Mediterranean Braised Chicken with White Beans and Noilly Prat | A Healthy and Flavorful Comfort Food
- Eliane Muskus
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Tender Chicken Thighs and Drumsticks Slow-Braised with Sweet Onions, Creamy White Beans, and a Rich Noilly Prat Sauce — A Nutritious Mediterranean French dish.
Mediterranean Braised Chicken with White Beans and Noilly Prat
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus 1 hour marinating time, or overnight if preferred)
Cook Time: About 50-60 minutes braising in the oven
Total Time: 20 minutes active prep (including searing the chicken and building the sauce)
5 minutes finishing with beans and basil before serving.
👩🍳 TIP: For the best flavor, marinate the chicken overnight. It allows the citrus, herbs, and spices to deeply penetrate the meat, making every bite even more tender and aromatic.
Ingredients:
1 tablespoon honey (my preference, Acacia honey)
1 tablespoon wholegrain or Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
6 garlic cloves (3 minced, 3 whole)
1 small orange, zest and juice
1 kg (2lb 4oz) bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs, drumsticks or whole legs
2 large sweet onions or 6 shallots, thinly sliced
150ml (5 fl oz) Noilly Prat dry vermouth
200ml (7 fl oz) chicken stock
2 bay leaves
A few sprigs of fresh oregano or marjoram
Small bunch of fresh basil, torn
About 250g (9oz) drained and rinsed cannellini beans
Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
Preheat oven to: 190°C/375°F/170°Fan
1. Marinate the Chicken:
Mix together the maple syrup, wholegrain mustard, smoked paprika, minced garlic, orange zest, and orange juice with ½ teaspoon salt and a few cracks of black pepper. Rub the mixture all over the chicken thighs and drumsticks. Cover and marinate for at least 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight for maximum flavor. Let the chicken come to room temperature before cooking.
2. Brown the Chicken:
Heat a splash of olive oil in a large ovenproof casserole dish over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken skin-side down first until deeply golden, then flip and brown the other side. Remove and set aside.
👩🍳 Tip: This is just to give the chicken a bit of color, it's not meant to cook the chicken as this will cook in the oven.
3. Build the Aromatic Base:
Add the sliced onions (or shallots) and whole garlic cloves to the pan. Sauté gently until softened and lightly caramelized, about 5 minutes. Pour in the Noilly Prat and let it bubble for 1–2 minutes to evaporate the alcohol and concentrate the flavor. Stir in the chicken stock and bay leaves.
4. Braise Gently:
Return the chicken to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce. Tuck in the oregano or marjoram sprigs. Cover the dish with a lid or tight foil and transfer to the oven. Braise for 50–60 minutes, until the chicken is tender and cooked through (juices should run clear).
5. Finish the Dish:
Remove the chicken from the dish and loosely cover to rest. Stir the cannellini beans into the onion and vermouth sauce, and warm through gently over low heat for about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning if needed.
6. Serve:
Arrange the chicken on top of the beans and spoon over the sauce. Scatter with torn basil leaves and serve immediately.
👩🍳 Chef’s Notes: Using Noilly Prat for a Perfect Sauce
Use 150ml (5 fl oz) Noilly Prat for a subtle, sophisticated background flavor.
If you want a stronger vermouth note, you can increase to 180ml and reduce the chicken stock slightly.
👩🍳 Important: Always let Noilly Prat simmer for 1–2 minutes before adding stock, to burn off the alcohol and leave only the complex herbal flavor behind.
📌 If You Can’t Find Noilly Prat:
If Noilly Prat isn’t available, substitute with another good-quality dry vermouth, such as Dolin Dry or Martini Extra Dry.
As a last resort, you can use a dry white wine, preferably something crisp like a Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio.
Perfect Side Dish Suggestions:
Lemon and Herb Couscous: Light and fluffy to soak up the sauce.
Simple Arugula Salad: Peppery greens with a lemon vinaigrette for freshness.
Garlicky Roasted Broccolini: Adds a little crunch and color.
Grilled Eggplant and Zucchini Slices: True Mediterranean flavors that pair perfectly.
If you enjoyed this Mediterranean Braised Chicken with White Beans, you’ll love these other Mediterranean favorites too. Try my Greek Lemon Potatoes for a perfect complement, and don’t miss Traditional Hummus for even more fresh and vibrant flavors. Save this recipe for later and share it with friends who love Mediterranean cooking!
