We absolutely love exploring the eclectic vibes of San Francisco, and our San Francisco Chicken Recipe brings that magic straight to your kitchen. This dish draws from the city’s rich culinary heritage, blending bold flavors like garlic, herbs, and a hint of wine for a fresh twist on classic comfort food.
What makes it irresistible is how simple it is to whip up, yet it delivers restaurant-quality taste that’ll impress your family and friends. We’re confident you’ll savor every bite as we share our take on this West Coast favorite.
Ingredients
To craft our San Francisco Chicken Recipe with its bold flavors of garlic, herbs, and wine, we begin by selecting high-quality ingredients. We’ll list them in the order they’re used, with prep notes for precision.
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds total, patted dry for even searing)
- 4 cloves of garlic (minced for a pungent aroma that infuses the dish)
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil (extra-virgin variety for rich flavor and high-heat cooking)
- 1 medium onion (diced to provide a sweet, caramelized base)
- 1 cup of dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc, for that signature San Francisco tang)
- 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary (finely chopped to add earthy notes)
- 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme (chopped for a subtle, herbaceous lift)
- Salt and black pepper (to taste, about 1 teaspoon each, for seasoning the chicken before cooking)
Equipment Needed
To prepare our San Francisco Chicken Recipe seamlessly, we recommend having the essential tools on hand. These items help us achieve precise cooking and enhance the dish’s bold flavors from the ingredients we’ve already selected. Below, we list the key equipment in the order of typical use, with brief notes for optimal results.
- Large Skillet or Frying Pan: We start with a 12-inch non-stick or stainless-steel skillet to sear the chicken breasts evenly, ensuring a golden crust that locks in moisture and amplifies the garlic and herb infusion.
- Cutting Board: A sturdy wooden or plastic board is next for safely chopping ingredients like onions and herbs, allowing us to maintain a clean, efficient workflow.
- Chef’s Knife: Use a sharp 8-inch chef’s knife for precise dicing of onions and mincing garlic, which is crucial for releasing their aromatic essences into the dish.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measuring cups (1 cup and 1/2 cup) and spoons (1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon) ensure we add the right amounts of olive oil, wine, and seasonings for balanced flavors.
- Wooden Spoon or Silicone Spatula: This tool is vital for stirring and deglazing the pan with wine, helping us incorporate the flavorful bits from the bottom for a richer sauce.
- Tongs: Sturdy tongs make it easy to flip and remove chicken pieces without piercing the meat, preserving its juiciness during cooking.
With these tools ready, we’re set to move forward and execute the recipe steps flawlessly.
Instructions
With our high-quality ingredients and essential tools in hand, we guide you through the straightforward steps to create our flavorful San Francisco Chicken, blending bold garlic, herbs, and wine for an irresistible dish.
Prep
Before we start cooking, let’s prepare our ingredients to ensure everything comes together seamlessly. Begin by patting dry 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts with paper towels to remove excess moisture, which helps achieve a golden sear. Next, finely mince 4 cloves of garlic and dice 1 medium onion into ½-inch pieces for even cooking. Chop 2 tablespoons each of fresh rosemary and thyme leaves, as these herbs deliver the aromatic essence that defines our recipe’s vibrant flavors. Measure out ½ cup of dry white wine and have 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil ready, along with 1 teaspoon of salt and ½ teaspoon of black pepper for seasoning. This preparation step takes about 10 minutes, setting the stage for a dish bursting with savory notes and herbal freshness.
Cook
Now that our ingredients are prepped, we move to the stovetop to build layers of flavor. Heat 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then add the chicken breasts and sear them for 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F, locking in juicy tenderness with a crispy exterior. Remove the chicken and set it aside, then reduce the heat to medium and add the diced onion and minced garlic, stirring with a wooden spoon for 2-3 minutes until they soften and release a fragrant, garlicky aroma that fills the kitchen. Pour in the ½ cup of dry white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up any browned bits for added depth, and let it simmer for 2 minutes to reduce slightly. Stir in the chopped rosemary, thyme, salt, and black pepper, then return the chicken to the skillet and cook for another 3-4 minutes, allowing the herbs to infuse the chicken with bold, earthy flavors and a subtle wine tang that evokes San Francisco’s culinary spirit. The result is a succulent dish with a glossy, herb-flecked sauce that tantalizes the palate.
Serve
| Nutrient | Per Serving (1 chicken breast with sauce) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 |
| Protein (g) | 28 |
| Fat (g) | 18 |
| Carbohydrates (g) | 6 |
| Sodium (mg) | 450 |
Make-Ahead Instructions
One of the beauties of our San Francisco Chicken recipe is its flexibility for meal prep, allowing us to infuse flavors ahead of time while keeping the dish succulent and aromatic. By preparing components in advance, we ensure a restaurant-quality meal with minimal effort on the day of serving. Let’s break down the steps for optimal results.
Preparing Ingredients in Advance
To get started, we recommend prepping the key elements up to 24 hours ahead. This maintains the fresh, bold flavors of garlic, herbs, and wine without compromising texture.
- Chicken breasts: Pat dry and season with salt and black pepper, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This step enhances the savory notes and prevents excess moisture that could affect searing.
- Aromatics: Mince garlic and dice onion, placing them in separate sealed bags or containers. Fresh rosemary and thyme should be chopped and stored wrapped in a damp paper towel inside a zip-top bag to preserve their vibrant, earthy aroma.
- Wine and oil mixture: Combine extra-virgin olive oil with dry white wine in a small jar, shaking well. Refrigerate this for easy deglazing later, ensuring the mixture retains its glossy sheen for a flavorful sauce.
Cooking and Storing the Dish
For full make-ahead preparation, we can cook the entire dish and store it, letting the flavors meld for even deeper taste.
- Follow the cooking steps as outlined: First, sear the chicken in olive oil until golden brown, then add onion, garlic, wine, and herbs to create that irresistible, herb-flecked sauce.
- Cool completely: After cooking, let the dish cool for about 30 minutes at room temperature. This prevents condensation that could make the chicken soggy.
- Store properly: Transfer the cooled chicken and sauce to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Freezing helps lock in the succulent texture and bold garlic-herb essence, making it ideal for busy weeks.
If you’re tracking storage specifics, here’s a quick reference:
| Storage Method | Duration | Best Practices |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration | Up to 3 days | Use glass containers to avoid plastic odors and reheat gently. |
| Freezing | Up to 2 months | Portion into freezer-safe bags; thaw overnight in the fridge for optimal flavor retention. |
Reheating for Peak Flavor
When it’s time to enjoy, we reheat with care to preserve the dish’s glossy sauce and tender chicken.
- From the refrigerator: Place the chicken and sauce in a skillet over medium heat, covered, for 5-7 minutes until warmed through. Stir occasionally to redistribute the aromatic herbs and wine essence, reviving that fresh, coastal-inspired taste.
- From the freezer: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then reheat as above. For a quicker option, use the microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, but we advise the stovetop for the best sensory experience—crisp edges and a burst of herbal fragrance.
By following these steps, we maximize convenience without sacrificing the San Francisco Chicken‘s signature bold, wine-infused allure.
Conclusion
We’ve loved guiding you through this San Francisco Chicken Recipe
It’s a simple way to add flair to your table
We’re sure it’ll become a staple in your kitchen repertoire.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the San Francisco Chicken Recipe?
The San Francisco Chicken Recipe is a flavorful dish that blends bold garlic, herbs, and white wine for a modern twist on comfort food. It’s simple to make with high-quality ingredients like chicken breasts, olive oil, onion, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and seasonings, delivering restaurant-quality taste in under 30 minutes of cooking time.
What ingredients are needed for this recipe?
Key ingredients include boneless, skinless chicken breasts, minced garlic, extra-virgin olive oil, diced onion, dry white wine, fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, salt, and black pepper. Use them in the order listed for best results, focusing on fresh, high-quality items to enhance the dish’s aromatic and savory flavors.
How do I prepare the San Francisco Chicken Recipe?
Start by prepping ingredients: pat dry chicken, mince garlic, dice onion, and chop herbs (about 10 minutes). Sear chicken in olive oil until golden, add onion and garlic, deglaze with wine, and infuse with herbs. Cook until succulent, resulting in a glossy sauce. Total time is around 30 minutes for a delicious meal.
What equipment is required for this recipe?
You’ll need a large skillet or frying pan for searing, a cutting board and chef’s knife for prep, measuring cups and spoons for accuracy, a wooden spoon or spatula for stirring, and tongs for flipping chicken. These tools ensure precise execution and help achieve a flavorful, professional result.
Is the San Francisco Chicken Recipe healthy?
Each serving has about 350 calories, 28g protein, 18g fat, 6g carbs, and 450mg sodium, making it a balanced option with high protein and moderate calories. Using fresh herbs and lean chicken adds nutritional value, but watch sodium if on a restricted diet.
Can I make the San Francisco Chicken Recipe ahead of time?
Yes, prep ingredients like minced garlic, diced onion, and seasoned chicken up to 24 hours in advance, storing them separately in airtight containers. Cook fully, then cool and refrigerate or freeze the dish. Reheat gently to preserve flavors, ideal for meal prep without losing the wine-infused taste.
How should I store the San Francisco Chicken Recipe?
Cool the cooked dish completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat in a skillet over low heat or microwave, adding a splash of wine or water to maintain moisture and bold flavors.