Émincé de Poulet with cream sauce and mushrooms
Easy

Émincé de Poulet à la Crème

(356)
22 min4340 cal

By Chef Marco Deluca·Red Seal Certified Chef|April 12, 2024

Émincé de Poulet is a classic French quick-cook dish featuring thinly sliced chicken breast sautéed with mushrooms in a rich cream and white wine sauce. Ready in just 20 minutes, it is the perfect weeknight dinner that tastes like a French bistro meal. The thin slices cook in seconds, keeping the chicken incredibly tender and juicy.

frenchemincecream-saucequick-dinner

Ingredients

Servings:
4

Instructions

👨‍🍳Chef's Notes

Mise en Place Saves Time

Even for quick recipes, spend 3 minutes measuring and prepping everything before you turn on the heat. It sounds counterintuitive, but it actually speeds up cooking because you're never scrambling mid-recipe.

Bring to Room Temperature

Take chicken out of the fridge 20-30 minutes before cooking. Cold chicken straight from the fridge cooks unevenly — the outside overcooks while the centre stays underdone.

About This Recipe

Émincé de Poulet à la Crème is one of those delightful French dishes that combines simplicity with elegance, making it a cherished favourite among Canadian home cooks. With tender, thinly sliced chicken breast sautéed to perfection, enveloped in a luscious cream and white wine sauce, this dish transforms a weeknight dinner into a bistro-style experience right in your kitchen. The addition of earthy button mushrooms and the aromatic touch of fresh tarragon elevates the flavours, creating a comforting yet sophisticated meal that feels special without the fuss.

This recipe comes together in just 22 minutes, making it ideal for those busy evenings when you crave something satisfying but don’t have hours to spend in the kitchen. The creamy sauce clings to each bite of chicken, ensuring every mouthful is rich and indulgent. Pair it with a crisp side salad or some buttery mashed potatoes, and you’ll understand why this dish is beloved across Canada, from coast to coast. It’s a testament to the beauty of French cuisine brought into our homes with ease and grace.

Tips for the Best Émincé de Poulet à la Crème

To ensure your Émincé de Poulet stays juicy and tender, it's crucial to avoid overcooking the chicken. Aim for an internal temperature of 74°C (165°F) for perfectly cooked meat. Sauté the chicken in batches if necessary, allowing it ample space in the pan. This helps achieve that beautiful golden colour while keeping the meat moist. Don’t forget to incorporate the cream off the heat to prevent curdling, ensuring a smooth and velvety sauce.

What to Serve With It

For a truly delightful meal, serve your Émincé de Poulet à la Crème over a bed of fluffy rice or alongside buttery mashed potatoes, which soak up the rich sauce beautifully. A side of lightly dressed arugula or a simple green salad with a hint of lemon adds a refreshing contrast to the dish. Consider pairing it with a chilled glass of Chardonnay or a light Pinot Grigio to enhance the creamy flavours and create a complete dining experience that showcases the elegance of French cooking.

Storage & Reheating

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, do so gently on low heat to prevent the chicken from drying out; adding a splash of cream or broth can help keep the sauce luscious. If you want to freeze this dish, it will hold up for about 2 months. Just be sure to thaw it overnight in the fridge before reheating to maintain the best texture and flavour.

Nutrition Per Serving

340
Calories
32g
Protein
18g
Fat
10g
Carbs
Fiber1g
Sugar3g
Sodium490mg

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts for this recipe?+

Absolutely! Chicken thighs will add a deeper flavour and remain juicy during cooking. Just ensure they are thinly sliced for even cooking.

What can I substitute for heavy cream in this recipe?+

You can use half-and-half for a lighter option, or a combination of sour cream and milk for a tangy twist, but the sauce may not be as rich.

Is it necessary to use white wine in this dish?+

While white wine adds depth to the sauce, you can substitute it with chicken broth or a splash of lemon juice for acidity if you prefer not to use alcohol.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?+

Swap the chicken for firm tofu or hearty vegetables like portobello mushrooms, and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth for a delicious vegetarian version.

What type of mustard works best in this recipe?+

Dijon mustard is ideal for its sharpness and depth of flavour, but you can also experiment with whole grain mustard for added texture.

Reviews

4.8 / 5 (356 reviews)
Daniel N.
Jan 4, 2025

Simple ingredients, amazing results. Highly recommend.

Amanda U.
Feb 20, 2025

Made this for a dinner party and everyone asked for the recipe.

Ryan A.
Sep 25, 2025

This is comfort food at its finest. Pure perfection.

Recipe at a Glance

Prep:
10 min
Cook:
12 min
Total:
22 min
Servings:
4
Difficulty:
Easy

Pro Tips

  • 1Slice chicken breast against the grain for the most tender pieces.
  • 2Don't overcook — thin slices need only 1-2 minutes per side.
  • 3Use crème fraîche instead of cream for a tangier, more authentic French flavour.

Variations

  • Add sun-dried tomatoes for colour and sweetness.
  • Use thyme instead of tarragon.
  • Make it with chicken thigh slices for richer flavour.

International Chicken Recipes

Émincé de Poulet à la Crème

This is THE Émincé de Poulet à la Crème recipe you have been looking for.

by ChickenRecipes.ca

Émincé de Poulet with cream sauce and mushrooms
Chef Marco Deluca

Chef Marco Deluca

Head Chef & Recipe Developer

Marco is a Red Seal certified chef with over 15 years of professional kitchen experience across Canada. After training at George Brown College in Toronto and working in acclaimed restaurants from Vancouver to Montreal, he founded ChickenRecipes.ca to share his expertise with home cooks. Marco specializes in making restaurant-quality chicken dishes accessible for everyday Canadian kitchens.

Red Seal Certified ChefGeorge Brown College Culinary Arts Graduate15+ years professional kitchen experience

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