This rich Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken is made with skin-on chicken breasts, sweet dessert apples, creamy double cream, and tangy cider. This recipe creates a savory and fruity dish with a bubbling, golden cheddar cheese topping. It’s the perfect meal for a cozy weeknight dinner, especially in the fall, and serves up to six people.
Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken Ingredients
For the Chicken & Sauce:
- 6 boneless chicken breasts, skin on
- 75g unsalted butter
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 onions, peeled and sliced
- 4 tbsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 2 dessert apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into batons
- 110g button mushrooms, sliced
- 250ml chicken stock
- 300ml cider
- 1 tbsp fresh sage, finely chopped
- 250ml double cream
- 300g mature cheddar cheese, grated
To Serve:
- 6 baked potatoes
- Extra butter, to serve
- Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper
How To Make Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken
- Prepare the chicken: Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and black pepper.
- Sear the chicken: Heat half of the butter and olive oil in a large frying pan. Fry the chicken breasts in batches, skin-side down first, for 1-2 minutes on each side until golden brown. Transfer them to a deep-sided oven-safe dish.
- Roast the chicken: Place the dish in the preheated oven and roast for 25 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear.
- Cook the sauce base: While the chicken is roasting, add the remaining butter and oil to the same frying pan. Cook the sliced onions for 4-5 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
- Build the sauce: Stir the flour and mustard into the softened onions and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the sliced apples and mushrooms and cook for 1 minute.
- Simmer the sauce: Pour in the chicken stock and bring to a boil, scraping any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the cider, return to a boil, and cook gently for 5 minutes. Finally, stir in the double cream and sage, and simmer for another 5 minutes. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
- Combine and finish: Remove the chicken from the oven and pour the finished sauce over the chicken breasts. Preheat your grill to high. Sprinkle the grated cheddar cheese evenly over the chicken and sauce.
- Grill and serve: Place the dish under the hot grill for about 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbling. Serve immediately with baked potatoes.
Recipe Tips
- Choose the right cider: Use a dry, still cider for the best results. Sweet or sparkling ciders can make the sauce overly sweet or create too much foam during cooking.
- Don’t skip the seasoning: Seasoning the chicken and the sauce at each stage builds layers of flavor. Taste as you go and adjust the salt and pepper to your liking.
- Use skin-on chicken: The skin-on chicken breasts brown beautifully and add a rich, savory flavor to the final dish.
- Shred the cheese yourself: For the best melt and flavor, grate your own block of mature cheddar cheese. Pre-shredded cheese often contains anti-caking agents that can prevent it from melting smoothly.
What To Serve Somerset Chicken
This rich and comforting Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken is a complete meal on its own. It’s traditionally served with jacket potatoes (baked potatoes) to soak up all of the delicious, creamy sauce. You could also serve it with a side of simple steamed greens like broccoli or green beans, or a fresh rocket and watercress salad to cut through the richness. Creamy mashed potatoes or simple boiled new potatoes would also be a fantastic choice.
How To Store Somerset Chicken Leftovers
- Refrigerate: Cool the Somerset chicken completely before transferring it to an airtight container. It can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm it in a saucepan over low heat or in the microwave until heated through.
- Freeze: Somerset chicken can be frozen, but the creamy sauce may separate slightly upon thawing. Freeze the cooled chicken and sauce in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and then gently reheat on the stovetop, stirring to help the sauce come back together.
Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 922 kcal
- Total Fat: 58.6g
- Saturated Fat: 32.2g
- Cholesterol: 161mg
- Sodium: 1.99g
- Total Carbohydrate: 38.0g
- Dietary Fiber: 15g
- Sugars: 8.7g
- Protein: 58.7g
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I use skinless chicken breasts? Yes, you can use skinless chicken breasts, but the dish will lack the extra richness and flavor that comes from browning the skin. You may also need to adjust the cooking time as skinless chicken can cook more quickly.
- What kind of apples should I use? Dessert apples like Granny Smith or Bramley apples are excellent choices as they hold their shape and add a subtle tartness that balances the richness of the sauce.
- Can I use a different type of cheese? While mature cheddar is traditional, you could experiment with other strong cheeses like a hard, aged Gruyère. The key is to use a cheese with a robust flavor that can stand up to the other ingredients in the sauce.
Try More Recipes:
- Hairy Bikers Scotch Broth Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Chinese Chicken Curry Recipe
- Hairy Bikers Chicken Balti Recipe
Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken Recipe
Description
Hairy Bikers Somerset Chicken is a creamy and savory British dish that brings together chicken, tangy cider, sweet apples, and a rich, cheesy sauce. A golden, bubbling layer of cheddar cheese tops this delicious and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C. Season chicken.
- Sear chicken in a pan with half the butter and oil, then place in an oven-safe dish and roast for 25 mins.
- In the same pan, cook onions with remaining butter and oil until soft. Stir in flour and mustard.
- Add apples, mushrooms, stock, and cider. Simmer for 5 mins, then add cream and sage.
- Pour sauce over chicken. Sprinkle with cheese and grill for 5 mins until bubbling and golden. Serve immediately.
