Drunken French Country Chicken Au Gratin

French Tart's Note:

An easy and delicious chicken dish with a few elegant touches here and there! The chicken is jointed (cut into pieces), sauteed and then grilled like a potato gratin in a sauce of cognac, wine, mustard and cheese. Serve this with a crisp fresh salad and pasta, or with seasonal steamed vegetables and rice. You can omit the cognac and wine and use apple juice if you wish - the taste will not be as sophisticated, deep or intense, but the chicken could be served to children this way! An ideal dinner party recipe or Valentine's day meal for two - just reduce the ingredients, or make the full amount and freeze the remaining portions. Recommended wine: Saumur Champigny.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1 whole chicken (jointed, about 2 to 3 kilos in wieght)
• 100 ml cognac (1/3 glass)
• 350 ml dry white wine (1 1/2 glasses)
• 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
• 5 tablespoons creme fraiche
• 140 g grated cheddar cheese (or any other hard cheese such as ( Emmental, Comte, Cantal or Tomme de Savioe)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• 2 tablespoons vegetables or 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon caster sugar
• flour
• salt & pepper

Directions:

1. Roll each piece of chicken in the flour, that has been seasoned with salt and pepper.
2. Sauté until golden in a large frying pan, over a high heat.
3. Drain off any excess oil, then add the cognac and flambé - BE CAREFUL!
4. Add the smoked paprika, white wine and sugar, then mix well and leave to reduce over a low heat for 5 -10 minutes.
5. Add the crème fraîche and 100g of the grated cheese. Stir well, bring to the boil and leave to simmer for 12 - 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Season to tate with salt and pepper, remembering that the flour was seasoned!
6. Arrange the fried chicken pieces in a gratin dish.
7. Add the mustard to the sauce, whisk, then pour over the chicken.
8. Mix the remaining 40g of grated cheese with the breadcrumbs.
9. Sprinkle the breadcrumbs and cheese over the top of the chicken.
10. Grill (broil) the chicken in the sauce for 5 - 10 minutes to brown cheese and give a crusty, golden topping.
11. Serve with crisp fresh salad and pasta or, with rice and steamed seasonal vegetables. Recommended wine: Saumur Champigny.

Reviews

[wicked cook 46]

Quel plat magnifique simple. Made as stated except I cut back on the amount of chicken. And when French Tart says Be careful Flambe she means it LOL I have flambe before but this time WOW LOL I did cook the chicken longer then stated but didn't time it. Plus I sprinkled some Fleur De Sel on top just before serving Served with Pommes Duchesse#365349 and for an appetizer Escargots Gratinés#337715 and a French Baquette for a very nice French meal at home. Made for ZWT 5 French Region for the Zaar Chow Hounds

[conniecooks]

The flavours were awesome, kinda of a BBQ, mixed with paprikash. I did have to bake it for thirty minutes to loose the rawness, and I added some chk stock to keep the sauce from drying up. I covered it with foil for this. Then I put the crumbs on and broiled. I used Gruyere cheese. I made it for my daughter's 39th B'day. There were no leftovers!!!

[Queen Dana]

This was delicious. I used 3/4 cup of cognac and I think that's the perfect amount. The breadcrumbs and cheese (I used Emmental) on top turned into a lovely golden crust. I also added a small amount of chopped leeks. I served this on top of rice. I will definately be making this again.