On the weekends, I love spending hours experimenting in the kitchen (I can’t wait to share the soft pretzels I made recently – they’re PERFECT!) but when it comes to weeknight meals, I can be incredibly lazy.I just don’t have the time or energy to cook anything too involved. That’s why recipes like this 30-minute Bistro Chicken are some of my favorites. It’s so easy to make and – since everything cooks in the same pot – it’s easy to clean up.
Chicken thighs are one of my weeknight staples. As long as you buy small ones (about a quarter pound each) they cook up really quickly. I like to crisp up the skin on the stove before adding tons of vegetables and finishing the whole thing in the oven. If you take advantage of the time it takes for the chicken skin to brown to prepare the vegetables, you only need to be in the kitchen for about 10 minutes – which gives you 20 minutes to sit down and put your feet up.
For this Bistro Chicken, inspired by a special they ran recently at one of my favorite restaurants, I add crispy pancetta, tons of shallots, mushrooms, and carrots. It all cooks together with chicken stock that ends up being a delicious sauce that gets finished with mustard and a splash of cream. It’s delicious (and filling) on it’s own, but it’s even better if you have some mashed cauliflower to soak up the extra sauce.
Since the ingredients in this recipe are so simple, it’s important to use a good quality stock – I used Perdue’s new Signature chicken stock, which comes refrigerated (look for it near the chicken) and doesn’t contain any preservatives or artificial flavors. Since the chicken and pancetta are pretty salty on their own, I opted for the reduced sodium version which worked out perfectly.
Disclosure: I received PERDUE® Signature Chicken Stock from Perdue in conjunction with a sponsored social media campaign through Sunday Supper LLC. All opinions are my own.
Joy says
12/31 at 10:41 pmI made this tonight with a few modifications. My husband said it needs to be added to the menu rotation. Deliciousness!! Thanks for sharing.
Lauren Keating says
01/03 at 6:51 pmI’m so glad you liked it!
Danielle says
12/21 at 9:30 pm
Coleen @ The Redhead Baker says
11/17 at 8:13 pmWow, what a gorgeous meal! I never would’ve thought that could be ready in 30 minutes!
Sarah Walker Caron (Sarah's Cucina Bella) says
11/16 at 10:17 pmThat looks amazing. And I am just like you — I get so lazy with cooking on weekdays. This looks perfect for a busy night meal.
Kim Beaulieu says
11/14 at 3:21 amThis is right up my alley. We eat chicken thighs like they’re going out of style. These look delish.
Ginny McMeans says
11/13 at 11:43 pmI love these kind of dinner meals. One pot and you can rest in between. 🙂 Looks delicious!
Bernadette @Rants From My Crazy Kitchen says
11/13 at 8:44 pmThis chicken sounds really delicious Lauren! I love quick and easy recipes these days.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
11/13 at 8:09 pmI’m super lazy and in a hurry during the week! Need to make this asap!
Laura @MotherWouldKnow says
11/13 at 6:33 pmLove the tarragon and mustard combo, especially with all those great vegetables.
Amanda @The Kitcheneer says
11/13 at 5:54 pmThis chicken looks PERFECT for those days where you can’t find your phone when your talking on it! Looks delicious!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
11/13 at 5:39 pmThis looks perfect for a busy weeknight – love this recipe!
christine says
11/13 at 4:05 pmI love using chicken thighs and this recipe looks delicious. Beautiful photos.
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
11/13 at 11:19 amChicken thighs are my favorite! This dish looks perfect and I love that it’s ready in 30 minutes.
Soni says
11/13 at 9:03 amOoh this looks delicious and healthy!A great dinner idea for any night and I’m sure it’ll be a hit in my house 🙂
Angie says
11/12 at 11:38 pmChicken thighs and one pot meals are 2 of my favorite things to hear. I can definitely see myself whipping this up after work next week. Thanks for sharing this brilliant recipe!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
11/12 at 10:34 pmThis sounds like such an amazing recipe. So few ingredients, but they all pack such a flavor punch.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
11/12 at 10:00 pmI love the dijon and tarragon in this! Perdue made it easy!
Melanie says
11/12 at 9:43 pmThis is luscious looking. I just love your photos!
Heather / girlichef says
11/12 at 8:54 pmMmmm..pancetta… I love that this is quick enough to make on a weeknight!
Nutmeg Nanny says
11/12 at 8:05 pmThat skin looks perfect! I would devour this meal 🙂
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
11/12 at 7:43 pmThis sounds amazing and looks even better. Quick meals are a must during the busy week. Pinned.
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
11/12 at 7:33 pm30 minute meals are my jam during the week! Can’t wait to try this out next time in feeling lazy…which is every day haha
foodwanderings says
11/12 at 6:52 pmGosh, this came through Tribber as well which made my mouth water. So delicious looking. Would have been perfect as dinner tonight!
Carol at Wild Goose Tea says
11/12 at 5:01 pmQuick, easy and delicious—-and it looks appealing too!
Thien-Kim says
11/12 at 4:49 pmLooks delicious! I love the fact that it’s so easy and quick.
Cookin Canuck says
11/12 at 3:16 pmChicken thighs are one my go-tos, too. They’re so quick and easy to cook up, and they always have so much flavor. I have to try this recipe!
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
11/12 at 2:23 pmI love how hearty it looks and all in one pot, that would be a hit in my house!
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
11/12 at 1:15 pmSounds delicious – love making a copycat version of my favorite restaurant dishes!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
11/12 at 12:07 pmWith 3 kids, I am always looking for quick, healthy meals! This looks delicious!
cathy says
11/12 at 9:33 amThis takes advantage of my favorite chicken part — the thigh!
cathy says
11/12 at 9:17 amI just love chicken breasts and am always looking for delicious ways to cook them like this recipe. Thanks!
Family Foodie says
11/12 at 9:10 amThis recipe sounds amazing — I can not wait to make this for my family. I am totally looking for the Perdue Signature Stock. Thanks for the recommendation.
kristy @ the wicked noodle says
11/12 at 9:01 amI love these one-dish dinners and yours looks especially delicious!
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
11/12 at 8:06 amThis sounds absolutely amazing! As soon as I saw the picture on Facebook, I added it to my weekly menu! So fantastic!
Renee says
11/12 at 8:02 amOMG – the sauce alone sounds divine! This is so going on my to-cook list.
MealDiva says
11/12 at 7:38 amDelicious!!! We love chicken thighs during the week to! Fast and delicious! The flavors of chicken stock, heavy cream & Dijon have my mouth watering! Great recipe!!
Tammi @Momma's Meals says
11/12 at 7:19 amThis looks like a fabulous busy week night meal! I love making chicken dishes on the stove top. Thanks for the inspiration!
Katie says
11/12 at 6:42 amI love how quick and easy this dish is – but it doesn’t sacrifice flavor! Such a great meal.