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David Scott Allen · Main Course · Poultry · Provencal Recipes · TasteDavid originally made this dish in the middle of the Arizona summer.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!
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