13 Best French Chicken Recipes (+ Easy Dinner Ideas)

They may look elegant, but these French chicken recipes are deliciously simple. They’re ideal for a fancy family feast or a romantic dinner for two.

French cuisine is known for its decadence, but don’t let that fool you. These classic French recipes are easy enough to whip up any night of the week.

You don’t need any elaborate Chef skills to make braised chicken thighs and you’ll be amazed at how quickly something as lavish as coq au vin comes together.

So, what are you waiting for? These 13 French chicken recipes are calling your name.

1. Slow Cooker Coq Au Vin

Coq au vin is one of the most well-known French main courses around, but not many people attempt it at home.

Let’s change that, shall we? After all, it’s just a fancy chicken stew!

Every bite is full of rustic, earthy flavors, thanks to the mushrooms, shallots, pearl onions, garlic, and fresh herbs. 

This recipe leaves you with tender, slow-cooked chicken and vegetables, bathed in a red wine reduction.

2. Lemon Garlic Chicken Thighs

This recipe is worth the preparation and time it requires.

While grilling the chicken is not time-consuming, allowing time for the meat to marinade is key to the powerful flavors.

Whether partnered with fresh greens, or your favorite French side dish, you’ll love the freshness of this lemon garlic chicken recipe!  

3. Roasted Chicken Thighs with Garlic

The French influence in this dish lies in the wealth of simple ingredients.

Lemon, butter, herbs, and garlic combine to create a delicious sauce for this chicken recipe. It’s so good, you’ll want to make extra!

If you follow this recipe, you’ll have perfectly roasted chicken thighs every time. 

4. Creamy Champagne Chicken

Champagne chicken is a traditional French meal that is the perfect balance of rich, creamy sauce, and earthy and wholesome mushrooms and chicken. 

Reducing your sauce with champagne or a sparkling white wine adds a subtle sugary note that highlights the rich flavors of this dish. 

5. Poulet Basquaise

The French sure know how to elevate even the most humble of dishes. And this stewed chicken recipe is no exception.

It’s a simple, yet elegant dish of braised chicken and fragrant tomato sauce prepared with attention and a few French cooking techniques.

Don’t worry; it’s nothing you can’t handle!

You can use a whole chicken, or cutlets of your preference, though many French chefs will recommend dark meats for this recipe.

6. Chicken Cordon Bleu

I’m always blown away when a simple dish can take me right back to my childhood.

This chicken cordon bleu does exactly that. 

You’ll layer tenderized chicken, Swiss cheese, and ham before baking in a cornflake coating. 

It’s creamy, juicy, and covered in a pleasantly crunchy and golden shell.

Need something to serve with it? Take a peek at these 12 perfect cordon bleu side dishes.

7. Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken

I love that this recipe simplifies an otherwise complicated dish. Forget the fancy French cooking techniques and just grab your crockpot!

After quickly searing the chicken, it will finish cooking in a bath of wine, cream, mustard, shallots, garlic, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.

Nobody will know you took a shortcut as it tastes just like the authentic recipe.

You could even use the extra time to make a yummy French dessert to round out your feast.

8. French Onion Chicken

You’ve likely had French onion soup before, but have you ever had French onion chicken? 

This recipe has all the flavors of the deeply satisfying soup, only it has the added bonus of tender and juicy chicken.

Take your time caramelizing the onions before preparing the sauce. They’re the star of the show, so you don’t want to rush them.

Finally, bring everything together, cover it in cheese, and broil until it’s bubbly and brown.

9. French Chicken Casserole

This terrific French chicken recipe has the colorful flavors of poulet à la Normande and is baked to tender perfection.

Do yourself a favor and serve it with a silky mashed potato side, and crunchy toasted French bread. 

10. Poulet à la Moutarde (Chicken with Mustard)

In French culture, mustard is a common ingredient in many meals. And in this dish, it’s the highlight of the recipe.

Of course, the mustard is mellowed with savory chicken, bacon, and fresh herbs. You’ll also make a rich and creamy sauce that’s lightened with white wine. 

This is one of those recipes you’ll want to perfect and keep in your back pocket. It’s a show-stopper for sure, but still pretty straightforward to make last-minute.

11. Chicken Fricassée 

This humble chicken dish is full of flavor, thanks to the white wine, garlic, and fresh thyme. But it’s made extra decadent with the inclusion of butter and heavy cream.

By preparing each element of this dish in one pan, the flavors will meld together to create a perfect sauce. 

This chicken fricassée is delightful with rice pilaf and steamed vegetables. 

Or, I like to serve it with simple sweet potatoes fries. Their slight sweetness and light crunch pair so well with the creamy and savory taste of the chicken.

12. Poulet Gaston Gérard

Poulet Gaston Gérard is a traditional Burgundian dish filled with white wine, mustard, cream, paprika, and cheese. 

If you are unable to find Comte cheese, replace it with Gruyere for a similar flavor. 

13. Escalope de poulet à la Normande (Chicken Normandy)

Chicken Normandy is a delectable dish that pairs a perfect onion, garlic, and mushroom roux with a brandy and apple cider cream sauce.  

The ingredients work well together to elevate the individual flavors, creating something wonderfully flavorful and comforting.

This delectable dish stands well without side dishes but can be paired with fresh apple slices and French bread.