JB’s Hen au Poivre (Creamy Peppercorn Sauce)

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JB’s Hen au Poivre (Creamy Peppercorn Sauce)

Impressed by Steak au Poivre, considered one of my all-time favourites. This recipe has the identical creamy peppercorn sauce with brandy and cream, simply swapped for golden hen. “Hen au poivre” is an ideal fast mid-week dinner with a French accent!

Chicken au poivre - French chicken with creamy peppercorn sauce

I like this one! JB’s chef-y touches actually shine – fancy dinner feels on a Monday evening finances because of this extra inexpensive hen spin on the basic steak model. All of the bistro vibes, not one of the steak price ticket. 🙌
Not profitable a lot on the “take a look at us fortunately making this collectively” picture…. they had been all horrible!😅

Hen au Poivre

It’s been an emotional time right here as we’ve mentioned goodbye to our beloved Dozer, whose mild presence was a part of our day by day kitchen life. With grateful hearts for the love and assist from the RecipeTin Eats neighborhood, we’re slowly discovering consolation in being again the place he liked us most, the kitchen.

In the present day I’m sharing Hen au Poivre. Impressed by the much-loved Steak with Creamy Peppercorn Sauce (Steak au Poivre), a dish lots of you already know and adore, and one I cooked numerous occasions in eating places over time. Peppery, creamy, deeply savoury, and splendidly easy. Only a handful of substances, nothing fancy, and but a lot flavour. And keep in mind that brandy from Hen Chasseur? We’re going to use it within the sauce at the moment – I instructed you we had been going to place it to good use! 😊

Substances

Here’s what you want – only a few key substances to create this restaurant dish at residence.

Hen breast – You solely want two hen breasts right here, sliced horizontally to make 4 even items, excellent for serving 4 if the breasts are on the bigger aspect. Boneless hen thigh fillets work simply as effectively. In the event you go together with thighs, I recommend frivolously pounding them to even out the thickness and offer you a flatter floor, which helps them pan-fry extra evenly.
Brandy – Similar to with Hen Chasseur, that is what makes it an genuine “au poivre sauce” slightly than every other creamy sauce. No must get fancy, I take advantage of a cheap brandy. There’s completely no motive to succeed in for a dear one when cooking. As soon as it hits the pan, the cruel edge cooks off, and also you’re left with that beautiful heat and depth of flavour. A lot of the alcohol evaporates, however in case you don’t devour alcohol, you’ll be able to depart it out. You’ll nonetheless find yourself with beautiful pepper sauce, it simply received’t be an “au poivre sauce”.
Beef inventory / broth – We use beef inventory as an alternative of hen inventory as a result of it brings a deeper flavour and a extra strong depth to the sauce. If in case you have the time, it’s effectively price treating your self to a do-it-yourself beef inventory, it actually elevates the entire dish.
Cream – As a result of we’re making a creamy sauce! Use thickened / heavy cream, the sauce will thicken quicker, and it received’t curdle when simmering on the range.
Black peppercorns – crushed by hand utilizing a mortar and pestle provides you a more energizing and a bolder pepper flavour with extra aroma and mild warmth. Way more character than pre-cracked pepper however that mentioned, it’s completely tremendous to make use of pre-cracked if that’s what you’ve got.

How To Make Hen au Poivre

In a fast abstract – the hen is seared first then put apart to relaxation whereas the sauce is made in the identical pan. Then we place the hen again into the sauce to heat it for serving.

1. Put together and sear the hen

Put together the hen – Lower every hen breast in half horizontally to make 4 skinny steaks. Season each side with salt solely (the sauce brings loads of pepper later).
Sear – Warmth the oil in a big pan (28cm / 11″) over excessive warmth. Cook dinner the hen for two–3 minutes per aspect till golden, then switch to a plate. Depart it uncovered.

2. Making the sauce

Deglaze – Flip the warmth off, then fastidiously pour within the brandy. Watch out, it should sizzle exhausting, that’s regular. Let it bubble for 20–30 seconds to let the alcohol burn off, scraping the bottom of the pan to launch all of the flavour.
Pour within the beef inventory – Return the pan to excessive warmth. Add the meat inventory and simmer quickly for about 4 minutes, till lowered by half.

Cream and pepper – Stir within the cream and crushed pepper.
Thicken sauce – Simmer for 3-4 minutes on medium excessive, stirring and scraping the edges of the pan because the sauce reduces. It ought to be thick sufficient to frivolously coat a spoon.

Return the hen into the sauce and any resting juices on the plate.
End – Decrease the warmth to medium. Simmer gently for two–3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the hen till it’s warmed by means of and the sauce darkens in color and thickens slightly extra. Remember the fact that some stoves run stronger than others. If the warmth is gentler, the sauce might take slightly longer to cut back, so simply enable a bit of additional time.

How To Serve Hen au Poivre

Serve Hen au Poivre straight from the pan whereas the sauce is scorching and shiny. Spoon that peppery cream sauce generously over the hen, and pair it with potato, it received to be! In the event you really feel fancy and also you’ve received the time, attempt Pommes Anna, Fondant Potatoes or one thing less complicated like Mash or Roasted Potato. Greens are additionally an ideal match, attempt Sautéed Inexperienced Beans with Garlic or Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms. And why not some Grilled Garlic Bread to be sure you received’t waste any of that lovely sauce!

And with that, one other French-inspired favorite achieved and dusted. A easy adaptation with large flavour, constituted of a handful of substances. Precisely the type of recipe you’ll fortunately cook dinner many times at residence. Bon appétit! – JB