The rich, creamy elegance of French Chicken Supreme brings restaurant-level luxury straight to your home kitchen. Tender chicken breasts are seared to golden perfection, then gently simmered in a decadent mushroom, garlic, and white wine sauce—topped with a crispy bacon finish. It’s the perfect harmony of texture and taste.
Whether you’re planning a romantic dinner or want to elevate your weeknight cooking, this dish hits the spot. It’s surprisingly simple yet incredibly refined, making it ideal for impressing guests or just indulging yourself with something rich and satisfying. Pair it with mashed potatoes, steamed rice, or a warm baguette to soak up every last drop of that luscious sauce.
Full Recipe:
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4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1½ to 2 pounds)
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1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
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½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
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4 ounces bacon, chopped
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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8 ounces button mushrooms, halved
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2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
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⅓ cup dry white wine
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⅓ cup chicken broth
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1 cup heavy cream
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Minced fresh parsley or chives for garnish (optional)
Directions:
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Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides. Let rest at room temperature.
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In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon until crisp and browned, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
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Pat the chicken dry and place in the bacon fat in the skillet. Sear for 4 minutes per side until browned. Remove to a plate (they won’t be fully cooked yet).
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Add olive oil to the pan. Add mushrooms cut side down. Cook for about 4 minutes until browned and softened.
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Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
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Deglaze with white wine, scraping up brown bits. Cook until wine reduces by half (about 2 minutes).
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Stir in chicken broth and heavy cream.
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Return the chicken to the skillet. Bring sauce to a boil, then reduce to simmer. Cook for 10–15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through (165°F internal temp).
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Season sauce with salt and pepper. Top with crispy bacon and optional herbs before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Kcal: 597 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Introduction to Chicken Supreme: A French Classic Reinvented
Chicken Supreme, known in French culinary tradition as Suprême de Volaille, is a dish steeped in old-world charm yet flexible enough to shine on a modern table. Often associated with fine dining and haute cuisine, this dish traditionally features tender chicken breasts cooked to perfection and enveloped in a luxurious creamy sauce. It’s rich, savory, and deeply satisfying—elegant without being overly complicated.
The term “supreme” in the name can refer to two aspects: the specific cut of the chicken breast (a skin-on, boneless portion often including the wing joint), or the refined white sauce often used in French cuisine, which forms the heart of this dish. What makes this recipe especially appealing today is its adaptability: it maintains all the grandeur of its origins while simplifying the process for busy home cooks.
Why This Chicken Supreme Recipe Stands Out
Unlike many traditional versions that rely on fussy techniques or specialty ingredients, this version of Chicken Supreme is accessible yet indulgent. It begins with boneless, skinless chicken breasts—a common pantry staple—and elevates them with a creamy pan sauce featuring sautéed mushrooms, garlic, crispy bacon, white wine, and a touch of heavy cream. The result is a well-balanced dish that layers textures and flavors: the earthiness of mushrooms, the crisp saltiness of bacon, and the smoothness of the sauce.
By minimizing the preparation steps without compromising on flavor, this dish can go from stovetop to table in just around 40 minutes, making it an ideal weeknight dinner or even a low-effort weekend treat. It’s comforting and elegant, familiar yet just different enough to feel special.
The Role of Sauce in French Cuisine
In French culinary tradition, sauces are not just accompaniments—they are foundational elements of the meal. The “suprême sauce” traditionally used in this dish is one of the “daughter sauces” derived from the classic velouté, one of the five French “mother sauces.” It usually involves adding cream to a velouté base, often flavored with mushrooms, wine, and aromatic vegetables.
This updated version pays homage to that tradition while keeping things practical. The sauce in this recipe skips the roux and base stock typically required for velouté and instead relies on the reduction of wine and broth to achieve depth of flavor. Cream is added at the end to produce a rich, velvety texture. The result is a sauce that clings beautifully to the chicken and serves as the perfect vehicle for flavor.
The Mushroom and Bacon Factor
Two of the most notable flavor contributors in this dish are the mushrooms and bacon. The mushrooms add a robust, umami earthiness that balances the richness of the cream. They are seared cut-side down to maximize browning, which intensifies their flavor.
The bacon—rendered until crispy—is more than just a topping. Its fat is used to sear the chicken, infusing the dish with its savory depth from the very beginning. After being reintroduced at the end, the bacon provides both textural contrast and a salty, smoky punch that brings the entire dish together.
Wine and Cream: Partners in Flavor
A splash of dry white wine adds acidity to the dish, lifting the creamy elements and preventing it from becoming too heavy. The wine is reduced before adding the cream and broth, concentrating its flavor and allowing the alcohol to cook off.
The use of heavy cream, meanwhile, ties the entire sauce together. It softens the brightness of the wine and enhances the savory notes from the mushrooms and garlic. The resulting sauce is decadent without feeling overwhelming.
For those who prefer alternatives to alcohol, a splash of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice can help replicate that essential acidity and brightness, though the flavor profile will differ slightly.
Versatility and Adaptations
One of the best things about Chicken Supreme is how adaptable it is. You can modify the recipe in many ways depending on your dietary preferences or what you have on hand.
For example:
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Use boneless chicken thighs for more juiciness.
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Add herbs like rosemary, thyme, or tarragon for aromatic complexity.
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Swap white wine for brandy or vermouth for a slightly different edge.
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Incorporate other vegetables such as shallots, peas, or even spinach.
You can also adjust the richness by using half-and-half instead of heavy cream or even a splash of milk with a touch of flour for thickening. Each adjustment gives the dish a slightly different character while preserving its essential charm.
Perfect Side Dishes to Pair With
Because Chicken Supreme is such a saucy dish, it’s best served with sides that soak up all that luscious flavor. Classic mashed potatoes are the most popular option, offering a buttery canvas that harmonizes perfectly with the cream sauce.
Other great side options include:
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Steamed jasmine or basmati rice
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Buttered egg noodles
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Creamy polenta
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Smashed or roasted baby potatoes
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Crusty French bread or baguette
For lighter options, consider pairing it with roasted asparagus, steamed green beans, or a simple arugula salad with vinaigrette. These elements can cut through the richness and provide balance.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
Chicken Supreme holds up well for leftovers, making it a great meal prep choice for the week. You can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The sauce may thicken slightly as it cools, but a splash of broth or cream when reheating will bring it right back to life.
When reheating, do so gently over medium heat to avoid curdling the cream. It’s not recommended to freeze the dish as the cream sauce may separate during thawing, which affects texture and appearance.
When to Serve Chicken Supreme
This dish fits just about any occasion. It’s simple enough for a Tuesday night dinner yet special enough for hosting guests or celebrating at home. Its rich sauce and refined presentation make it a great option for date nights, small dinner parties, or even cozy holiday meals.
If you’re looking to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, this is the dish to turn to. Plate it beautifully, garnish with a few chopped herbs, and serve with a glass of dry white wine for the full experience.
Health Considerations
While Chicken Supreme is undoubtedly indulgent, it can be made lighter with a few adjustments:
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Use light cream or Greek yogurt in place of heavy cream
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Opt for turkey bacon instead of traditional pork bacon
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Serve with steamed vegetables instead of starches
It’s also naturally low in carbohydrates, making it a suitable choice for those following keto or low-carb diets—just be sure to pair it with appropriate sides.
Conclusion: Why Chicken Supreme Deserves a Spot in Your Recipe Rotation
Chicken Supreme is a celebration of balance—rich but not overwhelming, simple yet elegant, classic but endlessly customizable. It brings together some of the most beloved ingredients in the culinary world—chicken, cream, mushrooms, bacon—and transforms them into a dish that feels both familiar and luxurious.
Whether you’re trying it for the first time or revisiting a classic, this version of Chicken Supreme proves that gourmet doesn’t have to mean complicated. With minimal prep, everyday ingredients, and a flavor profile that’s hard to beat, it’s a dish that earns a permanent spot on your dinner table.
This is comfort food done right—French-style.