My Chicken Ispahan Recipe – Inspired by Pierre Hermé’s French Pastry
David Scott Allen · Main Course · Poultry · Provencal Recipes · TasteIt may seem strange, but I am not a café au lait fan. However, a hot chocolate (chocolat chaud) in Paris with a beautiful pastry called an Ispahan – now that is a magical French experience. Pierre Hermé created the dessert for Ladurée, the finest purveyor of macarons in Paris (in my humble opinion). It is an exquisite combination of rose, raspberries, and lychee. So, I was inspired to take the Ispahan flavours and create a chicken recipe to pair with Château Léoube’s Singulier rosé. I served the Chicken Ispahan recipe below for Valentine’s Day. However, you don’t need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy this dish and the Provence WineZine wine pairing.
Chicken Ispahan
Inspired by the flavours of the Ispahan dessert (a blend of rose, raspberries, and lychee), this unique chicken recipe pairs beautifully with a Provençal rosé for a truly magical dining experience. Perfect for Valentine’s Day or any occasion!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts with skin (6 ounces each)
- salt
- freshly ground white pepper
- sugar
- 1 pint fresh raspberries
- 4 tbsp lychee purée sweetened (see notes)
- 10 rosebuds dried, about 2 packed tablespoons (see notes)
- 3 tbsp heavy cream (35%)
- 1/2 tbsp butter
Garnish
- raspberries
- edible flowers
Instructions
- Rinse and pat dry the chicken. Season the skin side of the breasts with salt and freshly ground white pepper. Flip them and season the other side with salt, freshly ground white pepper, and sugar. Let sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes. (This is a dry brine.)
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- While chicken is brining, place raspberries (set aside a few for garnish), lychee syrup, and rose buds in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove from the heat, cover, and let steep for 5 minutes. Press through a fine mesh sieve into another small saucepan. Add the heavy cream, stir to blend, and keep warm.
- In an ovenproof skillet, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Pat the chicken breasts dry, then place them in the skillet with the skin side down. Sear for 3-4 minutes, until skin is golden brown. Turn the breasts and place the skillet in the oven for 10 minutes. (see notes)
- Remove from the oven, transfer to a cutting board, and tent with foil to keep warm. Allow to rest for 10 minutes.
- Place a couple of tablespoons of the sauce on one side of two serving plates. Slice the chicken breasts and fan each one onto the sauce. Garnish the plate with raspberries and edible flowers. Serve immediately.
Notes
- I used a sweetened lychee purée that I purchased from Total Wine. It is considered a cocktail mixer.
- You can purchase organic dried rosebuds from health food stores or Middle Eastern/Persian groceries. Make sure they are really fragrant.
- Larger chicken breasts need more time in the oven. Use a thermometer to ensure the chicken's internal temperature is 165°F (74°C).
- You can leave off the chicken skin if you prefer.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
More Chicken Recipes
Roast Chicken with Rosé Cranberry Sauce
While the chicken is roasting, enjoy some cocktail and nibbles with your guests. Make sure to leave enough time to rest the bird after it comes out of the oven. Make the cranberry sauce in advance; it goes well with chicken.
Check out this recipe
Chicken Roasted with Saffron, Rosemary, and Lemon
Really, nothing could be easier to make than a roast chicken. There is very little preparation required, and plenty of time to make your sides while the chicken is roasting. Plus, the bonus is your kitchen will smell delicious.
Check out this recipe
Chicken with Truffles and Mushrooms
Truffles are a unique, rich component that can elevate any dish. This recipe is a surefire way to impress with a meal that tastes like it's straight out of a 5-star kitchen.
Check out this recipeFull-Day Wine Adventure from Marseille: Exploring the Côtes de Provence Appellation
Join us for a captivating day tour as we explore the Côtes de Provence wine appellation! Your adventure begins by unveiling the beauty of Montagne Sainte Victoire, an iconic symbol of the area.
Book this Experience for 2025Legal
All rights reserved. Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission. For usage information, please contact us.
Syndication InformationAffiliate Information
As an Amazon Associate, this website earns from qualifying purchases. Some recipes, posts and pages may have affiliate links. If you purchase via these links, we receive a small commission that does not impact your price. Thank you in advance for supporting our work to maintain Perfectly Provence.
Related Provence Articles
Chicken with Black Truffles and a Mushroom Cream Sauce
January 5, 2022
If you have never tried a dish with fresh black truffles, it’s hard to know what all the fuss is about. Once your tastebuds have connected the earthy aroma and the intense flavour, you begin to comprehend why chefs refer to these fungi as “black diamonds,” among other labels. To me, “black gold” always referred …
Chicken with Saffron and Quince a Fall Recipe
October 6, 2023
Qunice, or coing in French, is a lemon-yellow coloured fruit that looks like a lumpy pear. Although it is a genetic relative to apples and pears, the only way to eat quince is to cook it. One popular preparation is membrillo (pate de coing), a dense, sweet, sliceable paste often served with cheeses in Spain, …
Recipe for Chicken and Truffles
February 15, 2017
Succulent chicken cooked in rich and deep flavoured Madeira, with mushrooms and shallots in a cream sauce decadently adorned with earthy, fragrant truffles.…
Roasted Shrimp and Tomatoes an Easy One Pot Recipe
April 4, 2022
There is no question that my heart is equally split between France and Italy, which is why I run small-group Goût et Voyage tours in both Provence and Tuscany. The scenery is similar, yet architectural and cultural differences make travel in both locations pure joy. However, when it comes to the culinary customs in the …
No Comment