Poulet au Vinaigre (Chicken in Vinegar)

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This classic French dish is typically made with a cut-up whole chicken. But using just one part of the bird, in this case thighs, ensures that the pieces are done at the same time. Serve this saucy braise with mashed potatoes.

Poulet au Vinaigre (Chicken in Vinegar)
Credit: Ryan Liebe
Active Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 25 mins
Servings:
4
  • This twist on a classic French comfort dish uses only chicken thighs to ensure even cooking.
  • Fresh tomatoes in the vibrant sauce provide antioxidants like lycopene for heart health.
  • Garlic and shallots may help lower cholesterol and risk of heart disease.

Chicken gets a saucy coat in this Poulet au Vinaigre recipe. Protein-rich chicken thighs are slightly crispy on the outside yet remain succulent inside. The sauce gets a tanginess from red wine vinegar and antioxidant-rich tomatoes, while the butter smooths the sauce out with a subtle richness. Honey also calms some of the acidity with a touch of sweetness that complements the earthy garlic and shallots. Keep reading for expert tips, including how to swap fresh herbs for dried.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you, too! 

  • You can use chicken breasts instead of thighs. But it's best if they are the same thickness, so they cook evenly. You can use a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy skillet to pound them to the desired thickness.
  • There's a good reason we cook the chicken in butter and olive oil. The butter gives this dish a smooth, creamy richness, while the oil adds flavor.
  • Fresh herbs are best, but if you must use dried, the rule of thumb is 1 tablespoon of fresh herbs equals 1 teaspoon of dried. Dried herbs are much more potent, so you won't use as much.

Nutrition Notes

  • Chicken thighs have more fat than chicken breasts, but it's that fat that helps keep them juicy and tender. Chicken thighs are an excellent source of protein, vitamins and minerals. The selenium in chicken thighs helps support healthy metabolism and thyroid function, and the zinc supports a healthy immune system. The vitamin B12 in chicken thighs supports healthy cells and nerves.
  • The tomatoes and tomato paste add antioxidants to this recipe, in particular, the antioxidant lycopene. Lycopene has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. The antioxidants and vitamins C and A in tomatoes also support skin health and complexion.
  • Garlic and shallots both contribute the plant compound allicin, which acts as an antioxidant. Garlic is known for its contribution toward lowering cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar. Both shallots and garlic are linked to reduced inflammation and risk of heart disease and cancer when eaten regularly.
  • Though the amount you use is small in recipes, regularly using herbs and spices, like parsley and tarragon, will compound the health benefits of your recipes. Herbs and spices add antioxidants, vitamins and minerals to recipes, so use them frequently and their health benefits will add up over time.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 1 ¼ pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed

  • ½ teaspoon salt plus a pinch, divided

  • ¼ teaspoon ground pepper

  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado

  • 4 cloves garlic, sliced

  • 1 large shallot, sliced

  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste

  • 1 large tomato, seeded and diced

  • ¼ cup red-wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon honey

  • 1 ½ cups low-sodium chicken broth

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon

Directions

  1. Pat dry 1 1/4 pounds chicken and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place 1/4 cup flour in a shallow bowl and toss the chicken in it to coat, shaking off excess. (Discard the remaining flour.)

  2. Heat 2 tablespoons butter and 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until foamy. Add the chicken and cook, flipping once, until brown on both sides, 9 to 12 minutes total. Add 4 sliced garlic cloves, 1 sliced shallot and the remaining pinch of salt; cook for 1 minute. Add 1 tablespoon tomato paste; cook for 1 minute. Stir in 1 diced tomato, 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 tablespoon honey, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in 1 1/2 cups broth. Bring to a simmer.

  3. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Uncover and cook, flipping the chicken occasionally, until the sauce is slightly thickened, 20 to 25 minutes more. Stir in 1 tablespoon parsley and 1 tablespoon tarragon.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What does adding vinegar do to chicken?

    The acids in the vinegar will help tenderize meat and make it juicier by helping to break down dense proteins.

  • What can you use instead of a large shallot?

    If you don't have a shallot to slice, the next best thing is a yellow onion. A large shallot measures about 1/2 cup sliced, so you'll want to do the same for an onion.

  • What should I serve with vinegar chicken?

    In addition to potatoes (regular or sweet) mashed or roasted, we'd add a hearty vegetable or two using some of our favorite recipes, including Crispy Smashed Brussels Sprouts, Cheesy Asparagus, Parmesan Spinach Cakes or Pan-Roasted Carrots.

  • How do I store leftover vinegar chicken?

    Cooked chicken should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge at 40°F or less and used within 3 to 4 days.

  • Can this recipe be made ahead?

    Technically, you can cook the chicken ahead, but we wouldn't. It won't save you a lot of time, and one of the reasons this recipe is so flavorful is its sauce and that's what you're building in Step 2.

EatingWell Magazine, April 2021

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

386 Calories
23g Fat
15g Carbs
29g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 3 oz. chicken & 1/2 cup sauce
Calories 386
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 15g 5%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 7g
Protein 29g 58%
Total Fat 23g 29%
Saturated Fat 7g 35%
Cholesterol 110mg 37%
Vitamin A 1010IU 20%
Sodium 472mg 21%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.
and
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
Sources
EatingWell is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy.
  1. United States Department of Agriculture. AskUSDA. How long can you keep cooked chicken?