A Perfect French Roasted Chicken
David Scott Allen · Main Course · Poultry · Provencal Recipes · TasteFollow David Allen Scott on his virtual recipe journey of this French comfort cuisine dish and his review of Maria Zihammou’s cookbook. While a primarily renowned region for their abundance of fresh seafood, this classic roast chicken dish could rival those anywhere.
As David’s explains, “This is the first time I have reviewed a cookbook without holding it in my hands, to feel its heft, and how it actually reads with (and without) my glasses.” French Bistro, by Maria Zihammou with photographs by Åsa Dahlgren, is a real beauty, at least in the online proof sent to me by Skyhorse Publishing.
More on David’s delicious journey…

Poulet Bonne Femme
A simple one-pan main course of browned chicken, braised in apple cider and finished with cream.
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken or the equivalent in your favourite cuts
- 2 tbsp flour
- salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp butter
- 100 gr / 3.5 oz pork belly lightly salted
- 10 whole pearl onions if you count mine I used 13
- 300 ml / 1 1/4 cups dry apple cider try fresh from the farmer's market
- 1 bouquet garni sprigs of thyme, parsley & bay leaf
- 100 ml / 1/2 cup cream
- 1 tbsp Fresh Parsley
Instructions
- Divide the chicken into eight pieces. (I used 8 chicken thighs, skin on and bone in.)
- Flour, salt, and pepper each piece.

- Sear them in a pan with half of the butter, so the chicken gets a nice colour all around.

- Transfer the chicken to a large pot.
- Slice the pork belly into small cubes and sauté it in the pan in the remaining butter.
- Peel the onions and add them to the pan when the pork begins to take on some color and become crispy. Continue sautéing until the onion, too, has browned.

- Pour in the cider and bring to a boil, without covering.
- Tie together with cooking twine, the parsley, thyme, and a bay leaf to make a small bouquet garni.
- Place the bouquet garni in the bottom of the pot and cover.

- Simmer for about 30 minutes.
- Add the cream and cook, uncovered, for about 10 more minutes, then garnish with parsley.
- Serve with salad and rustic sourdough bread.
Notes
Serve this easy, satisfying chicken with a crusty hunk of bread, a salad, and glass of wine, I can think of no meal more satisfying.
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 Perfectly Provence articles and other content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten (including translations into other languages) or redistributed without written permission.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
353 Shades of RoséRelated Provence Articles
My Chicken Ispahan Recipe – Inspired by Pierre Hermé’s French Pastry
May 26, 2025
It 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 …
Quick and Easy Coconut Curry Chicken Soup
January 20, 2020
Traditional Provencal cuisine used hyper-local ingredients, picked from the potager (kitchen garden), foraged in the hills, and hunted nearby. In a region where dairy and beef were only available for the wealthy, ingredients such as coconut milk, curry and lime definitely were not part of any cook’s pantry. Today, Provencal menus are hyper-global with chefs …
Provencal Braised Chicken with Cannellini Beans and Chard
November 13, 2017
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.…
Mom’s Dijon Chicken a Dinner Classic in Under 30-Minutes
March 27, 2018
Every cook needs to have a few "go-to" recipes tucked in their apron. These recipes are the ones that you can make without checking to see if you have the ingredients, you know are delicious, and never fail to impress your guests. For me, my mother's Dijon Chicken, a simple baked poultry dish that is ready in under 30-minutes, is a go-to combination.…
No Comment