Mary berry creme fraiche chicken
Mary berry creme fraiche chicken is a delicious and creamy dish that features tender chicken breasts smothered in a rich, tangy sauce made with creme fraiche, white wine, and mustard. The dish is typically served over rice or pasta and can be garnished with fresh herbs for added flavor. It’s an easy-to-make meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions alike.
Why people also love Mary berry creme fraiche chicken
People love Mary Berry’s creme fraiche chicken for several reasons. Firstly, it is a simple and easy-to-make dish that can be prepared in under 30 minutes. Secondly, the combination of creamy creme fraiche, tangy white wine, and savory mustard creates a deliciously rich sauce that perfectly complements the tender chicken breasts. Finally, the dish is versatile and can be served with various sides such as rice or pasta making it perfect for any occasion from weeknight dinners to special events.
One summer, my family and I went on a road trip through France. We stopped in a small town called Dijon, which is famous for its mustard. While we were there, we stumbled upon a local market where they were selling fresh creme fraiche made from the milk of cows that grazed in the nearby fields.
Inspired by our travels and the delicious ingredients we found along the way, we decided to try making Mary Berry’s creme fraiche chicken using some of these local ingredients. We used Dijon mustard instead of regular mustard and added some fresh thyme from a nearby herb garden.
The result was absolutely delicious! The flavors were so rich and complex that it felt like we were experiencing all of France in one bite.
Ingredients:
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 150ml white wine
- Juice of half a lemon
- 200g creme fraiche
- Small handful fresh parsley leaves
Instructions:
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
- Add the chicken to the pan and cook until browned on both sides (around 5 minutes per side).
- After this,Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a plate.
- In the same pan used to cook the chicken, add onions and garlic to the remaining oil and cook until softened.
- Add the white wine to the pan and bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
- Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes or until sauce has reduced by half.
- Stir in lemon juice and creme fraiche, then return chicken breasts to the pan along with any juices on plate.
- Simmer gently for another 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and sauce has thickened slightly.
- After this,Garnish with fresh parsley leaves before serving.
Quick Facts
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Yield:This recipe serves four people
Equipment Needed:
- Large frying pan
- Wooden spoon
Serving Suggestions:
Mary Berry’s creme fraiche chicken can be served with a variety of sides such as rice or pasta. It also pairs well with roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots.
Expert Tips & Tricks:
- Make sure to season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper before cooking.
- For added flavor, you can add a splash of Worcestershire sauce to the sauce.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk in a tablespoon of cornstarch mixed with cold water into the sauce while it simmers.
Nutrition Information:
The nutrition information for this recipe is as follows (per serving):
- Calories: 345
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 7g
- Protein: 28g
Presentation:
To present Mary Berry’s creme fraiche chicken, place a cooked chicken breast on each plate and spoon the sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh parsley leaves and serve alongside your chosen sides.
Variations and substitutions for Mary berry creme fraiche chicken:
- Vegetarian option: Substitute the chicken with tofu or seitan, and use vegetable broth instead of white wine.
- Creamy mushroom version: Add sliced mushrooms to the pan after cooking the onions and garlic, then proceed with the recipe as written.
- Lemon herb variation: Mix chopped fresh herbs (such as thyme, rosemary, or basil) into the creme fraiche sauce along with a squeeze of lemon juice before adding it to the pan.
- Spicy twist: Add a pinch of chili flakes or paprika to give your dish an extra kick.
- Healthier alternative: Use low-fat creme fraiche or Greek yogurt instead of full-fat creme fraiche to reduce calories and fat content in this recipe.
- Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free flour or cornstarch to coat the chicken breasts, and use a gluten-free broth instead of white wine.
- Dairy-free option: Substitute the creme fraiche with coconut cream or cashew cream for a dairy-free version.
- Mediterranean-inspired twist: Add sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and capers to the pan after cooking the onions and garlic for a delicious Mediterranean flavor.
- BBQ-style variation: Instead of using creme fraiche sauce, brush your cooked chicken breasts with your favorite BBQ sauce before serving.
- Vegan alternative: Use vegan butter instead of regular butter when cooking onions and garlic in step 4, then proceed with vegetable broth instead of white wine as mentioned in vegetarian option above.
Recommendations and notices:
- Make sure to pound the chicken breasts evenly before cooking so that they cook evenly.
- Use a large frying pan to ensure that there is enough space for all the ingredients.
- Don’t overcook the chicken as it can become dry and tough.
- If you prefer a thicker sauce, whisk in cornstarch mixed with cold water into the sauce while it simmers or reduce the sauce by simmering longer on low heat until desired consistency is reached.
- Adjust seasoning according to your taste preference – more salt, pepper or herbs can be added if needed.
- To save time, prep all ingredients ahead of time before starting to cook
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- This dish pairs well with a variety of sides such as mashed potatoes, rice, roasted vegetables or salad.
- For best results, use fresh ingredients and quality chicken breasts.
- Be careful when adding the creme fraiche to the hot pan – make sure to stir it constantly so that it doesn’t curdle or separate.
- Lastly, enjoy this delicious and easy-to-make recipe!
FAQ for Mary berry creme fraiche chicken
Yes, you can definitely use boneless chicken thighs in this recipe. Just make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Yes, you can substitute sour cream for creme fraiche if needed.
You can use any dry white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Make sure to stir constantly while adding the creme fraiche to avoid separation or curdling. Additionally, remove the pan from heat before adding creme fraiche and stir it in slowly to ensure it blends well.
Yes, you can prepare the chicken and sauce ahead of time but wait until just before serving to reheat them. The texture may change if reheated multiple times.
No, it is not gluten-free as flour is used to coat the chicken breasts. However, you can substitute with a gluten-free alternative such as cornstarch or rice flour.
Yes, leftover creme fraiche chicken can be frozen for up to 2 months. Just make sure to store it in an airtight container or freezer bag.