The Coziest Light Chicken Blanquette Recipe with Mushrooms & Carrots

Cooking a delightful light chicken blanquette with mushrooms and carrots always brings warmth to my kitchen.

French culinary traditions inspire this classic comfort dish that feels both elegant and homey.

Tender chicken pieces nestled in a creamy white sauce create pure magic on your plate.

Delicate mushrooms and sweet carrots complement the gentle flavors of this traditional recipe.

Seasonal vegetables and gentle simmering make this meal something special for weeknight dinners.

Fragrant herbs and a velvety sauce promise a delicious experience you won’t soon forget.

Follow along to craft this delectable French classic that will impress everyone at your table.

Chicken Blanquette That’s Light but Full of Flavor

• Quickly Elevate Weeknight Dinners: This light chicken blanquette transforms ordinary ingredients into an elegant meal with minimal effort, making gourmet cooking accessible for busy home chefs.
• Minimal Ingredient Magic: Using just a few pantry staples like chicken, vegetables, and basic seasonings, you can create a restaurant-quality dish without complicated techniques or expensive components.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: The creamy, mild sauce and tender chicken pieces make this recipe universally appealing, perfect for pleasing both picky eaters and sophisticated palates at the dinner table.
• Time-Efficient Cooking: From start to finish, this one-pot wonder takes approximately 30-40 minutes, allowing you to prepare a delicious, nutritious meal without spending hours in the kitchen.

Chicken Blanquette with Mushrooms Ingredients

• Chicken: Lean protein that forms the base of the dish, choose boneless and skinless chicken pieces for a lighter version.
• Chicken Broth: Adds depth and moisture to the sauce, low-sodium options are recommended for better health control.

• Onion, Garlic: Aromatic base that creates flavor foundation, fresh and firm produce ensures best taste.
• Carrots, Mushrooms: Adds texture and nutrition, seasonal and fresh vegetables enhance overall dish quality.

• Olive Oil: Used for initial cooking and sautéing, extra virgin provides richer flavor.
• Flour: Thickens the sauce and creates smooth consistency, all-purpose flour works best.
• Thyme, Bay Leaf: Provides herbal undertones and complexity, dried herbs are acceptable if fresh are unavailable.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhances overall flavor profile, freshly ground black pepper recommended.
• Cream or Milk: Creates rich and creamy sauce texture, whole milk or light cream preferred for lighter version.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright garnish that adds color and fresh herbal note.

Chicken Blanquette Cooking Steps

Step 1: Sizzle The Chicken

Brown chicken pieces in a large pot with olive oil over medium heat until golden, about 5-7 minutes.

Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate and set aside.

Step 2: Awaken The Aromatics

In the same pot, sauté diced onions and minced garlic until they become soft and fragrant, releasing their delightful flavors for 3-4 minutes.

Step 3: Dance With Vegetables

• Carrots
• Mushrooms

Cook these veggies until they start to soften and develop rich, caramelized edges, approximately 5 minutes.

Step 4: Create A Silky Base

Sprinkle flour over the vegetables, stirring thoroughly to ensure an even, smooth coating.

Allow this mixture to cook for 2 minutes, developing a subtle nutty aroma.

Step 5: Build The Liquid Foundation

Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking continuously to prevent any lumpy textures.

• Fresh thyme
• Bay leaf

Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer.

Step 6: Reunite And Simmer

Return browned chicken pieces to the pot.

Let everything simmer peacefully for 10-15 minutes until chicken is perfectly cooked and vegetables reach tender perfection.

Step 7: Enrich With Creaminess

Stir in cream or milk, seasoning with salt and pepper.

Continue simmering for 5 additional minutes until sauce reaches a luxurious, velvety consistency.

Step 8: Final Touch

Remove and discard bay leaf.

Step 9: Serve With Flair

Plate your chicken blanquette over fluffy rice or alongside crusty bread.

Garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a pop of color and freshness.

Light Cooking Advice For Chicken Blanquette

• Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs for even cooking and easier eating.
• Slice mushrooms uniformly to ensure consistent texture and prevent uneven cooking.
• Sift flour before sprinkling to prevent clumping and create a smoother, lump-free sauce.
• Swap heavy cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat milk for a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
• Add fresh parsley or chives at the end for a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green garnish.

Making Blanquette Leftovers Last

• Store leftover Chicken Blanquette in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping it fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
• Transfer cooled chicken blanquette to freezer-safe containers, sealing tightly to prevent freezer burn. Enjoy frozen meals within 2-3 months for best quality.
• Gently warm the dish in a saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. Add a splash of chicken broth to restore sauce consistency.
• Place portion in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each to ensure even warming.

Chicken Blanquette Complements

• Pair with Crisp White Wine: Select a chardonnay or sauvignon blanc to complement the light, creamy sauce and enhance the delicate chicken flavors.
• Match with Herbed Rustic Bread: Choose a crusty artisan bread with herbs to soak up the rich sauce and provide a textural contrast to the tender chicken and soft vegetables.
• Create a Fresh Side Salad: Prepare a light green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the creaminess and add a bright, tangy element to the meal.
• Serve with Buttery Mashed Potatoes: Whip creamy potatoes with a touch of butter and chives to provide a smooth, comforting base that absorbs the blanquette's delicious sauce.

Chicken Blanquette With Vegetable Variations

• Vegan Veggie Blanquette: Replace chicken with firm tofu or seitan, using vegetable broth and coconut cream for a plant-based version that maintains the creamy texture and rich flavor profile.
• Gluten-Free Comfort Blanquette: Substitute regular flour with cornstarch or rice flour, ensuring the sauce remains smooth while accommodating gluten-sensitive individuals without compromising taste.
• Low-Carb Protein Blanquette: Swap carrots for cauliflower or zucchini, use almond flour instead of wheat flour, and serve over cauliflower rice to create a keto-friendly meal that's light and satisfying.
• Mediterranean Herb Blanquette: Enhance the dish with additional herbs like rosemary and oregano, add green olives, and finish with a sprinkle of lemon zest for a bright, Mediterranean-inspired variation that brings new depth to the classic recipe.

FAQs

• What is a blanquette in French cuisine?

A blanquette is a classic French stew where meat is cooked in a white, creamy sauce, traditionally made with veal but now often prepared with chicken or other meats.

• Why do you brown the chicken first?

Browning the chicken before simmering helps develop deeper flavor by creating a caramelized exterior that adds rich, complex taste to the final dish.

• Can I use different types of mushrooms?

Yes, you can substitute button mushrooms with cremini, shiitake, or oyster mushrooms to add variety and unique flavor profiles to the blanquette.

• Is this dish considered healthy?

This light chicken blanquette is relatively healthy, using lean protein, vegetables, and a modest amount of cream, making it a balanced and nutritious meal option.

Light Chicken Blanquette with Mushrooms and Carrots Recipe

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• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Delicate French classic Chicken Blanquette dances with creamy white sauce, tender chicken, and earthy mushrooms. Gentle simmering creates a comforting dish that welcomes you to savor each luxurious, velvety spoonful of traditional French elegance.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces

Vegetables:

• 2 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced

Liquid and Seasoning:

• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup low-fat cream or whole milk
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon flour (or cornstarch for a gluten-free option)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

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Instructions

1. Initiate the culinary process by searing chicken pieces in a large pot with olive oil, achieving a golden-brown exterior across all surfaces while developing rich, caramelized flavors.
2. Transfer the beautifully browned chicken to a separate plate, preserving the flavorful cooking residue in the pot.
3. Introduce diced onions and minced garlic into the same pot, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence, creating a fragrant base for the dish.
4. Incorporate sliced mushrooms and chopped carrots, sautéing them until they become slightly tender and begin to release their natural sweetness.
5. Delicately dust the vegetable mixture with flour, gently stirring to ensure an even coating that will help thicken the forthcoming sauce.
6. Slowly pour chicken broth into the pot, whisking continuously to prevent any potential lumps from forming, and add thyme and bay leaf to infuse deep, herbaceous notes.
7. Carefully reintroduce the seared chicken pieces into the simmering liquid, allowing them to cook gently until thoroughly done and perfectly tender.
8. Enrich the sauce by streaming in cream, creating a luxurious texture while seasoning with salt and pepper to elevate the overall flavor profile.
9. Eliminate the bay leaf and finish the blanquette by allowing the sauce to reduce and reach a velvety consistency.
10. Present the elegant chicken blanquette atop a bed of fluffy rice or accompanied by crusty bread, garnishing with fresh parsley for a vibrant touch.

Notes

• Prep proteins carefully to ensure even cooking and prevent dryness, letting chicken rest briefly after browning helps retain moisture.
• Select fresh, high-quality mushrooms like cremini or button varieties for maximum flavor and tender texture in the dish.
• Adjust cream or milk proportions for lighter versions – use low-fat milk or Greek yogurt as healthier alternatives without compromising creamy consistency.
• For gluten-free adaptation, replace wheat flour with cornstarch or arrowroot powder to maintain sauce thickness and achieve smooth, silky texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg