25 Fantastic French Chicken Recipes

These 25 French Chicken Recipes highlight the very best of France’s elegant and refined cuisine. Slow-cooked dishes with earthy and nutritious vegetables, rich wine sauces, and tantalizing herbs and spices make French food some of the most sought-after in the world. 

We’ve scoured the web for 25 of the best French-style recipes featuring chicken—a lean and versatile protein that shines in these well-balanced meals. Serve alongside our WW-friendly French onion soup and these other classy French-inspired side dishes for a real feast! 

1. French Onion Chicken 

This French Onion Chicken is French cooking made easy! Perfectly moist and tender chicken breasts cooked with onion, thyme, garlic, and mustard are topped with melted gouda cheese, bringing France’s most famous soup together with a light and healthy protein. It’s easy to cook extra portions to enjoy throughout the week, making it ideal for meal prep. Use leftovers in our Weight Watchers French Onion Chicken Casserole or this delightful French Onion Chicken Pasta!

2. Chicken Fricassée

Chicken Fricassée is a quick and nourishing traditional French stew made with browned chicken pieces braised in a creamy white mushroom sauce. This rustic family-style meal is easy to make and it comes together quickly, with just 20 minutes of prep work. It’s a rich, creamy, and aromatic stew with deep roots in French cuisine and great appeal for the whole family.   

3. Coq au Vin

A well-known French dish, Coq au Vin is another traditional French stew featuring chicken slowly braised in red wine (vin) and garnished with bacon, mushrooms, carrots, and pearl onions. Tender pieces of chicken are coated in a rich and decadent dark wine sauce, perfect for a nourishing family meal yet indulgent enough to impress a dinner party. Another great option to make a big batch of and enjoy throughout the week—especially in the winter months! 

4. French Mustard Chicken

Fall-off-the-bone chicken swims in a creamy and flavorful mustard-based sauce in this classic French dish known also as Poulet à la Moutarde. After a quick 15 minutes of prep, pop this dish in the oven to complete its hands-off cooking process. The sauce is creamy, buttery, and fragrant, so be forewarned—you will likely be licking your fingers (and your dish!) Or go the more civilized way, and serve with bread for sopping. 

5. Chicken Normandy

Chicken Normandy or ‘Poulet á lá Normande’ is a French Chicken dish traditionally enjoyed in the fall but delicious anytime. Whole chicken legs are braised in apple cider and brandy and then cooked with onions, garlic, and herbs. The dish is finished with cream, dijon mustard, and fried apples for a luxurious meal with a “Wow” factor in look, taste, and texture. It’s easy to make but will taste like you’ve cooked all day. 

6. Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This rich and nourishing soup uses a French roux technique to give it a thick and creamy texture that is both filling and warming. This winter must-have soup features chinks of nutritious carrots, onion, shallot, and celery along with tender and juicy chicken and nutty wild rice. The recipe is quick and easy—ready in an hour with just 10 minutes of prep—and is so satisfying. 

7. French Style Chicken and Potatoes

This delicious and easy French-style creamy chicken and potato bake is a classic hearty winter dish. Fresh herbs, stock, wine, and aromatics form the flavor foundation of a sauch in which chunks of chicken and potatoes are roasted to perfection. This thick, creamy, and well-seasoned dish is quintessential French cooking, and this easy recipe is great for anyone new to the cuisine.  

8. Chicken Chasseur (Hunter’s Chicken)

Chicken Chasseur or French Hunter’s Chicken is one of France’s most popular dishes, for good reason. Simple ingredients like bone-in chicken, mushrooms, tomatoes, wine, and herbs give this dish a beautiful and complex flavor profile so characteristic of French cooking. While the recipe is very easy to make, it looks and tastes so impressive—you’ll want to keep this one up your sleeve for entertaining guests!

9. French Chicken Salad

This easy French Chicken Salad features bright floral, citrus, and herbaceous flavors that Provençal French cuisine is known for. Tender chicken, celery, green grapes, and crunchy almonds are tossed with a creamy mayo and French Dijon mustard-based dressing seasoned with tarragon, chives, Herbs de Provence, and fresh orange zest. This light and refreshing salad recipe is ready in as little as 15 minutes!

10. Oven-Roasted French Garlic Chicken

This easy, oven-roasted French garlic chicken is infused with garlic, shallots, thyme, rosemary, and white wine. Accessible ingredients are prepped in minutes before cooking to perfection in a casserole dish, for a truly hands-off, one-pot meal the whole family will love. The chicken is tender, saucy, and superbly flavorful. It pairs well with any of your favorite vegetables and grains, and leftovers are equally (if not more) delicious! 

11. Chicken Provencal

This is a lean and light version of the classic Chicken Provencal, featuring chicken breasts, cherry tomatoes, and olives in a light herbed wine sauce. This dish is fragrant and delicate, distinctly lighter than many of the other creamy chicken dishes the French are known for. Fresh herbs and aromatic garlic give the dish great flavor. This recipe is ready in just 40 minutes after marinating. 

12. Classic French Cassoulet 

French Cassoulet is a simple yet delicious casserole made with beans, pork sausage, and chicken breast. Cooked low and slow, this dish is tender and satisfying, plus is packed with healthy protein. A combination of garlic, leeks, onions, and shallots forms a complex flavor base along with dried rosemary and herbs de Provence. Leftovers are good for up to 4 days in the fridge, but the dish freezes beautifully, making it great for meal prep. 

13. Chicken Marengo with Mushrooms

Chicken Marengo is a saucy one-pot dish featuring chicken thighs braised in a white wine, tomato, and mushroom sauce brightened with orange zest. It’s an elegant, restaurant-worthy meal that’s easy to make. It tastes gourmet but not overly fancy, making it perfect for a dinner party. It’s a saucy and comforting crowd-pleaser that’s ready in about an hour with minimal prep. 

14. Chicken Pinot Noir with Wild Mushrooms and Fresh Basil

Chicken Pinot Noir once again utilizes wine as a sauce base, which is a prominent theme in French cuisine. This dish uses light braising to achieve tender and juicy chicken that’s full of flavor, while the mushrooms add a great mouth feel to the dish. Fresh basil elevates the flavor profile complimented by tomato, garlic, oregano, and thyme. This freezer-friendly recipe serves 2, but it’s easy to double (or triple!) for meal prep and dinner parties. 

15. Coq au Vin Blanc

This healthy and delicious twist on the classic Coq au Vin uses white wine instead of red for a lighter and brighter sauce. This simple and quick braised chicken recipe features the usual French suspects of bacon, onion, garlic, and mushrooms simmered in a dry white wine until the chicken is melt-in-your-mouth tender. A splash of cream and fresh parsley completes this masterful dish, which is ready to serve in an hour. 

16. Chicken Cassoulet with Sausage and Swiss Chard

This Chicken Cassoulet with Sausage and Swiss Chard recipe from Skinny Taste is a lightened-up version of this classic hearty meat and white bean stew. This one-pot dish features chicken thighs with the uncommon addition of Swiss chard for a lovely texture that rounds out the dish. Swiss chard pairs wonderfully with both the chicken and white beans. This slow-cooked stew is bursting with flavor and chunks of meat and veggies that will keep you satisfied. 

17. Clementine Roast Chicken with Fennel and Honey

Clementine roasted chicken with fennel and honey is a beautiful winter dish that is both light and comforting. Clementine slices add a wonderful pop of color as well as a bright citrus flavor, which is complimented beautifully by the fennel and honey-infused white wine and lemon sauce. For the best results, you’ll want to marinate the chicken for at least 2 hours, but the cooking is pretty hands-off and takes just an hour. 

18. Creamy Tarragon Chicken and Potatoes

This nourishing dish of crispy-skinned chicken legs and baby potatoes in a delicious white wine and cream sauce is French cooking at its best! Tarragon with its sweet, anise-like fragrance and peppery taste is a perfect herb for chicken and fish. It doesn’t get as much attention in Western cooking, but it’s a French staple for good reason. The sauce is creamy and garlicky—you won’t want to waste a drop! 

19. Country French Skillet Chicken 

This simple skillet recipe requires few, accessible ingredients and comes together in one pan. Dill and sour cream give this chicken dish a lovely flavor and thickness. This lovely dish is perfect served over butter noodles, rice, or mashed potatoes and pairs well with any of your favorite vegetables. It’s quick, easy, and delicious!

20. Wine Harvester’s Chicken

This unique recipe features red grapes, which give the dish a subtle sweetness and lovely texture. Chicken thighs are cooked in a white wine and vinegar sauce with chunks of bacon, and the addition of garlic, shallots, orange zest, and fresh thyme lend a great depth of flavor. The author of this post debates whether this dish has French roots, but the ingredients and cooking style are very French in nature. 

21. Bacon-Wrapped Chicken Breast in Grape Sauce 

This chicken dish is a fresh take on the classic “Cailles aux Raisins” (Quails with Grapes). Chicken breasts wrapped in bacon are served on a bed of creamy grape sauce with crème fraiche, honey, and fragrant sage. The creamy sauce is mildly sweet and tangy, helping to keep the chicken breasts nice and juicy. This dish is as beautiful as it is delicious and makes a great family dinner for everyday or special occasions.  

22. French Chicken and Mushroom Pie

You may be sensing a theme by now that the French are very into pairing chicken with mushrooms, and this savory puff pastry pie is no exception. Transport yourself to the streets of Paris with this flaky pie crust enveloping a creamy filling of mushrooms, bacon, and chicken breast pieces, seasoned with thyme and tangy Dijon mustard. This hearty savory pie is perfect for the cold months and can be enjoyed day or night! 

23. Pot Roast Chicken with Beans

Chicken pot roast or poule au pot is an easy one-pot roasted chicken recipe served over a bed of bacon, cannellini beans, and roasted onions, mushrooms, and carrots. This beautifully golden chicken dish comes together with just 15 minutes of hands-on prep before popping it into the oven to work its magic. This comforting meal makes a lovely family dinner and is perfect for holiday celebrations as well.   

24. Rosemary Balsamic Braised Peach Chicken

For a bit of a different flavor, try this sweet and savory braised chicken recipe with peaches, rosemary, and a balsamic sauce. Chicken thighs are slow-cooked until tender in a honey and balsamic vinegar sauce, flecked with sweet caramelized onions, fresh juicy peaches, and a fragrant handful of fresh rosemary. This delectably saucy dish is simple but elegant, and the flavor combination is out of this world.  

25. Herb and Garlic Roasted Chicken with Fingerling Potatoes

Finally, this simple herb and garlic roasted chicken with fingerling potatoes is a perfect meal for two. The chicken is garlicky, aromatic, and melt-in-your-mouth tender and pairs perfectly with well-seasoned and crispy potato wedges. This simple country-style meal is ready in an hour! Serve with bread, salad, or a simply cooked vegetable for a beautiful Provençal-inspired meal.