I don’t make a ton of French food at home—it’s the kind of thing I like to order out at a nice bistro. You won’t find me whipping up beef Bourguignon or a nice soufflé, but I will happily gobble them up.
That being said, I do subscribe to a few French cooking techniques, like utilizing wine in cooking. Wine adds this aromatic and sophisticated (but not sweet) fruitiness to dishes—it amps up savory flavors without overpowering them. The alcohol cooks off, leaving behind liquid gold that flavors proteins and vegetables.
One classic pairing is chicken and wine. It can be seen on full display in coq au vin, but wine is frequently called for in chicken recipes in less overt ways as part of a marinade, for deglazing a pan, or making a sauce.
And while I love good coq au vin, I’m also basic. That’s why I developed this super easy baked chicken recipe that’s flavored with (you guessed it) wine. I call it wine chicken (sorry, French chefs), and it’s delicious.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Choosing the Right Wine
Look for a dry white wine for this recipe. Red wine is too intense and will make your chicken a weird grey color. My favorite is a dry riesling, often from Germany. They frequently have $10 or less bottles at Trader Joe’s. A dry sauvignon blanc or pinot grigio is also a good choice.
Tip
If you’re a wine novice, dry means the wine is lower in natural sugars and doesn’t taste actively sweet on the palate. Avoid sweet and oaky wines.
There’s no need to break the bank here, but don’t use a wine you wouldn’t also enjoy drinking. For one thing, I always drink a glass while my chicken bakes.
How To Serve Wine Chicken
One of my favorite things about this dish is its flexibility. It feels fancy enough for a dinner party, but it’s quick and easy enough for a weeknight. It pairs wonderfully with potatoes, either roasted, mashed, or otherwise. If you’re roasting potatoes, get them started in the oven first, then they can finish cooking while the chicken braises.
Wine chicken is also excellent with a bright and acidic green salad or your choice of vegetables. It’s also tasty over couscous or buttered noodles, which soak up the luscious sauce.
Simply Recipes / Ciara Kehoe
Chicken Thigh Recipes
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