Herb Roasted Chicken in Creamy White Wine Sauce is a beautifully rustic dish that’s full of rich, savory flavor with a touch of elegance. The chicken is seasoned with aromatic herbs and roasted until golden, then nestled into a velvety sauce made with white wine, garlic, and cream. When I want something hearty yet refined, this dish always delivers.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love how this recipe takes simple ingredients and turns them into something comforting and sophisticated. The herb-roasted chicken has that crispy, golden skin I crave, and the white wine cream sauce is luxurious without being heavy. It’s ideal for a cozy family dinner or for impressing guests — and the sauce is so good, I always serve it with crusty bread or mashed potatoes to soak it all up.
Ingredients
(Here’s a tip: Check out the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
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Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
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Olive oil
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Salt and pepper
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Fresh rosemary and thyme (or dried if that’s what I have)
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Garlic, minced
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Shallots or yellow onion, finely chopped
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Dry white wine (like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
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Chicken broth
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Heavy cream
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Dijon mustard (optional, for added depth)
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Fresh parsley or chives (for garnish)
Directions
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I preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and pat the chicken dry with paper towels. I season it well with salt, pepper, and chopped fresh herbs.
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I heat olive oil in a large, oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat and sear the chicken skin-side down until golden, about 5–7 minutes. I flip and sear the other side for 3 minutes, then transfer it to a plate.
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In the same pan, I lower the heat and sauté the shallots and garlic until soft and fragrant.
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I pour in the white wine and let it simmer for a few minutes to reduce slightly, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom.
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I stir in the chicken broth and heavy cream, along with a spoonful of Dijon mustard if using. I let the sauce simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
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I return the chicken to the skillet, spoon some of the sauce over the top, and transfer the pan to the oven.
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I roast uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp) and the sauce is bubbling and thick.
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I garnish with fresh herbs before serving, and sometimes I add a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness.
Servings and timing
This recipe serves 4 people and takes about 45 minutes total — with 15 minutes of prep and about 30 minutes of cooking time. It’s an elegant, one-skillet meal that’s perfect for any night of the week.
Variations
Sometimes I add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for more texture and flavor. For a richer version, I replace some of the cream with crème fraîche or add a bit of grated parmesan. If I’m using boneless chicken, I reduce the cooking time slightly and keep a close eye so it doesn’t dry out. I’ve also made this with pork chops or salmon — the sauce works beautifully with both.
Storage/Reheating
Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days. I reheat them in a skillet over low heat, adding a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce. The microwave works too, but I cover the dish and heat gently to keep the chicken moist.
FAQs
What kind of wine should I use?
I use a dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, or Chardonnay. I avoid sweet wines, as they can overpower the sauce.
Can I make this without wine?
Yes, I replace the wine with more chicken broth and a small splash of white wine vinegar or lemon juice to keep the acidity.
Can I use boneless chicken?
Absolutely. I often use boneless thighs or breasts for faster cooking. I just reduce oven time to around 15–20 minutes and monitor closely.
How do I keep the sauce from curdling?
I simmer the sauce gently after adding the cream and avoid boiling it hard. Adding the cream off the heat also helps.
What sides go well with this dish?
I love serving this with mashed potatoes, buttered noodles, or crusty bread. Roasted vegetables or a simple green salad make a great fresh contrast.
Conclusion
Herb Roasted Chicken in Creamy White Wine Sauce is a cozy, comforting dish with just the right touch of elegance. With its crispy-skinned chicken and silky, aromatic sauce, it feels like something special — but it’s easy enough for any night of the week. Whether I’m cooking for family or just treating myself, this is a recipe I come back to whenever I want to make dinner feel a little extra.
Print
Herb Roasted Chicken in Creamy White Wine Sauce
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: French
Description
Herb Roasted Chicken in Creamy White Wine Sauce is a rustic, elegant dish featuring golden, herb-seasoned chicken in a velvety garlic, wine, and cream sauce, perfect for cozy dinners or entertaining guests.
Ingredients
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs or breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped (or 1 teaspoon dried)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot or 1/2 yellow onion, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt, pepper, and chopped herbs.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down for 5–7 minutes until golden, flip and sear for another 3 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate.
- Lower heat and sauté shallots and garlic until softened and fragrant.
- Pour in the white wine, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to reduce slightly.
- Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, and Dijon mustard if using. Simmer for 2–3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over top, and transfer to oven.
- Roast uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temperature) and sauce is bubbling.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or chives before serving. Add a squeeze of lemon juice if desired.
Notes
- Add mushrooms or spinach to the sauce for extra flavor and texture.
- Replace some of the cream with crème fraîche or add grated Parmesan for richness.
- Use boneless chicken with reduced cooking time.
- The sauce pairs well with pork chops or salmon.
- Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of broth or cream.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken piece with sauce
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 120mg
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