Napoleon’s Winning Chicken

Napoleon's Winning Chicken
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This dish is a nod to history, inspired by Chicken Marengo, the meal created by Napoleon Bonaparte’s chef after his victory in Marengo, Italy. With tender chicken drumsticks simmered in a rich tomato and white wine sauce, hearty mushrooms, and sweet pearl onions, it’s a simple yet flavorful dish fit for a victorious evening. Served with a vibrant grated vegetable salad and pasta, this meal is wholesome, colorful, and perfect for a dinner inspired by the classics!

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30–40 minutes

Total Time: 50–60 minutes

Napoleon's Winning Chicken

What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

For the Chicken Stew:

  • 10 pearl onions or small shallots, peeled
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 0.66 lbs mushrooms, quartered
  • 3 tablespoons chopped parsley
  • 4 chicken drumsticks
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 0.4 cups dry white wine
  • 1 can whole tomatoes (14 oz)
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Salad:

  • 2 carrots, grated
  • 1 large beet, grated
  • 3.5 oz celery, grated
  • ½ lemon, juiced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Serving:

  • 4 servings of pasta

Tools You’ll Need

  • Large pot or Dutch oven
  • Medium pot (for pasta)
  • Cutting board and knife
  • Grater (for vegetables)
  • Mixing bowl (for salad)
  • Small bowl (for salad dressing)

Pro Tips

  1. Wine Substitute: If you prefer not to use wine, substitute it with chicken broth for depth of flavor.
  2. Add a Twist: For extra richness, stir a tablespoon of butter into the sauce just before serving.
  3. Perfect Pasta: Toss the cooked pasta with a drizzle of olive oil after draining to keep it from sticking together.
  4. Extra Veggies: Add diced zucchini or bell peppers to the stew for even more color and nutrition.
  5. Grated Salad Storage: To keep the grated vegetables vibrant and fresh, toss them with the dressing just before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

  • Chicken Cuts: Use chicken thighs or breasts instead of drumsticks, adjusting cooking time as needed.
  • Vegan Option: Replace the chicken with chickpeas and the wine with vegetable stock for a plant-based stew.
  • Spices: Add a pinch of chili flakes for a slightly spicy version of the stew.
  • Salad Additions: Add raisins or chopped nuts to the grated salad for sweetness and crunch.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

  1. Peel the pearl onions or shallots.
  2. Mince the garlic.
  3. Quarter the mushrooms.
  4. Chop the parsley.
  5. Grate the carrots, beet, and celery, placing them in separate bowls.

Step 2: Brown the Chicken

  1. Season the chicken drumsticks generously with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  3. Add the chicken drumsticks and brown them on all sides until golden, about 5–7 minutes.

Step 3: Add Vegetables

  1. Reduce the heat to low and add the pearl onions, quartered mushrooms, minced garlic, and rosemary to the pot.
  2. Sauté for 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fragrant.

Step 4: Deglaze and Simmer

  1. Pour in the dry white wine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pot. Let it simmer for about 1 minute.
  2. Add the can of whole tomatoes, breaking them up with a spoon, and stir in the chopped parsley.
  3. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
  4. Cover the pot with a lid and let the chicken simmer on low heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Step 5: Make the Salad Dressing

  1. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and black pepper to create a simple vinaigrette.

Step 6: Cook the Pasta

  1. While the chicken is simmering, bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil.
  2. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.

Step 7: Assemble the Salad

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine the grated carrots, beet, and celery.
  2. Drizzle with the prepared vinaigrette and toss until evenly coated.

Step 8: Serve

  1. Plate the chicken stew, including a drumstick, some pearl onions, mushrooms, and plenty of sauce.
  2. Serve with a portion of pasta on the side.
  3. Add a helping of the vibrant grated salad for a refreshing accompaniment. Enjoy warm!

Cooking Times

  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cooking Time: 30–40 minutes

Leftovers and Storage

  • Chicken Stew: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave.
  • Pasta: Keep leftover pasta in a separate container to prevent it from absorbing too much sauce.
  • Salad: The grated salad is best served fresh but can be stored in the fridge (without dressing) for up to 2 days.

Conclusion

Napoleon’s Winning Chicken is a flavorful and comforting dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a family meal. The savory chicken stew pairs beautifully with the earthy and sweet grated vegetable salad, while pasta serves as the perfect accompaniment to soak up the rich sauce.

It’s a meal steeped in history and brimming with vibrant flavors. Let me know how it turned out for you—I’d love to hear your thoughts or any creative twists you added! 😊

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