How To Make Poulet Bonne Femme

Step 1: Heat the stock

Pour the stock into a saucepan and place it over a moderate temperature. Bring to a gentle simmer

Step 2: Prepare the chicken

Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.

Step 3: Melt the butter

Warm the frying pan over a medium to high temperature and add the butter, letting it melt completely.

Once melted, put the chicken breasts into the pan.

If necessary cook the chicken in batches so as not to overcrowd the pan.

Step 4: Lightly cook the chicken

Gently fry both sides of the chicken until it is golden brown all over. This will take approximately 4 minutes.

Step 5: Remove the chicken

When brown, remove the chicken from the frying pan and put to one side.

Step 6: Fry the bacon

Using the same frying pan with the butter and chicken fat left over from the last stage, add the bacon and cook until crispy.

Step 7: Add the onions and mushrooms

Fry the onions for approximately 2 minutes and then add the mushrooms. Leave everything to sauté for a couple minutes more.

If there is too much fat in the pan, take some out with a spoon.

Step 8: Stir in the white wine

While stirring, pour in the white wine and leave it for 2 minutes to reduce down slightly.

Step 9: Add the flour and hot chicken stock

Gently stir in the flour, and then slowly whisk in the hot chicken stock. When you have finished mixing the ingredients together, turn the heat down to medium.

Step 10: Add the bay leaf and chicken

Put the bay leaf and the chicken in the pan, turning occasionally to ensure that the chicken is cooked through.

At this stage you may want to add more seasoning.

If the sauce gets too thick, add a drop of water to thin it out.

Step 11: Cook for 7 minutes

Leave the chicken to cook through for 7 minutes, turning it in the pan to cover both pieces in the sauce.

Step 12: Add the fresh herbs

A couple of minutes before the chicken is due, sprinkle over the thyme and the parsley.

Step 13: Serve

Serve hot with new potatoes and a vegetable of your choice.

To make the dish richer, add thick cream to the sauce before serving.