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Meat, Northern, Eastern and Western France

Chicken with Maroilles cheese and crispy potatoes

Chicken with Maroilles cheese is a braised dish from northern France where chicken thighs simmer in a creamy sauce made with melted Maroilles, served with crispy fried potatoes. It serves 4, takes 60 minutes, and is rated easy, for €3.30 per serving. The key is melting the sauce over low heat so it never boils.

Brace yourself, we're going for Maroilles tonight! Chicken draped in a creamy sauce with crispy potatoes on the side.

Chicken with Maroilles cheese and crispy potatoes
Total time
1 h
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.30
Calories per person
760 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Winter, Fall

Maroilles has a smell that nobody misses, but once it melts into the cream, it turns into a soft, enveloping sauce that coats the chicken without overpowering it. The thighs simmer slowly with shallots, which keeps them tender while they soak up the cheese's flavor. This is a bold dish that fully owns its northern French character.

This is the dinner for fall and winter evenings when you want something comforting, more of an adults' meal or for a family that already loves strong cheeses. The crispy potatoes on the side bring the crunch the sauce is missing, and they soak up every last bit left on the plate.

The ingredients

4 people

Butcher

  • Chicken thighs 4

Dairy

  • Maroilles cheese 200 g
  • Heavy cream 20 cl
  • Butter 30 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Shallots 2
  • Potatoes 900 g
  • Parsley 3 sprigs

Pantry

  • Olive oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Lactose

The step by step recipe

  1. Brown the chicken thighs in the oil and butter, season lightly with salt and pepper. 10 min

    Go easy on the salt, Maroilles is already quite salty.

  2. Add the sliced shallots and half a glass of water, cover and cook over low heat. 30 min

    Turn the thighs halfway through cooking for even results.

  3. Meanwhile, brown the diced potatoes in a skillet with some oil. 25 min

    Don't stir them constantly, the crust forms when they stay in contact with the pan.

  4. Cut the Maroilles into cubes and melt it into the sauce with the cream, stirring. 8 min

    Melt it over low heat, too much heat makes the sauce grainy.

  5. Spoon the sauce over the chicken, scatter with chopped parsley and serve with the potatoes.

    Open a window, Maroilles lives up to its reputation.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a Maroilles that's properly ripe, neither too young nor too runny, it will melt more evenly into the sauce.
  • If the sauce feels too thick by the end of cooking, loosen it with a splash of the potato cooking water or a little milk.
  • Cook the potatoes in a wide skillet so they don't steam instead of frying, that's what gives them a real golden crust.

The variations

  • Swap the Maroilles for reblochon or Époisses for a sauce that's just as melty but a bit less intense.
  • For a vegetarian version, replace the chicken with roasted squash or parsnip slices, then cover them with the same cheese sauce.
  • For a quicker meal, use chicken breast cut into chunks, it cooks in 15 minutes instead of 30.

What to serve it with

  • A crisp green salad with vinaigrette
  • A glass of northern French blonde beer
  • Country bread for mopping up sauce

Storage

Chicken with Maroilles keeps for 2 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container. Reheat it gently in a skillet or saucepan over low heat so the sauce doesn't split. Freezing isn't recommended, the cheese sauce loses its texture when thawed.

Questions about this dish

Can you make chicken with Maroilles ahead of time?

You can cook the chicken and prepare the sauce the day before, then reheat gently before serving. Fry the potatoes at the last minute so they stay crispy.

What can I use instead of Maroilles cheese?

Reblochon or Livarot work well and give a sauce that's just as melty. The flavor will be a bit milder than the original.

Why does my Maroilles sauce turn grainy?

This happens when the cheese melts over too high heat. Lower the heat and stir gently, the sauce smooths out again as it cools slightly.

Is chicken with Maroilles good for kids?

It's a dish with a fairly strong flavor that doesn't always suit younger palates. If needed, serve them the chicken with a little less sauce and more potatoes.

How long does it take to make a chicken with Maroilles cheese and crispy potatoes?

Count 1 h in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.

How many calories are in a chicken with Maroilles cheese and crispy potatoes?

About 760 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a chicken with Maroilles cheese and crispy potatoes cost?

About €3.30 per serving, or €13.20 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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