Provençal Braised Chicken with Herbes de Provence

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A true French bistro classic where chicken thighs simmer in a rich red wine sauce with fresh herbs, slow-cooked to tender perfection with authentic Provencal aromatics. This french-inspired mediterranean ready in about 65 minutes pairs kilograms chicken thighs, milliliters red wine, medium shallots for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 485 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 45 min Serves 4 French cuisine 485 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Pat 1.2 kilograms chicken thighs dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper, then heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
  2. Step 2: Sear chicken thighs skin-side down for 5 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook 3 more minutes, removing to a plate.
  3. Step 3: Slice 4 medium shallots thinly and cook in the same pot with the remaining oil for 4 minutes until translucent, adding 10 sprigs thyme and 2 sprigs rosemary.
  4. Step 4: Deglaze the pot with 250 milliliters red wine, scraping up browned bits, and simmer until reduced by half (about 6 minutes).
  5. Step 5: Return chicken to the pot, nestling in herbs, then sprinkle 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour over the liquid, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and coats the back of a spoon (3-4 minutes).

Frequently asked questions

How long does Provençal Braised Chicken with Herbes de Provence take to make?

Total time is about 65 minutes (20 min prep + 45 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Provençal Braised Chicken with Herbes de Provence?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep kilograms chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Provençal Braised Chicken with Herbes de Provence?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Provençal Braised Chicken with Herbes de Provence for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Provençal Braised Chicken with Herbes de Provence?

French mediterranean like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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