Delicious chicken Recipes for French Home Cooking
French chicken recipes are some of the most comforting, flavorful and surprisingly simple dishes you can make at home.
From a golden French roast chicken served for Sunday lunch to Coq au Vin slowly simmered in red wine, chicken appears in so many of France's most beloved dishes. There are rustic chicken stews, delicious recipes inspired by Provence and easy one-pot dinners that work just as beautifully on a busy weeknight as they do when you are cooking for guests.
TL;DR
- What is it? A collection of my favorite French chicken recipes, from comforting classics like Coq au Vin to simple roast chicken and fresh Provençal-inspired dinners.
- How you'll make it? Roast, braise, or simmer chicken with fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables, wine, and simple French ingredients for flavorful, approachable meals.
- Why you'll love it? These recipes are comforting, elegant, and easy enough for home cooks. Whether you're making a cozy family dinner or entertaining guests, there's a French chicken recipe for every occasion.
- Cook Method: Roasting, braising, simmering, and one-pot cooking
- Flavor & Texture: Tender, juicy chicken with comforting, herbaceous, and richly flavorful sauces and seasonings.
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
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These are my favorite French chicken recipes from Le Chef's Wife. Each recipe has been tested in our family kitchen and made approachable for home cooks-no culinary training required.
What are the best French chicken recipes?
The best French chicken recipes include Poulet Rôti, Coq au Vin, Coq au Vin Blanc and Poule au Pot. French cooks also prepare chicken with wine, mustard, fresh herbs, seasonal vegetables and simple pan sauces.
If you are new to French cooking, start with a classic roast chicken. If you want something impressive for guests, make Coq au Vin Blanc. For a fresh taste of the South of France, try chicken with Sauce Vierge or my French Riviera Roast Chicken.
French chicken recipes at a glance
| Recipe | Best for | Cooking method | Main flavors |
|---|---|---|---|
| French Riviera Roast Chicken | Sunday lunch | One-pot roast | Lemon, fennel, garlic and herbs |
| Roast Chicken with Ratatouille | Summer entertaining | Dutch oven | Tomatoes, zucchini and Herbes de Provence |
| Super Simple French Roast Chicken | Beginners | Oven-roasted | Butter, garlic and herbs |
| Lemon Thyme Roast Chicken | Family dinner | Oven-roasted | Lemon, thyme and roasted garlic |
| Coq au Vin | Cozy dinner | Braised | Red wine, bacon and mushrooms |
| Coq au Vin Blanc | Dinner party | Braised | White wine, bacon and leeks |
| Poule au Pot | Comfort food | Simmered | Chicken broth and vegetables |
| Chicken with Sauce Vierge | Summer dinner | Grilled or seared | Tomatoes, olives, capers and basil |
| Chicken and Orzo | Busy weeknight | One-pot | Tomatoes, peppers, olives and cheese |
| Chicken, Leek and Potato Soup | Nourishing dinner | Simmered | Leeks, potatoes and herbs |
| Chicken Macaroni Soup | Family comfort food | Simmered | Homemade broth, chicken and pasta |
1. French Riviera Roast Chicken
French Riviera Roast Chicken brings together the sunny Mediterranean flavors of lemon, fennel, garlic, capers, olive oil and Herbes de Provence.
Everything cooks together in one Dutch oven, allowing the potatoes and fennel to absorb the flavorful chicken juices. The result is a beautiful golden chicken with tender vegetables already built into the meal.
This recipe looks impressive enough for a dinner party but is simple enough to make for your family on a Sunday afternoon. Place the Dutch oven directly on the table and let everyone help themselves.
Best for: An effortless Sunday lunch
Serve with: A simple green salad and French baguette
Diet: Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
Wine pairing: A dry Provençal rosé is the natural choice. A crisp Rolle, the Provençal name for Vermentino, would also complement the lemon, fennel and Mediterranean herbs beautifully.
2. Provençal Roast Chicken and Ratatouille
My Provençal Roast Chicken and Ratatouille is a complete South of France-inspired Sunday supper made in one pot.
A whole chicken roasts over a generous bed of eggplant, zucchini, summer squash, peppers, tomatoes, shallots and garlic. As the chicken cooks, its juices season the ratatouille underneath.
This recipe reminds me of the rustic family cooking I experienced in Provence. It isn't about complicated techniques or a long list of fancy ingredients. It is about taking beautiful seasonal vegetables, cooking them well and gathering everyone around the table.
Best for: Late-summer entertaining
Serve with: Crusty baguette and a simple green salad
Diet: Naturally gluten-free and dairy-free
Wine pairing: Serve with a chilled Provençal rosé or a light, fruit-forward Côtes du Rhône. Both pair beautifully with the tomatoes, eggplant, peppers and Herbes de Provence.
3. Super Simple French Roast Chicken
A good French Roast Chicken, or Poulet Rôti, is one of the most useful recipes you can learn.
To a French woman, roast chicken is the culinary equivalent of a little black dress: simple, chic and incredibly versatile. You can serve it for Sunday lunch with friends or make it on a Tuesday evening for the kids.
My recipe walks you through how to get juicy, flavorful meat and beautifully crisp skin without complicated preparation. Once you become comfortable roasting a whole chicken, you will return to this recipe again and again.
Best for: Anyone learning to cook a whole chicken
Serve with: Roasted potatoes, haricots verts or a simple green salad
Le Chef's tip: Let the chicken rest before carving so the juices remain in the meat.
Wine pairing: White Burgundy is a classic pairing, with enough richness for the crispy skin and enough freshness for the delicate chicken. A light Pinot Noir is an equally delicious red-wine option.
4. Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken
Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken is one of our family's favorite variations of Poulet Rôti.
Lemon, fresh thyme and roasted garlic perfume the chicken as it cooks. The meat becomes succulent and flavorful while the skin turns beautifully crisp and golden.
This is the kind of recipe I love to put in the oven on a Sunday afternoon. Before long, the scent of garlic, lemon and herbs fills the house and everyone begins wandering toward the kitchen to ask when dinner will be ready.
Best for: A classic family Sunday dinner
Serve with: Roasted potatoes or French mashed potatoes
Flavor: Fresh, herbaceous and comforting
Wine pairing: Choose a crisp Chablis or lightly oaked Chardonnay. The wine's acidity complements the lemon while its texture works beautifully with the juicy roast chicken.
5. Coq au Vin Made Simple
Coq au Vin is one of the most iconic French chicken recipes thanks to Julia Child and Jacques Pepin.
Chicken is seared and then slowly braised in a rich red wine sauce with bacon, mushrooms and pearl onions. It sounds fancy, but the cooking process is much more approachable than most people expect.
This is a wonderful make-ahead dinner because the flavors become even better after resting. Prepare it earlier in the day-or even the day before-then gently reheat it before your guests arrive.
The result is tender chicken, a deeply flavored sauce and the kind of dinner that makes your home smell like a cozy French bistro.
Best for: Fall and winter dinner parties
Serve with: French mashed potatoes and crusty bread
Make ahead: Yes, the flavor is even better the next day.
Wine pairing: Red Burgundy is the classic choice, but a Pinot Noir, Beaujolais or medium-bodied Côtes du Rhône would also be delicious. Avoid an overly heavy or tannic wine that could overpower the chicken.
6. Coq au Vin Blanc
Coq au Vin Blanc is an elegant variation of the classic red-wine chicken stew.
The chicken is braised in white wine with bacon and aromatic vegetables. The resulting sauce is lighter than traditional Coq au Vin but still rich, silky and incredibly satisfying.
I confess that I actually prefer Coq au Vin Blanc to the traditional red-wine version. The flavor feels a little more delicate while still offering everything we love about French comfort food.
This is one of my favorite French chicken recipes to serve to guests because it feels special without requiring restaurant-level culinary skills.
Best for: An elegant make-ahead dinner
Serve with: Mashed potatoes, buttered noodles or a baguette
Make ahead: Prepare it the day before and gently reheat it before serving.
Wine pairing: Serve with a white Burgundy, Chardonnay or Alsatian Pinot Gris. Whenever possible, choose the same style of wine you used to prepare the dish.
7. La Poule au Pot
La Poule au Pot may be the easiest way to cook a whole chicken.
The chicken simmers gently with vegetables and aromatics until the meat becomes so tender that it practically falls from the bone. You also end up with a deeply flavorful homemade chicken broth.
This rustic French dish requires very little technical skill and is nearly impossible to mess up. It is healthy, nourishing and exactly the kind of meal you want when someone in the family needs a little extra care.
Think of it as a French grandmother's chicken soup.
Best for: A nourishing family meal
Serve with: The broth and vegetables from the pot
Le Chef's tip: Save any remaining broth to use in soups, sauces or risotto.
Wine pairing: The delicate broth calls for a fresh, restrained white wine. Try Chablis, a Loire Valley Sauvignon Blanc or a dry Chenin Blanc.
8. Chicken Breasts with Provençal Sauce Vierge
Chicken Breasts with Provençal Sauce Vierge is a lighter French chicken recipe filled with the flavors of summer.
Sauce Vierge is a fresh French sauce made with ripe tomatoes, olives, capers, shallots, basil, lemon zest, pine nuts and olive oil. It is similar to a Mediterranean salsa and transforms a simple chicken breast into something colorful and memorable.
The sauce requires very little cooking and can be made ahead, making this recipe a wonderful choice for summer entertaining.
Best for: A light summer dinner
Serve with: Quinoa tabbouleh, Salade Niçoise or grilled vegetables
Make ahead: Prepare the Sauce Vierge in advance and spoon it over the chicken before serving.
Wine pairing: A dry Provençal rosé is perfect here. You could also serve a crisp Rolle or Picpoul de Pinet to complement the tomatoes, olives, capers, basil and lemon.
9. One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Orzo
My One-Pot Cheesy Chicken and Orzo is inspired by the flavors of Provence and designed for busy weeknights.
Tender chicken thighs cook with tomatoes, peppers, olives, garlic and orzo before being topped with melted mozzarella and fresh basil. Everything cooks in one pot, including the side dish.
This may not be an old-fashioned French classic, but it uses the ingredients and flavors I associate with everyday cooking in the South of France. It is also one of those dependable recipes that both children and adults are happy to see on the table.
Best for: A busy family weeknight
Serve with: Nothing else-the complete meal is in the pot.
Cooking time: Under 30 minutes
Wine pairing: Choose a dry rosé, Vermentino or light Côtes du Rhône. You want a fresh, fruit-forward wine that can complement the tomatoes and peppers without competing with the creamy mozzarella.
10. Chicken, Leek and Potato Soup
Chicken, Leek and Potato Soup is a simple, nourishing recipe made with chicken, leeks, carrots, celery, potatoes and herbs.
Leeks give the broth a delicate sweetness while potatoes make the soup satisfying enough to serve as a complete dinner. It is especially comforting during the first cool evenings of fall or whenever you want something wholesome and restorative.
Like many French family recipes, this soup makes humble ingredients feel abundant and comforting.
Best for: A healthy weeknight dinner
Serve with: A warm baguette with salted butter
Make ahead: The soup keeps well in the refrigerator and is excellent for lunch the next day.
Wine pairing: Serve with an unoaked Chardonnay or a dry Chenin Blanc. Both are gentle enough for the broth but have enough texture to complement the potatoes and sweet leeks.
11. Homemade Chicken Macaroni Soup
Homemade Chicken Macaroni Soup begins with a whole chicken and homemade aromatic broth.
The chicken is simmered with carrots, celery, garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme and star anise before macaroni is added. Using a whole chicken gives the broth a richness and depth that cannot be replicated with water and boneless chicken breasts alone.
This is the recipe I make when I want to fill the refrigerator with a nourishing meal that the entire family will eat.
Best for: Family comfort food
Serve with: Baguette, tartines or a simple salad
Batch cooking: Make a large pot and enjoy it for several days.
Wine pairing: A crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay will complement the herbs and homemade chicken broth without overpowering their delicate flavors.
What makes a chicken recipe French?
French chicken recipes frequently use wine, butter, cream, mustard, shallots, garlic, mushrooms and fresh herbs to build flavor.
The technique is often just as important as the ingredients. Chicken may be roasted until golden, slowly braised in wine, simmered in broth or served with a simple sauce made from the flavorful juices left in the pan.
What I love most about French chicken dishes is their versatility. The same ingredient can become a rustic family supper, a cozy stew or an elegant dinner-party centerpiece.
The best French herbs for chicken
The herbs most often used with French chicken include:
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Tarragon
- Parsley
- Chives
- Bay leaf
- Herbes de Provence
Thyme and rosemary work beautifully with roast chicken, while tarragon is especially delicious in creamy chicken sauces. Herbes de Provence brings the flavor of southern France to chicken, tomatoes and roasted vegetables.
What to serve with French chicken
Depending on the recipe, serve French chicken with:
- French mashed potatoes
- Garlic roasted potatoes
- Haricots verts
- Ratatouille
- A simple green salad with French vinaigrette
- Buttered noodles
- Crusty French baguette
- Seasonal roasted vegetables such as Roasted Fennel or Tomatoes Provençal
You can find even more ideas in my guide to what to serve with roast chicken and my collection of classic French side dishes.
A simple rule for pairing wine with chicken
When choosing wine for a French chicken dinner, pair the wine with the strongest flavors in the dish, not simply with the chicken:
- Lemon, tomatoes and fresh herbs: crisp white wine or dry rosé
- Butter, cream and mushrooms: Chardonnay or white Burgundy
- Red-wine sauces: Pinot Noir, Burgundy or Beaujolais
- Garlic and Provençal herbs: Provençal rosé, Rolle or Côtes du Rhône
- Delicate chicken broth: Chablis, Sauvignon Blanc or Chenin Blanc
You do not need an expensive bottle. Choose a wine you enjoy drinking, and if the recipe contains wine, never cook with a bottle you would not be happy to pour into your glass.
Frequently asked questions
Coq au Vin is one of the most famous French chicken dishes, in large part thanks to Julia Child. Chicken is slowly braised in red wine with bacon, mushrooms and pearl onions. Poulet Rôti, or French roast chicken, is also an essential part of French home cooking.
French-style chicken is generally prepared using classic French ingredients or techniques. It may be roasted with herbs, braised in wine, simmered with vegetables or served with a sauce made from butter, cream, mustard, wine or pan juices.
Poulet Rôti is one of the easiest French chicken recipes. A whole chicken is seasoned with salt, garlic, butter or olive oil and fresh herbs, then roasted until the meat is juicy and the skin is crisp.
La Poule au Pot is another excellent option for beginners because the chicken cooks slowly in broth and requires very little hands-on preparation.
Coq au Vin Blanc is an excellent French chicken recipe for a dinner party. It looks elegant, can be prepared in advance and has a silky white-wine sauce that pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or buttered noodles.
Traditional roast chicken, French Riviera Roast Chicken, Provençal Roast Chicken with Ratatouille, Poule au Pot, Coq au Vin and Coq au Vin Blanc can all be naturally gluten-free when the stock, wine and other packaged ingredients are checked carefully.
French roast chicken pairs well with white Burgundy, Chardonnay, Provençal rosé or a light Pinot Noir. Serve Coq au Vin with a medium-bodied red such as Burgundy or Beaujolais and Coq au Vin Blanc with Chardonnay or another dry French white wine.
More easy French recipes
If you enjoyed these French chicken recipes, you may also like:
- French Dinner Recipes
- 25 Easy French Recipes Anyone Can Make at Home
- 32 French Dutch Oven Dinner Recipes
- Classic French Side Dishes
- What to Serve with Roast Chicken
French chicken recipes are a beautiful place to begin if you want to cook more French food at home. They are flavorful and impressive, but they are also rooted in simple ingredients, practical techniques and the pleasure of gathering people around the table.
Which recipe will you make first? Please let me know in the comments-I love hearing what is cooking in your kitchen.
Bon appétit!
Anina Belle
Le Chef's Wife
Provençal Roast Chicken and Ratatouille
Learn how to make Dutch Oven Whole Roasted Chicken and Ratatouille in one pot. An easy French-inspired Sunday dinner with crispy chicken and Provençal vegetables.
Super Simple French Roast Chicken Recipe (Poulet Rôti)
This French Roast Chicken, or Poulet Rôti, recipe is so easy to make! The most succulent, flavorful, crispy skinned chicken that looks like it belongs in a magazine.
Lemon Thyme French Roast Chicken (Poulet Rôti)
This Lemon and Thyme French Roast Chicken Recipe (Poulet Rôti m,) with Roasted Garlic is one of our family's favorite dishes. The meat is juicy and tender with the delicate perfume from the lemons, garlic and thyme. The skin is crispy and flavorful.
Coq au Vin made simple
Chicken that is seared, then braised in a rich red wine sauce that infuses it with so much flavor, you will say, "mmm" with every bite.
Coq au Vin Blanc
Coq Au Vin Blanc is a French recipe for a succulent chicken stew made with white wine. Each forkful melts in your mouth and is so flavorful.
La Poule au Pot - the easiest way to cook a whole chicken
La Poule au Pot is a fancy French chicken soup. Juicy, tender chicken meat that falls off the bone in a delicious, savory broth with big chunks of root vegetables. Delicious and healthy!
Chicken Breasts with Provençal Vierge Sauce
These Chicken Breasts with Provençal Vierge Sauce are a delicious way to add some French flair to your menu rotation. Bon Appétit!
One pot cheesy chicken and orzo
One Pot, tender chicken thighs simmered in a Provençal sauce with olives, tomatoes, peppers and fresh herbs topped with melted mozzarella & basil
Chicken, Leek & Potato Soup
Looking for a quick and healthy, yet flavorful, meal in a bowl that is as comforting as a hug from Grandmaman? This Chicken, leek and potato soup is for you!
The aroma from the kitchen will call your family to the table. There is nothing more cozy on a cold day than this hearty soup.
Homemade Chicken Macaroni Soup from scratch
This cozy homemade chicken macaroni soup is like a warm hug in a bowl. This easy recipe uses a whole chicken to make the broth from scratch.
ALL ABOUT LE CHEF'S WIFE
Bonjour! I am Anina Belle. I translate the fancy cooking of my Maître Artisan French Chef Husband, Le Chef, of L'Avant-Garde into easy to make dishes that busy people with no culinary training (like me!) can make at home. We have two young kids (8 and 5) and I run a marketing firm and a non-profit in addition to this blog. I strongly believe that even busy people deserve to eat well at home.
Look inside our Kitchen with this Washington Post Article. We were featured on the TODAY SHOW for our recipes of French Onion Soup Gratinée and Moelleux au Chocolat. You can watch our full segment below.
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