Mohamed Shili This easy Chicken Waterzooi, inspired by Julia Child, is a creamy and comforting stew perfect for a cozy dinner. With tender chicken and vegetables in a silky broth, it’s quick to prepare and uses simple, everyday ingredients. You can easily customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand!
Ingredients Needed
For the Stew:
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 leeks, trimmed, rinsed, and thinly sliced
- 2 large carrots, finely chopped
- 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
- 4 cups (32 oz) chicken broth, divided
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced into ½-inch thick pieces
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
For the Creamy Broth:
- 1 cup (8 oz) heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 large egg yolk
For Garnish:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
How To Make Chicken Waterzooi
- Sauté the Vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, leeks, carrots, and celery. Stir frequently and cook for about 10 minutes, until softened.
- Add the Broth and Chicken: Pour in enough chicken broth to just cover the vegetables and bring to a boil. Add the chicken, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and cover it with foil to keep warm.
- Prepare the Creamy Broth: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, cornstarch, and egg yolk.
- Thicken the Stew: Stir the cream mixture into the pot with the vegetables. Add more broth as needed for your preferred consistency, stirring constantly.
- Return the Chicken: Add the chicken back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the stew into bowls and top with fresh parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread or rice.
Recipe Tips
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot as soon as it’s cooked through to avoid it becoming dry. You can always add it back later.
- Adjust the Broth Thickness: If you prefer a thicker broth, add a little more cornstarch to the cream mixture. If you like a thinner broth, simply add more chicken broth.
- Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables add more flavor and texture to the stew. Avoid using frozen veggies for the best result.
- Season Well: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper before serving. Adding a pinch of fresh herbs can brighten the flavors.
- Add Fresh Parsley: The fresh parsley on top not only adds color but also enhances the flavor. Don’t skip it!
How To Store & Reheat Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Store leftover Chicken Waterzooi in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Reheating: Reheat Chicken Waterzooi on the stovetop over low heat for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally until hot.
Nutrition Fact
Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 1 cup)
- Calories: 418.5 kcal
- Total Fat: 18.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 9.8 g
- Cholesterol: 125.5 mg
- Sodium: 2,492.0 mg
- Potassium: 1,057.6 mg
- Total Carbohydrate: 28.2 g
- Dietary Fiber: 2.9 g
- Sugars: 3.8 g
- Protein: 34.3 g
More Julia Child Recipes:
Chicken Waterzooi Julia Child
Description
This easy Chicken Waterzooi, inspired by Julia Child, is a creamy and comforting stew perfect for a cozy dinner. With tender chicken and vegetables in a silky broth, it’s quick to prepare and uses simple, everyday ingredients. You can easily customize it with whatever veggies you have on hand!
Ingredients
For the Creamy Broth:
For Garnish:
Instructions
- Sauté the Vegetables: Melt butter in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onion, leeks, carrots, and celery. Stir frequently and cook for about 10 minutes, until softened.
- Add the Broth and Chicken: Pour in enough chicken broth to just cover the vegetables and bring to a boil. Add the chicken, cover, and let simmer for 20 minutes until fully cooked. Remove the chicken and cover it with foil to keep warm.
- Prepare the Creamy Broth: In a small bowl, whisk together the heavy cream, cornstarch, and egg yolk.
- Thicken the Stew: Stir the cream mixture into the pot with the vegetables. Add more broth as needed for your preferred consistency, stirring constantly.
- Return the Chicken: Add the chicken back to the pot. Season with salt and pepper. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until heated through.
- Serve and Garnish: Ladle the stew into bowls and top with fresh parsley. Serve warm with crusty bread or rice.
Notes
- Don’t Overcook the Chicken: Remove the chicken from the pot as soon as it’s cooked through to avoid it becoming dry. You can always add it back later.
- Adjust the Broth Thickness: If you prefer a thicker broth, add a little more cornstarch to the cream mixture. If you like a thinner broth, simply add more chicken broth.
- Use Fresh Vegetables: Fresh vegetables add more flavor and texture to the stew. Avoid using frozen veggies for the best result.
- Season Well: Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper before serving. Adding a pinch of fresh herbs can brighten the flavors.
- Add Fresh Parsley: The fresh parsley on top not only adds color but also enhances the flavor. Don’t skip it!
Chicken Waterzooi Julia Child
