Provencal Braised Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Chard
David Scott Allen · Main Course · Poultry · Provencal Recipes · TasteDavid originally made this dish in the middle of the Arizona summer. It’s a time of year when he says, “It’s a vivid statement about our desert weather when one opens the oven door and can’t tell whether it’s cooler in there… or outdoors.”
However, modern comforts like air conditioning and a lucky encounter with the wine representative from Rune Wines (Arizona) encouraged David to turn on his oven to make this Provencal Braised Chicken. The chard and cannellini beans alongside the chicken make for a colourful dish that will have your tastebuds thinking of Tuscany or Provence.

Braised Chicken with White Cannellini Beans and Chard
The recipe was adapted from Cheri’s recipe on My Savory Spoon. The dish could be served just as easily in Tuscany as in Provence. Pair this dish with a deep-coloured rosé such as one from Tavel, or in this case Rune Wines in Arizona.
Ingredients
- 4 large chicken thighs bone-in-skin-on
- salt and pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 large onion diced
- 2 ounces pancetta diced
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 bunch Chard about 1/2 pound
- 1 15-oz can cannellini beans rinsed and drained
- 1 cup chicken broth
- for topping Parmesan cheese freshly grated
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °
- Trim chicken pieces of excess fat and skin, then pat dry and season on both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. When hot add the oil, swirl the pan to coat the bottom, then add chicken, skin-side down, and sear until brown, about 5 minutes.
- Turn chicken and brown the other side, about another 3 to 5 minutes.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium.
- Add the onion and pancetta and sauté until onion is tender, about 8 to 10 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine then add the white beans, chard, and broth.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the chicken pieces, skin side up, on top of the chard.
- Add any accumulated juices from the chicken, top with the rosemary sprigs, and bring to a boil.
- Cover and bake about 25 minutes - up to 30 minutes for larger pieces of chicken.
- To serve, layer chard and beans in soup plates then top with chicken.
- Sprinkle the top with the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
Legal
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.
Previous Post
A Wild Mushroom Risotto Recipe after the MarketRelated Provence Articles
How to Make Croissants and Pain aux Chocolate
February 16, 2018
Croissants are not typically Provencal fare, but you can expect every respectable bakery to present their version of this French pastry for sale. However, if you want to find the good stuff listen to the Parisians debating where to find a decent baguette, the best tarte tropézienne and a croissant that might rival their patisserie …
How to Make Perfect Pizza Dough
March 23, 2018
My two favourites are mushroom with asiago and “tartiflette” with crème fraîche, caramelized onions, potatoes and lardons. When I go to Pizza Phil’s in Bédoin, and when I can’t get it, I make it myself. Perfect Pizza dough recipe (PDF) or print the version below.…
A Perfect French Roasted Chicken
September 12, 2016
A simple one-pan main course of browned chicken, braised in apple cider and finished with cream. …
Pumpkin, Apple and Raisin Curry – a Warming Recipe
October 31, 2016
It’s suddenly very chilly and autumnal, so warming dishes are very welcome. This recipe is especially so because it makes use of some of the colourful pumpkins that are brightening market stalls in Aix. For this, I used a shiny red potiron, but any sort of squash would work. Serve in deep bowls a vegetarian …
No Comment