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Rustic Chicken Provençal

Rustic Chicken Provençal

Rustic Chicken Provençal is a comforting one-pan Southern French dish featuring tender chicken thighs simmered with fragrant herbs, juicy cherry tomatoes, and briny kalamata olives. This wholesome, flavorful recipe blends savory and fresh elements for a perfect family-friendly meal that’s effortless to prepare and packed with rustic charm.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

For Cooking

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes
  • 1 cup kalamata olives, pitted
  • 2 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1/2 cup white wine or chicken broth (gluten-free if needed)

Finishing

  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat chicken thighs dry with paper towels. Season generously on all sides with salt and pepper to help achieve a crispy, golden skin and lock in the juices.
  2. Brown the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Place chicken skin-side down and cook undisturbed for 5-7 minutes until skin is golden and crispy. Flip and cook an additional 3 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Build the Flavor Base: In the same pan, add minced garlic and sauté gently until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add cherry tomatoes and cook until softened and juicy. Stir in kalamata olives, fresh thyme, and rosemary, allowing flavors to meld.
  4. Deglaze and Simmer: Pour in white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits. Return chicken thighs to the skillet nestling them into the sauce. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and tender.
  5. Finish with Fresh Herbs: Just before serving, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the dish to add color and a fresh herbal note.

Notes

  • Patience with Browning: Let the chicken skin crisp undisturbed to develop texture and color.
  • Use bone-in, skin-on chicken for juicier, more flavorful results.
  • Fresh herbs provide a brighter taste—use dried herbs early if fresh aren’t available.
  • Don’t skip deglazing; it adds depth and richness to the sauce.
  • Adjust cooking time for smaller chicken pieces to avoid overcooking.
  • To make vegetarian, substitute chicken with eggplant or mushrooms.
  • For a spicy version, add red chili flakes during step 3.
  • Add lemon zest or juice for a bright citrus note if desired.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Sautéing and Simmering
  • Cuisine: Provençal, French
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 5g
  • Sodium: 600mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 16g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 2g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: Chicken Provençal, Rustic Chicken, French Chicken Recipe, One-Pan Chicken, Southern French Cuisine, Gluten Free Dinner