Classic Poached Chicken In Cream Sauce Poule Au Pot Recipes

POACHED CHICKEN AND VEGETABLES (POULE AU POT)

Steps:

• Wrap parsley, thyme, peppercorns, bay leaves, and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth; tie with kitchen twine. Heat oil in a stockpot over medium-low heat. Add carrot, celery, and onion; cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and just starting to brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Add wine; cook until liquid has evaporated, 5 to 6 minutes. Add stock, herb bundle, and 4 cups water. Bring to a boil; reduce to gentle simmer. Cover; cook 30 minutes.
• Strain stock through a fine-mesh strainer; discard vegetables; return stock to stockpot. Bring to a simmer. Add chicken, mushrooms, potatoes, asparagus, carrot, celery, onions, and turnips. Simmer gently over medium heat until chicken is cooked through, skimming occasionally, 30 to 40 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

CLASSIC POACHED CHICKEN IN CREAM SAUCE (POULE AU POT)

Steps:

• Spread the carrots and leeks across the bottom of a large soup pot. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste and add to the pot. Add the onions, turnips, garlic and bouquet garni. Add water to cover and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, partly covered, until a leg pulls easily away from the body, about 1 hour.
• Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and remove the skin. Detach the legs and wings and separate the drumsticks from the thighs. Remove the breast, discard the bones and slice the meat thinly. Cover and keep warm.
• Transfer all the vegetables in the pot to a bowl; cover and keep warm. Discard the bouquet garni. Return the pot to high heat and boil until the broth is reduced by half. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter, then whisk in the flour; do not allow to brown. Gradually whisk in 1 cups of the broth, allowing the mixture to thicken. Whisk in the cream and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve, place a bed of rice or noodles in a large, deep serving dish. Top with the vegetables and then the chicken. Spoon the sauce over the top and garnish with chives. Serve immediately.

POACHED CHICKEN WITH TARRAGON CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Trim any rib meat and fat from the breasts. Cut breasts into 2 pieces, removing strip of cartilage that joins halves.
• Select a pan that will just hold the breasts when they are placed close together.
• Season both sides of chicken breasts with salt and white pepper, arrange them presentation side up.
• Add wine, chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme, and dried tarragon.
• Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit the pan you are using, rub butter on it. Place it butter side down on top of chicken mixture.
• Bring liquid to a simmer and reduce the temperature to just below simmering (this is poaching temperature).
• Allow chicken to cook through (about 7 minutes or until no longer pink in the middle). Remove chicken from pan.
• Turn temperature up until remaining liquid is boiling. Allow to reduce for a minute or two.
• Meanwhile mix 1 oz of butter and 1 oz of flour into a paste (this is called beurre manie).
• Once the liquid in the pan has reduced a little, whisk in the beurre manie, and bring back to a boil.
• Once liquid has thickened, add cream, and continue whisking until desired thickness.
• Strain liquid through cheese cloth, and serve over chicken breasts, with a sprig of tarragon.