Easy & Flavorful Chicken Marengo Recipe for Cozy Home Dinners

Napoleon’s favorite chicken marengo tells a delicious story of culinary improvisation during a historic campaign.

Soldiers often created meals from limited ingredients across battlefields.

Resourceful chefs crafted this iconic dish when supplies ran low in northern Italy.

Classic combinations of tomatoes, herbs, and tender chicken pieces reflect clever cooking under pressure.

Wild mushrooms and crisp garlic add depth to this rustic recipe.

Mediterranean flavors burst through each carefully seasoned bite.

Come hungry and ready to experience a legendary meal that survived the test of time.

Why Delia Smith Chicken Marengo Is A Tasty Classic

• Savor Flavor-Packed Simplicity: This chicken marengo delivers rich, deep flavors without complicated techniques, making it perfect for home cooks seeking delicious meals with minimal effort.
• Master One-Pot Convenience: By using a single casserole dish, you'll minimize kitchen cleanup and maximize cooking efficiency, allowing more time to enjoy your meal with family or friends.
• Embrace Versatile Comfort: Adaptable to various side dishes like rice, pasta, or crusty bread, this recipe provides flexible dining options that suit different preferences and meal occasions.
• Celebrate Hearty Nutrition: Packed with protein from chicken and nutrients from mushrooms and herbs, this dish offers a balanced meal that satisfies hunger and supports wholesome eating.

What You Need For Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

• Chicken Legs: Tender meat that becomes rich and flavorful when slow-cooked in the sauce.

• Mushrooms: Adds earthy depth and a soft texture to the chicken dish.

• Passata: Smooth tomato sauce that creates a rich and slightly tangy base for the chicken.
• Stock Cube: Provides additional depth of flavor and enhances the overall savory profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds a mild spicy kick and complements the chicken and tomato sauce.
• Olives: Introduces a briny and slightly salty element to the dish.
• Parsley: Fresh herb that brings a bright, clean finish to the recipe.

• Oil: Helps to brown the chicken and prevent sticking to the pan.

Cooking Instructions For Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Vessel

Heat olive oil in a large, heavy-bottomed casserole dish over medium heat, creating a perfect base for your flavorful chicken dish.

Step 2: Sauté Mushroom Magic

Add sliced mushrooms to the hot pan, cooking them until they become tender and release their delicious earthy aroma, which typically takes about 5 minutes.

Step 3: Brown the Chicken

Carefully place chicken legs into the pan, allowing them to develop a golden-brown crust on both sides. This step helps seal in the juices and create a rich, deep flavor.

Step 4: Create the Sauce Base

Pour in smooth passata sauce and crumble a rich stock cube into the mixture, stirring gently to combine all the wonderful flavors.

Step 5: Add Zesty Flavor Boosters

Incorporate briny olives into the dish and sprinkle freshly ground black pepper to enhance the overall taste profile.

Step 6: Slow Simmer to Perfection

Cover the casserole dish and let the chicken simmer gently for 40 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and the meat to become incredibly tender.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

Finish the dish by scattering freshly chopped parsley on top. Serve alongside your favorite side dishes like crusty bread, rice, or roasted vegetables.

Helpful Tips For Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

• Boost Mushroom Flavor: Sauté mushrooms in butter before adding to the dish for a richer, deeper taste.
• Prevent Dry Chicken: Choose skin-on chicken legs to keep the meat moist and tender during cooking.
• Enhance Sauce Depth: Add a splash of red wine while simmering to create a more complex, robust flavor profile.
• Skip High Salt: Use low-sodium stock cube or homemade stock to control salt content and maintain healthier preparation.
• Make It Fresh: Chop parsley just before serving to maximize its bright, aromatic qualities and vibrant green color.

Twists You Can Add To Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

• Seafood Marengo: Replace chicken legs with white fish fillets or shrimp for a lighter protein option.
• Vegetarian Marengo: Swap chicken for firm tofu or chunky portobello mushrooms to create a plant-based version.
• Low-Carb Marengo: Reduce passata and serve over cauliflower rice instead of traditional sides for fewer carbohydrates.
• Mediterranean Herb Marengo: Add fresh rosemary, thyme, and extra garlic to enhance the traditional Italian flavor profile.

What To Serve With Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

• Elevate Rustic Flavor Profile: Pair this hearty Chicken Marengo with a medium-bodied red wine like Côtes du Rhône, which complements the rich tomato and olive notes while balancing the dish's robust chicken flavors.
• Match Mediterranean Vibes: Serve alongside crusty sourdough bread to soak up the delicious sauce, creating a perfect textural contrast and allowing diners to enjoy every last drop of the savory cooking liquid.
• Create Balanced Side Harmony: Prepare a light, crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette to cut through the dish's richness, adding freshness and providing a zesty counterpoint to the deep, slow-cooked chicken.

Storage Instructions For Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Cool completely before sealing to prevent bacterial growth. Keeps fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer chicken marengo to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Freezes well for up to 3 months. Label with date and contents.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish. Cover with damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, stirring halfway through. Check internal temperature reaches 74°C (165°F).
• Pour chicken marengo into a skillet. Add splash of water or chicken broth to prevent drying.

FAQs About Delia Smith Chicken Marengo

• What is the origin of Chicken Marengo?

The dish is named after Napoleon Bonaparte’s victory at the Battle of Marengo in 1800, originally created by his chef using ingredients found on the battlefield.

• Can I use chicken breasts instead of legs?

Yes, chicken breasts work well, but legs provide more flavor and tenderness due to higher fat content.

• Is this a traditional French or Italian recipe?

It’s a French dish with Italian influences, combining classic cooking techniques from both cuisines.

• How can I make this recipe more authentic?

Use high-quality passata, fresh parsley, and ensure you brown the chicken properly for deep, rich flavor.

Chicken Marengo Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Classic chicken marengo emerges as a rustic French culinary treasure born from Napoleon’s battlefield triumph. Succulent chicken, tomatoes, and olives combine in a hearty one-pan marvel that connects you to historical French kitchen traditions.

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Ingredients

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Main Proteins:

• 4 chicken legs, skin removed

Vegetables and Fungi:

• 300 grams (10.5 ounces) cup mushrooms, halved
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) pitted black kalamata olives

Sauces and Seasonings:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 500 grams (17.6 ounces) jar garlic and herb passata
• 1 chicken stock cube

Garnish and Serving Suggestions:

• Chopped parsley
• Pasta and a salad, or mash and green vegetables

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Instructions

1. Warm olive oil in a spacious casserole pot over medium-high temperature, creating a sizzling cooking surface.
2. Introduce sliced mushrooms to the pan, sautéing until they release moisture and become tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
3. Carefully place chicken legs into the pan, allowing them to develop a golden-brown exterior by cooking each side until richly caramelized.
4. Stream passata sauce into the dish, simultaneously crumbling the stock cube to infuse deep, robust flavor throughout the sauce.
5. Incorporate briny olives into the mixture, seasoning generously with freshly ground black pepper for an enhanced taste profile.
6. Secure the casserole lid, reducing heat to a gentle simmer and allowing the chicken to braise slowly for 35-40 minutes, ensuring meat becomes exceptionally tender and sauce develops complexity.
7. Once cooking completes, garnish with freshly chopped parsley for a vibrant finish, presenting the dish alongside complementary side accompaniments like crusty bread or roasted vegetables.

Notes

• Use a heavy-bottomed casserole dish to ensure even heat distribution and prevent burning.
• Pat chicken legs dry before browning to achieve a nice golden-brown exterior with maximum flavor development.
• Choose high-quality passata for a richer, more authentic tomato base that enhances the overall dish.
• For a lighter version, swap chicken legs with skinless chicken breasts and reduce cooking time to prevent drying out.
• Experiment with different olive varieties like Kalamata or green olives to add complexity to the sauce.
• Fresh parsley adds a vibrant, fresh finish – chop just before serving to maintain maximum flavor and color.
• If watching sodium intake, use low-sodium stock cube or replace with homemade chicken stock.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Simmering
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 360 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 12 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg