Sauté the Vegetables

• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté the diced onion in a little olive oil until translucent and slightly golden.
• Add the sliced mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Cook until they release most of their moisture and begin to brown.

Brown the Chicken

• While the vegetables are cooking, dredge the chicken pieces in seasoned flour.
• In a separate skillet, sear the chicken over medium-high heat until golden brown on both sides. (No skin if you're braising!)
• Once browned, remove the chicken and set it aside.

Build the Braising Sauce

• Return to the vegetable skillet. Add the garlic and cook just until fragrant.
• Stir in the thyme and deglaze with the white wine.
• Let the wine reduce completely—it should lose its sharp acidity. Taste test with a spoon; if it still bites, keep reducing.

Add Tomatoes & Stock

• Once the wine is fully reduced, stir in the chopped San Marzano tomatoes, chicken stock, and the bay leaf.
• Important: Do not add these before the wine has reduced—you’ll lose that beautiful concentrated flavor.

Simmer with Chicken

• Nestle the browned chicken pieces into the sauce. Don’t stress about the arrangement—this isn’t a magazine shoot!
• Cover the skillet with a lid, reduce heat to very low, and simmer gently until the internal temp hits 165°F—about 35–40 minutes.
• Check the chicken: if the breast pieces cook faster, remove them and let the legs cook a bit longer.

Thicken the Sauce (Optional)

• Near the end of cooking, remove the lid and let the sauce reduce slightly.
• If it’s not thick enough (and the dredged flour didn’t do the job), add a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with water.

Add Finishing Touches

• Stir in the zest of 1 lemon—this is the flavor bomb, don’t skip it!
• Sprinkle in chopped parsley and toss in some black olives if you’re feeling fancy.

Serve with Your Favorite Side

• Chicken Marengo pairs beautifully with polenta, rice, mashed potatoes, or even fresh pasta. Choose your favorite cozy base and let the sauce do the talking!

Bon appétit!