The Magic of French Comfort Food
If you’re craving the ultimate cozy French stew, you’ve come to the right place. This isn’t just any recipe; it’s a gateway to rustic, heartwarming comfort. Forget complicated French cuisine—this classic chicken and mushroom dish is humble, home-cooked, and incredibly satisfying. Let’s dive into how you can create this comforting masterpiece.
Cozy French Chicken & Mushroom Stew Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 kg chicken pieces (or a mix of thighs and drumsticks)
- 5 slices ginger
- 1 tbsp cooking wine
- 1/2 tsp salt, for marinating
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 20g dried morel mushrooms
- 60g black trumpet mushrooms (or shiitake, etc.)
- 4 cremini mushrooms, quartered
- 2 tbsp cooking oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1/4 white onion, finely chopped
- 1 tbsp minced garlic
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for thickening, optional)
- 1/2 packet porcini mushroom broth base (or 1 tsp salt)
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 tbsp heavy cream (optional)
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Step 1: Marinate the Chicken
In a large bowl, combine the chicken pieces with ginger slices, cooking wine, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and let it marinate for 15 minutes. Then, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour over the chicken and toss to coat evenly.
Step 2: Prepare the Mushrooms
Clean the dried morels and place them in a bowl. Cover with 500ml of warm water and let them soak for 20 minutes. Reserve the soaking water. Clean and prepare the other mushrooms. 
Step 3: Sear the Chicken
Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, skin-side down first, and cook until golden brown on both sides. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
Step 4: Sauté Aromatics
In the same pot, add 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
Step 5: Cook the Mushrooms
Add the quartered cremini mushrooms and stir-fry for about 30 seconds. If you want a thicker sauce, sprinkle 1 tablespoon of flour over the mixture and stir to combine.
Step 6: Build the Stew
Pour in the soaked morels along with their precious soaking water. Add the mushroom broth base (or alternative salt) and black pepper. Stir everything together and bring to a boil.
Step 7: Simmer to Perfection
Add the seared chicken and the black trumpet mushrooms back into the pot. Once it returns to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer gently for 20 minutes.
Step 8: Final Touches
Remove the lid. If using, stir in the heavy cream. Increase the heat to medium-high and let the sauce reduce and thicken to your desired consistency. Garnish with dried parsley before serving.
Ready to create this Cozy French Stew? Follow our recipe and treat yourself to a taste of the French countryside!
