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    Ask Chef Dennis » Recipes » Main Meals » Poultry Recipes » Chicken Chasseur aka Hunters Chicken

    Chicken Chasseur aka Hunters Chicken

    Published: Jan 25, 2021 · Modified: Jun 23, 2022 by Chef Dennis Littley · 46 Comments·This post includes affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    5 from 38 votes
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    If you’ve never heard of Chicken Chasseur, you’re not in a minority. Often called Hunters Chicken it’s a delicious alternative to a boring weeknight meal. This classic French country dish will tantalize your taste buds as you amaze your family with your culinary skills. And the best part is just how easy it is to make.

    chicken chasseur on a white plate

    I love when dishes surprise me. The sauce in my chicken chasseur was simply ah-mazing. It reminded me of an espagnole sauce and went perfectly with the mushrooms and chicken thighs.

    This dish will be making a regular appearance on our dinner menu.

    What is Chasseur?

    The name Chasseur is derived from the French word for hunter, and this is where the name Hunter’s Sauce comes from. It’s traditionally paired with wild fowl, rabbit, venison and other game meats. When returning from the hunt, the hunters would gather the mushrooms and fresh herbs that they would use in the sauce.

    Sauce chasseur is a brown sauce used in French cuisine made using a demi-glace or espagnole sauce as the base. Mushrooms, shallots, fresh herbs and often tomatoes are used to enhance the sauce. My recipe makes a simpler version of this classic sauce.

    What ingredients do I need to make Chicken Chasseur?

    overhead view of the ingredients to make chicken chasseur i

    Let’s start by gathering the ingredients we need to make Chicken Chasseur. In Chef Speak this is called the “Mise en Place” which translates to “Everything in its Place”.

    Not only does setting your ingredients up ahead of time speed the up cooking process, but it also helps ensure you have everything you need to make the dish.

    Do I have to use Chicken Thighs to make Hunter’s Chicken?

    No, you don’t. You can use any part of the chicken that you like, including boneless breasts. I find that the dark meat of the chicken thighs is a perfect match for this earthy sauce.

    Do I have to use Marsala to make the Chasseur Sauce?

    No, you don’t. Traditionally Cognac or Brandy is used along with a dry white wine. But if alcohol is an issue you can simply leave them out of the recipe.

    The sauce won’t taste quite the same, but it will still be delicious.

    How do I make Chicken Chasseur?

    browned chicken thighs in a large skillet
    • Remove any extra fat or skin from the thighs.
    • Dredge the chicken thighs in flour seasoned with sea salt and black pepper.
    • Add the olive oil to a large saute pan over high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken skin side down and allow it to sear and brown nicely. *If your pan cooks unevenly (like mine) rotate the thighs halfway without turning over to get the top of the skin fully browned.
    • When the chicken has browned nicely turn the thighs over and cook for another 2 minutes. Then remove from the pan until the sauce has been made. *If there is a lot of residue from frying the thighs, dump the oil and start with a clean pan
    mushrooms, shallots and garlic with olive oil in the skillet

    Add the shallots, garlic mushrooms to the pan and saute for 5 minutes until the mushrooms have cooked. Don’t let the garlic or shallots burn.

    *add more olive oil if needed the mushrooms really suck up the oil

    cooked mushrooms, shallots and garlic in the skillet

    Deglaze the pan with the wine and marsala.

    *Traditionally the recipe calls for Cognac or Brandy and a dry white wine.

    tomato paste, stock and tarragon added to the skillet

    Add the tomato paste, chicken stock, beef stock, and tarragon to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil.

    Cream added to the mushroom sauce in the skillet

    Add in the cream and allow the mixture to cook for another 1-2 minutes.

    chicken added to the mushroom sauce in the skillet

    Add the browned chicken thighs to the pan, leaving the tops exposed. Reduce the heat to simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes.

    **If the sauce isn’t thick enough allow it to reduce a little longer. If the sauce is too thick add a little water.

    overhead shot of chicken chasseur on a white plate

    Serve the chicken with mushroom sauce and garnish with chopped parsley. This dish would go great with roasted or mashed potatoes and your favorite green vegetable.

    More Recipes You’ll Love!

    • Creamy Tuscan Chicken and Potatoes
    • Chicken Marsala
    • Chicken Saltimbocca
    • Restaurant Style Chicken Parm
    • Chicken Scarpariello

    Did you make this? Please RATE THE RECIPE below!

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    chicken chasseur on a white plate
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    5 from 38 votes

    Chicken Chasseur aka Hunters Chicken

    Chicken doesn't have to be boring and dinner shouldn't take you all day to prepare. This dish is basically ready in about 25 minutes, it just needs a little more time to simmer and create this amazing mushroom sauce. This restaurant-style dish is perfect for date night or just a weeknight meal.
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time1 hr 15 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: French
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 690kcal
    Author: Chef Dennis Littley

    Ingredients

    • 2 tablespoon Olive oil more as needed
    • 2 lbs chicken thighs bone-in and skin on *you can use a whole chicken cut up
    • 12 ounces baby portobello mushrooms halved or quartered
    • 2 tablespoons shallots finely diced
    • 3 cloves garlic finely diced
    • ⅓ cup white wine dry
    • ⅓ cup marsala *traditionally cognac or brandy is used
    • 2 tablespoon tomato paste
    • 1⅓ cup chicken stock
    • ⅔ cup beef stock *you can use all chicken stock
    • 1 tablespoon tarragon chopped
    • 2 tablespoons heavy cream *you can substitute Greek yogurt or sour cream
    • 1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley for garnish
    US Customary – Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Dredge the chicken thighs in flour seasoned with sea salt and black pepper
    • Add the olive oil to a large saute pan over high heat. When the oil is hot, carefully place the chicken skin side down and allow it to sear and brown nicely.
      *If your pan cooks unevenly (like mine) rotate the thighs halfway without turning over to get the top of the skin fully browned.
    • When the chicken has browned nicely turn the thighs over and cook for another 2 minutes. Then remove from the pan until the sauce has been made.
      *If there is a lot of residue from frying the thighs, dump the oil and start with a clean pan
    • Add the shallots, garlic mushrooms to the pan and saute for 5 minutes until the mushrooms have cooked. Don't let the garlic or shallots burn.
      *add more oil if needed
    • Deglaze the pan with the wine and marsala.
    • Add the tomato paste, chicken stock, beef stock, and tarragon to the pan. Bring to a boil, then add in the cream. Allow the mixture to cook for another 1-2 minutes.
    • Add the browned chicken thighs to the pan, leaving the tops exposed. Reduce the heat to simmer, cover and cook for 45 minutes.
    • If the sauce isn't thick enough allow it to reduce a little longer. If the sauce is too thick add a little water.
      Garnish with chopped parsley.
    • Serve with roasted potatoes or your favorite side dishes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 690kcal | Carbohydrates: 12g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 49g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 235mg | Sodium: 443mg | Potassium: 1178mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 567IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @askChefDennis or tag #askChefDennis!
    pinterest image for chicken chasseur
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    About Chef Dennis

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    Chef Dennis is a semi-retired Chef, writer/blogger, photographer, recipe developer and creator of A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis aka Ask Chef Dennis®. Chef Dennis worked professionally in White Table Cloth Restaurants for 40 years and has been developing easy to make, restaurant-style recipes since 2009. The second phase of his reinvention from chef to blogger has earned him a place at the Worlds Dinner Table. Join him on his Culinary Journey enjoying his easy to make Restaurant Style recipes and travel adventures. For more details, check out his About page.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amy Liu Dong

      February 27, 2021 at 6:47 am

      5 stars
      Such a savory dish to make for tonight’s dinner, and I am pretty sure that everyone will love it.

      Reply
    2. Stine Mari

      February 27, 2021 at 2:50 am

      5 stars
      The mushroom sauce is the best thing ever, that umami burst is perfect with the juicy chicken.

      Reply
    3. CandyJ

      February 19, 2021 at 10:48 am

      5 stars
      This has become my absolute favorite Chicken Dish!! I buy thighs and have the butcher cut breasts in half so they’re about the same size to cook evenly. I use the traditional Brandy and white wine. I’ve experimented with different options to pour the yummy sauce over. Always feels like a special dinner even though it’s just chicken!

      Reply
    4. Jacqueline Debono

      February 07, 2021 at 5:11 pm

      5 stars
      I love the combo of chicken with mushrooms. We have a slightly similar dish here in Italy called chicken alla cacciatora (also hunter’s chicken). However, I think the French version is richer. On my to make list!

      Reply
    5. Cindy

      February 01, 2021 at 3:23 am

      The sauce in this recipe is so amazing and I love how the mushrooms absorb the flavors. Such a comforting and elegant dish. I’m adding this to my regular weeknight dinner list. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    6. Naiby

      January 31, 2021 at 10:20 am

      5 stars
      That sauce seems incredibly tasty. I’ll definitely try it for my next dishes. Can’t wait!

      Reply
    7. Kushigalu

      January 31, 2021 at 2:05 am

      5 stars
      Sounds amazing. What a creative and great chicken recipe to try for dinner.love the flavors Thanks for sharing. Pinned.

      Reply
    8. Kari

      January 30, 2021 at 5:10 pm

      5 stars
      CHicken Chassseur is indeed classic and you have done it justice in this post! What a scrumptious feast!

      Reply
    9. Marissa

      January 30, 2021 at 11:24 am

      A classic! I love a good mushroom sauce; I can never have enough. I’ve got this on the menu for dinner next week. Can’t wait! 😋

      Reply
    10. Jamie

      January 29, 2021 at 11:18 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a wonderful dinner for the family and I love how quickly it comes together! The chicken is so moist and flavorful too!

      Reply
    11. Mama Maggie's Kitchen

      January 29, 2021 at 8:12 pm

      5 stars
      Oh my word! I need this in my life. I have to rethink dinner tonight. lol.

      Reply
    12. Jenny

      January 29, 2021 at 3:40 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, I love this chicken dish! It looks so scrumptious. I am pinning it to make this weekend. It will be a treat. Thanks for a terrific post and recipe.

      Reply
    13. Kristina

      January 29, 2021 at 1:09 pm

      5 stars
      Loved this! It was my FIRST time using mushrooms in recipes, and it was delicious!

      Reply
    14. Emily Flint

      January 29, 2021 at 11:58 am

      5 stars
      You make the chicken look so good, I can’t wait to make this!

      Reply
    15. Leslie

      January 29, 2021 at 11:51 am

      5 stars
      This is a fantastic recipe! Perfect for a weeknight dinner!

      Reply
    16. Angela

      January 29, 2021 at 10:38 am

      5 stars
      Great flavor!

      Reply
    17. Kay

      January 29, 2021 at 9:49 am

      5 stars
      Perfect winter recipe loved it 🙂

      Reply
    18. Natalie

      January 29, 2021 at 9:35 am

      5 stars
      What a lovely recipe. I love the flavored and simplicity. I can’t wait to make this. Thanks!

      Reply
    19. Sue

      January 29, 2021 at 8:48 am

      5 stars
      Wonderful! I love all the mushrooms in this Hunter’s Chicken!

      Reply
    20. Sabrina

      January 28, 2021 at 11:55 pm

      5 stars
      Such a delicious classic. Love it!

      Reply
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