Creamy Juniper Chicken
This creamy juniper chicken is a comforting and elegant dish perfect for the holiday season or any cozy night in. I'll show you how to make a healthy dinner that brings the warm, woodsy flavors of juniper berries, a popular spice used in Polish cooking, to your table in a simple, easy recipe that feels special enough for Christmas dinner.
Servings: 5
Calories: 552kcal
Ingredients
- 5 Chicken breast
- 2 tbsp Butter
- 20 Juniper berries crushed
- 1 tsp Garlic minced
- 1 cup White wine or chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cup Heavy cream
- 4 oz Cream fraiche
- 5 oz Fresh spinach
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. 2. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear it until golden brown on both sides; that golden crust locks in flavor.3. Remove the chicken, then sauté crushed juniper berries, letting them bloom in the butter until fragrant. This step releases the berries' essential oils and builds the base of the sauce. 4. Add minced garlic, chopped thyme, bay leaves, and sauté for 2 minutes. Do not burn it.5. Deglaze the pan with white wine (or broth), scraping up any browned bits. Cook it for 5 minutes.6. Add heavy cream and creme fraiche, whisk it. Bring to a boil.7. Nestle the chicken back into the sauce. Let it simmer gently for 15 minutes until the chicken is tender.8. Add spinach and cook for 5 more minutes.9. Add a splash of lemon juice at the end to balance flavor.10. Finish with black pepper, salt and fresh thyme leaves on top.
Nutrition
Calories: 552kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 50g | Fat: 36g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Trans Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 237mg | Sodium: 321mg | Potassium: 926mg | Fiber: 0.01g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1257IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 64mg | Iron: 1mg