Braised Chicken Breasts – Immaculate Bites

What does it mean to braise chicken breasts?

To braise meat, simmer the meat slowly over low heat in a covered pot or Dutch oven with enough liquid (broth, wine, etc. – not water) to just cover it. Most braised meats are cooked in the oven, but you can certainly do it on the stovetop.

The beauty of braising chicken breasts in the oven is that you can set it and forget it, resulting in juicy, tender and flavourful chicken breasts. 😋

What you need

1. Chicken breast – Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are easier to prepare and take a little less time to cook, but bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts are of course fine too, just adjust cooking times accordingly.
2. seasoning – For spices, white pepper, garlic and onion powder, paprika, thyme and bouillon powder will suffice.
3. fat – Butter and olive oil are great for searing chicken and sautéing vegetables, giving the whole dish a rich flavor, and of course you can use ghee for a paleo-friendly version.
4. vegetables – Onions, garlic, carrots, tomatoes and celery add a variety of flavors, aromas and textures to this dish.
5. liquid – The main ingredients of our sauce are broth and white wine, which the chicken absorbs as it cooks.

How to stew chicken breasts

• preheat Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C).
• Spice Mix – In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. (Photo 1)
• Preparation chicken – Pat the chicken breasts dry. Place two breasts on top of each other in a layer of plastic wrap or baking paper and pound with a meat tenderizer until the breasts are 1/2 inch thick. (This will ensure even cooking for a juicier breast.)
• season Sprinkle chicken generously with spice mix on both sides. (Photo 2)
• bake – Heat oil in a Dutch oven or large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear on both sides until browned (about 2 minutes per side). Remove and set aside. (Photos 3-4)
• Stew seasoning – Melt the butter in a frying pan and add the onion, garlic and thyme. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Then add the diced tomatoes and bouillon powder, stir and sauté for 5-6 minutes. (Photo 5)
• sauce – Gradually pour in the white wine, then add the chicken broth and stir. Bring to a boil and add the carrots and celery. Simmer for about 1 minute, taste and adjust seasoning. (Photos 6-7)
• Stew – Then place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet, cover and place in the oven. Cook the chicken in the oven for 40 minutes or until it is tender and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). For a beautiful golden brown breast, broil for the last 5 minutes without the lid. (Photo 8)
• rest – Remove the chicken from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.
• serve – Sprinkle with parsley and serve with your favorite vegetables and mashed potatoes or rice.

Recipe Variations

1. Use a different cut of chicken – this recipe could easily be made with thighs or legs. Adjust cooking times to ensure the chicken is cooked to the proper internal temperature (165°F/75°C).
2. Add more vegetables. You can add other vegetables to the sauce before stewing. Asparagus, corn, and kidney beans are all great options. 👌
3. Make it creamy. Adding cream to the sauce towards the end of cooking will make it even creamier.

Tips and Notes

1. Remove the lid for the last 5 minutes and cook the braised chicken breasts until they are a beautiful golden brown. 🤎
2. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, transfer the chicken and sauce to a baking dish and simmer.
3. Don’t use too much heat. Braising chicken above 350°F (175-180°C) will cook it faster but may toughen it.

Advance preparation and storage methods

All stovetop steps can be done the day before and stored in the fridge to finish braising the next day. This dish can also be braised, cooled and frozen for up to 3 months. Leftover chicken can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days or frozen for 2-3 months.

What goes well with stewed chicken breasts?

Rice Pasta is always a great choice but this is also great Garlic Mashed PotatoesThe sauce makes a great “gravy” and sometimes you can add vegetables. Parmesan-crusted asparagus or Spicy kidney beans.

Great Chicken Breast Recipes to Try

1. Stuffed Chicken Breasts
2. Marinated grilled chicken breasts
3. Creamy Lemon Garlic Chicken Breasts
4. Chicken Madeira
5. Chicken Tortellini Alfredo