Easy Irish Chicken in Whiskey Cream Sauce
A rich and creamy Irish chicken dish featuring tender chicken breasts or thighs, infused with the unique flavor of Irish whiskey, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 4 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (or thighs)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp butter (divided)
- 1 piece shallot (or ½ onion), finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup Irish whiskey (smooth blended style)
- ½ cup chicken stock
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional)
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or chives, chopped
- Salt & black pepper to taste
Optional Ingredients
- mushrooms
- bacon lardons
- spinach
- Parmesan
Instructions
Preparation
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Optionally, lightly dust with flour.
Searing
- Heat olive oil and 1 tbsp butter in a skillet. Sear chicken for 4–6 minutes per side until golden. Remove from skillet.
Aromatics
- Add remaining butter, sauté shallot and garlic until fragrant.
Deglazing
- Pour in whiskey and reduce by half while scraping browned bits from the pan.
Building the Sauce
- Add chicken stock and Dijon mustard. Simmer for 2–3 minutes, then stir in cream and reduce until glossy.
Finishing
- Nestle chicken back into the sauce and simmer for 3–6 minutes until cooked through.
- Whisk in cold butter, add lemon juice, and fold in herbs. Adjust seasoning as needed.
Serving
- Spoon sauce over chicken and garnish with herbs and lemon zest before serving.
Notes
This dish can be made ahead; prepare the sauce separately and quickly finish the chicken at mealtime. It pairs beautifully with mashed potatoes or egg noodles.