I absolutely love the sauce that goes on this chicken, I find it addicting. I like it better without the Grand Marnier added but that's just me. I need to give credit where credit is due. This recipe is from a cookbook I purchased at the Old Ritten House Inn in Bayfield, WI. It's just one of many recipes of delicious meals that they serve at their B&B.
Ingredients
4 to 6 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
1 tsp. fresh garlic
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. fresh thyme leaves as well as 2 sprigs of thyme for sauce
4 tbls. olive oil divided
8 oz. prosciutto , julienned
4 oz. baby bella mushrooms
*1 bottle brut champagne
2 bay leave
2 shallots roughly chopped
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tbls. chicken base
1/4 cup Grand Marnier (optional) *ABK6 Orange Liqueur
Instructions
Combine first 5 ingredients with the exception of 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and the 2 sprigs of thyme in a large bowl. Place chicken in the refrigerator for 2 hours to marinate. While chicken is marinating, prepare champagne sauce. To prepare sauce combine 1 bottle of champagne, 2 bay leaves, 10 peppercorns, 2 sprigs of thyme, and 2 shallots roughly chopped. Simmer until reduces by 75% (takes about 60 minutes). Add cream and chicken base and simmer for an additional 60 minutes. If you would like to add the Grand Marnier, this would be the time to do it. 🙂 Pour sauce through a sieve.
To cook chicken, preheat saute' pan with tbls. of olive oil on medium heat. Sear chicken breast for 6 minutes on each side until done. Take chicken breast out of pan and place on a platter and cover with foil for 5 minutes before slicing and plating. Pour champagne sauce over chicken. I like to serve with garlic whipped potatoes, roasted mushrooms and the julienne d prosciutto as garnishes, and asparagus on the side.
To roast the mushrooms, add cleaned whole mushrooms to baking sheet and roast in 350 degree oven for 7- 10 minutes. Coat with olive oil, add salt and pepper.
* I found a very good brut sparkling wine at Costco, Mumm Napa Brut Prestige. It’s very good and reasonably priced.
* I found the ABK6 Orange Liqueur to be a very good, less expensive, substitute for the Grand Marnier.
