JB’s Hen au Poivre (Creamy Peppercorn Sauce)

23 de February de 2026

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Impressed by Steak au Poivre, one in all my all-time favourites. This recipe has the identical creamy peppercorn sauce with brandy and cream, simply swapped for golden rooster. “Hen au poivre” is an ideal fast mid-week dinner with a French accent!

Chicken au poivre - French chicken with creamy peppercorn sauce

I like this one! JB’s chef-y touches actually shine – fancy dinner feels on a Monday night time funds due to this extra reasonably priced rooster spin on the basic steak model. All of the bistro vibes, not one of the steak price ticket. 🙌

Not profitable a lot on the “take a look at us fortunately making this collectively” photograph…. they had been all horrible!😅

Hen au Poivre

Impressed by the much-loved Steak with Creamy Peppercorn Sauce (Steak au Poivre), a dish a lot of you already know and adore, and one I cooked numerous occasions in eating places through the years. Peppery, creamy, deeply savoury, and splendidly easy. Only a handful of components, nothing fancy, and but a lot flavour. And keep in mind that brandy from Hen Chasseur? We’re going to use it within the sauce as we speak – I advised you we had been going to place it to good use! 😊

Substances

Here’s what you want – only a few key components to create this restaurant dish at house.

Hen breast – You solely want two rooster breasts right here, sliced horizontally to make 4 even items, excellent for serving 4 if the breasts are on the bigger facet. Boneless rooster thigh fillets work simply as effectively. In the event you go along with thighs, I recommend flippantly pounding them to even out the thickness and provide you with a flatter floor, which helps them pan-fry extra evenly.
Brandy – Similar to with Hen Chasseur, that is what makes it an genuine “au poivre sauce” relatively than some other creamy sauce. No have to get fancy, I take advantage of a reasonable brandy. There’s completely no purpose to succeed in for a dear one when cooking. As soon as it hits the pan, the tough edge cooks off, and also you’re left with that pretty heat and depth of flavour. A lot of the alcohol evaporates, however for those who don’t devour alcohol, you may go away it out. You’ll nonetheless find yourself with pretty pepper sauce, it simply received’t be an “au poivre sauce”.
Beef inventory / broth – We use beef inventory as a substitute of rooster inventory as a result of it brings a deeper flavour and a extra strong depth to the sauce. When you have the time, it’s effectively price treating your self to a selfmade beef inventory, it actually elevates the entire dish.
Cream – As a result of we’re making a creamy sauce! Use thickened / heavy cream, the sauce will thicken sooner, and it received’t curdle when simmering on the range.
Black peppercorns – crushed by hand utilizing a mortar and pestle offers you a brisker and a bolder pepper flavour with extra aroma and mild warmth. Way more character than pre-cracked pepper however that mentioned, it’s completely nice to make use of pre-cracked if that’s what you’ve.

How To Make Hen au Poivre

In a fast abstract – the rooster is seared first then put apart to relaxation whereas the sauce is made in the identical pan. Then we place the rooster again into the sauce to heat it for serving.

1. Put together and sear the rooster

Put together the rooster – Reduce every rooster breast in half horizontally to make 4 skinny steaks. Season each side with salt solely (the sauce brings loads of pepper later).
Sear – Warmth the oil in a big pan over excessive warmth. Cook dinner the rooster for two–3 minutes per facet till golden, then switch to a plate. Go away it uncovered.

2. Making the sauce

Deglaze – Flip the warmth off, then rigorously pour within the brandy. Watch out, it would sizzle exhausting, that’s regular. Let it bubble for 20–30 seconds to let the alcohol burn off, scraping the bottom of the pan to launch all of the flavour.
Pour within the beef inventory – Return the pan to excessive warmth. Add the meat inventory and simmer quickly for about 4 minutes, till diminished by half.

Cream and pepper – Stir within the cream and crushed pepper.
Thicken sauce – Simmer for 3-4 minutes on medium excessive, stirring and scraping the perimeters of the pan because the sauce reduces. It must be thick sufficient to flippantly coat a spoon.

Return the rooster into the sauce and any resting juices on the plate.
End – Decrease the warmth to medium. Simmer gently for two–3 minutes, spooning the sauce over the rooster till it’s warmed via and the sauce darkens in color and thickens a bit of extra.

How To Serve Hen au Poivre

Serve Hen au Poivre straight from the pan whereas the sauce is scorching and shiny. Spoon that peppery cream sauce generously over the rooster, and pair it with potato, it acquired to be! In the event you really feel fancy and also you’ve acquired the time, strive Pommes Anna, Fondant Potatoes or one thing less complicated like Mash or Roasted Potato. Greens are additionally a terrific match, strive Sautéed Inexperienced Beans with Garlic or Garlic Butter Roasted Mushrooms. And why not some Grilled Garlic Bread to be sure you received’t waste any of that stunning sauce!

And with that, one other French-inspired favorite accomplished and dusted. A easy adaptation with huge flavour, comprised of a handful of components. Precisely the form of recipe you’ll fortunately cook dinner repeatedly at house. Bon appétit! – JB

FAQ – Hen Au Poivre

Watch How To Make It

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