Poulet Monégasque aux Olives et Citron
A flavorful chicken dish inspired by Monegasque cuisine, featuring tender chicken pieces braised with olives, lemon, garlic, and herbs, evoking the fresh Mediterranean flavors of the region.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 lb Chicken thighs(bone-in, skin-on, cut into serving pieces)
- 3 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 large Yellow onion(thinly sliced)
- 4 minced Garlic cloves
- 1 large Lemon(zested and juiced)
- 0.75 cup Kalamata olives(pitted)
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 0.5 cup Dry white wine(optional)
- 3 Fresh thyme sprigs
- 1 Fresh rosemary sprig
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 2 tbsp Fresh parsley(chopped, for garnish)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season generously with salt and pepper.
💡 Tip: Ensuring the chicken is dry helps achieve a better sear. - 2
Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken pieces, skin-side down first, until golden brown on all sides, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- 3
Reduce heat to medium. Add the sliced onion to the skillet and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
- 4
If using white wine, pour it into the skillet and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom. Let it simmer and reduce by half, about 2-3 minutes.
- 5
Stir in the chicken broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and Kalamata olives. Add the fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
💡 Tip: The herbs will infuse their aroma into the sauce. - 6
Return the seared chicken pieces to the skillet, nestling them into the sauce. Ensure the chicken is partially submerged.
💡 Tip: This allows the chicken to braise evenly. - 7
Cover the skillet and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and tender.
- 8
Remove from oven. Discard the herb sprigs. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
💡 Tip: Serve hot with crusty bread, rice, or roasted vegetables.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a richer flavor, you can marinate the chicken in lemon juice, garlic, and herbs for at least 30 minutes before searing.
- ✓If you don't have an oven-safe skillet, transfer the sauce and chicken to a baking dish before placing it in the oven.
- ✓Adjust the amount of olives and lemon to your preference.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add some sliced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes along with the onions for extra vegetables.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the garlic.
- Use chicken breasts instead of thighs, but reduce the cooking time to prevent them from drying out.