Winner-Winner Chicken Dinner
This chicken dinner is simple for a weeknight meal and special for a weekend gathering meal. With a few quality ingredients you will have a delicious and flavorful dinner. These chicken drum sticks braised in wine, rosemary, and plums will elevate your ordinary chicken meal. Another plus is chicken drumsticks are fairly inexpensive, and if you use a just-good-enough wine you won't break the bank! This is a simplified version of the Italian "chicken cacciatore" with a few less steps to make this a weekly menu repeat! Once it try it, you will want to share it at your next dinner gathering to impress your guests.
Simple Ingredients
The best recipes start with fresh and simple ingredients! Here is all you need for this delicious meal:
- chicken drumsticks
- olive oil
- red wine
- chicken broth
- Italian plums
- tomato paste
- plum jam (if this is too hard to find grape jelly will do)
- shallot
- yellow onion
- garlic
- rosemary
- red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt to taste
Braised Chicken
Braising is a simple technique were you lightly fry your meat before letting it cook, or “stew” in liquid (generally wine or broth), in a covered dish until it is fully cooked. The first part to braising involves lightly frying the seasoned chicken pieces in batches-about 5 minutes a side. This allows the chicken to brown nicely and not fully cook. Set aside on a plate until needed. This process requires only one pot and the result is an incredibly delicious chicken that is both crispy, tender and succulent. After the drumsticks simmer in the rosemary-infused wine sauce they will achieve a rich and complex flavor unique to the braising process.
Chicken, Red Wine, and Plums
The liquid in this braising recipe uses a combination of red wine and chicken broth. The flavor of the wine and the juice from the sweet plums is a match made in culinary heaven that makes this dish unique. The sauce turns into a thick, rich, flavorful combination that is perfect for bread plunging. After braising the chicken for about 45 minutes, the liquid reduces and thickens. This method will create the perfect consistency and maximize the flavor of the chicken and sauce. Before serving I put the pot in the oven and broil for 5 minutes to achieve a perfect crisp on the chicken. Super Scrumptious.
Plum Varieties
The recipe suggests "Italian plums" this plum variety is longer in shape, more tart in taste, and smaller than the typically round and larger plum variety. Any plum variety will work for this recipe. Make sure the plums aren't too ripe or mushy or they will completely dissolve in the sauce.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce that clings to the tender chicken. I serve this meal with a side salad and also made rice for my children. The rice is a great addition for a heartier meal and works perfect to absorb the sauce.
From my cucina to your table. Made with Amore, Elena
More delicious Chicken Recipes HERE
Chicken Braised in Wine and Plums
Braised chicken is succulent and tender with a sweet and savory wine and plum sauce. Take a 15 minutes to prep then relax while the dish finishes cooking without extra fuss. A meal to serve over and over again! Always Made with Amore!
- Total Time: 60 min
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 8 chicken drumsticks (about 3 lbs) seasoned with plenty of sea salt on all sides
- 4 Tbs of olive oil
- 1 cup red wine
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 12 Italian plums pitted and cut in half (if using regular plums use 6 as they are larger)
- 2 Tbs tomato paste
- 3 Tbs homemade or store bought plum jam (if this is too hard to find grape jelly will do)
- 1 shallot, chopped
- ¼ cup yellow onion, chopped
- 2 Tbs crushed garlic
- 2 Tbs fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- salt to taste
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl add the wine, chicken broth, plum jam, and tomato paste. Stir until combined and set aside.
- Heat a large oven safe pot or sauté pan to medium-high heat, warm the oil. Cook the chicken (already salted) until golden brown on all sides, turning the chicken often so that it browns evenly, about 5 minutes per side. Set the drumsticks aside on a plate.
- In the same pot add the garlic, shallot, onion, rosemary, and red pepper flakes (if using). Reduce the heat slightly, and cook, stirring frequently, until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 to 3 minutes. Add the plums and cook an additions 3 minutes. Pour in the liquid mixture from Step 1 over the top of the plums.
- Place the drumstick back in the pot. Do not submerge the chicken completely. Cover with lid, leaving a slight vent, and simmer on low-medium heat for 40-45 minutes. Sit back and enjoy the delicious aroma of your meal simmering in the pot.
- Optional: Right before serving set the oven to broil. Place the pot of chicken and plums in the oven for 5 minutes (watch carefully as broilers are different) to get the chicken skin extra crisp on top!
Notes
Serve with a green salad and warm bread. If desired serve with rice for a heartier meal.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 45 min
- Category: Savory
- Method: Italian
- Cuisine: Italian/ French
Keywords: Chicken, chicken, dinner, braised chicken, easy dinner, plums and chicken,
Selena Maxfield says
We made this for my son is in laws birthday dinner. It was amazing. Everyone went back for seconds and everyone cleaned their plates. The plums were the star of this dinner. We will be making this again soon!
★★★★★
Elena says
Hi Selena! This is a delicious and well-loved recipe in our home as well. I'm happy everyone loved it!
Daniela says
This was the most amazing, flavorful and comforting dish! We had it with a salad and fresh focaccia, so so yum!
★★★★★
Elena says
So happy the family loved it. It is a fall favorite in our home.
Maria Martin says
This dish is delicious. Easy and quick to assemble. Added creamy mashed potatoes under the chicken and it was a great balance of flavors.
★★★★
Elena says
Happy you enjoyed the chicken. It is so flavorful. It sounds super delicious with the mashed potatoes.