Braised Chicken With Carrots And Potatoes

A complete meal with protein, starch and veggie all in one pot? That’s my idea of the perfect meal! When I’m looking for a simple one pot dinner option, I turn to pizza pasta, chili mac or this simple yet satisfying braised chicken.

I do a lot of one pot cooking. Why is that? The main reason is that by the time I’m done cooking dinner and everyone has finished eating the kitchen is a disaster. At the end of the day the last thing I want to do is spend an hour cleaning the kitchen. So the less dishes, the better. Which is why I turn to recipes like this braised chicken with carrots and potatoes.

How do you make braised chicken?

For this recipe, chicken thighs are browned and then braised in the oven with onion, carrots, Yukon gold potatoes and thyme. The braising liquid is chicken stock and white wine mixed with some smoked paprika and flour. The flour thickens the sauce as it bakes which creates a slightly smoky tasting gravy that makes this dish stand out from the rest. The potatoes take on a creamy texture from being slow cooked in the braising liquid.

Tips for braised chicken

Be sure to choose bone-in skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor. Cut your potatoes and carrots into similar sized pieces so that they cook at the same rate. This dish can be made in advance, then reheated over low heat on the stove top just before serving. I find that the combination of chicken, potatoes and carrots makes for a complete meal. If you’d like, you can add a green salad or french bread on the side for heartier appetites.

How long should you braise chicken?

Chicken thighs take approximately 40 minutes to braise in the oven. Other cuts of meat, such as bone-in chicken breasts, may take longer to braise, depending on the size of the pieces of chicken.

Braised Chicken Variations

This is a basic recipe for braised chicken that you can add other ingredients to for a different flavor profile.

Chicken: Instead of chicken thighs, try bone-in skin-on drumsticks, chicken legs or breasts. Potatoes: You can use red potatoes, purple potatoes or sweet potatoes in lieu of Yukon gold potatoes. Vegetables: I sometimes add other vegetables to the mix such as mushrooms or pearl onions. You can also add a stir a few handfuls of spinach or kale into the finished dish.

Once you try this braised chicken, you’ll find it on your regular dinner rotation! It uses ingredients that are commonly on hand and is sure to be a hit with family and friends.