to cover and salt to taste. Bring to a boil and cook about 2 minutes. Drain.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy skillet and add the breast pieces.
• Cook about 30 seconds and add the onions.
• Cook 10 minutes and turn the breast pieces. Scatter the mushrooms over all and cook about 3 minutes.
• Add the basil leaves, wine and butter. Cover and cook about 3 minutes. Remove the basil leaves and garnish each piece of breast with one of the leaves. Serve with the onions and mushrooms in sauce spooned over.