Chicken with potatoes and béchamel sauce

Chicken with potatoes and Bechamel sauce – a delicious, comforting recipe, perfect for a family dinner or to impress guests. This combination of tender chicken, golden potatoes, and a creamy Bechamel sauce is undoubtedly a choice that will delight everyone's taste buds. Let's embark together on this culinary journey!

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 40 minutes
Total time: 1 hour
Servings: 4

Ingredients

For chicken and potatoes:
- 1 chicken breast (approximately 400 g)
- 4-5 medium potatoes (approximately 800 g)
- 1 large tomato
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika

For Bechamel sauce:
- 50 g butter
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 300 ml cold milk
- 50 g grated cheese
- 100 g sour cream
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- A pinch of nutmeg

A brief history of Bechamel sauce

Bechamel sauce is one of the oldest and most well-known white sauces, with deep roots in culinary tradition. It is believed to have been invented by chefs in medieval Europe and has been popularized over the centuries. This creamy sauce is used as a base for many recipes, and in combination with other ingredients, it can become a true delight.

Step by step

Step 1: Preparing the ingredients

Start by preparing all the ingredients. Peel the potatoes and slice them thinly lengthwise, about 5 mm thick. Cut the chicken breast into thin strips and season it with salt, pepper, and sweet paprika to give it a pleasant aroma and a touch of color. Slice the tomato thinly.

Step 2: Preparing the Bechamel sauce

In a saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, being careful not to burn it. Add the flour, stirring continuously with a spatula or whisk to avoid lumps. This step is crucial for achieving a smooth sauce. Once the flour is well incorporated into the butter, gradually add the milk, stirring constantly. Continue to stir until the sauce starts to thicken.

Once the sauce is well combined, add the grated cheese and sour cream, stirring until completely melted. Season the sauce with salt, pepper, and a pinch of nutmeg, which will add a delicate aroma and a layer of flavor complexity.

Step 3: Assembling the dish

In a greased ovenproof dish, layer the strips of chicken as the first layer. On top, add the potato slices, arranged in a way that forms a tile-like pattern. This is not only aesthetic but also helps with even baking. Place the tomato slices on top of the potatoes and season everything with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Adding the sauce and baking

After assembling, pour the Bechamel sauce over the dish, ensuring that all the ingredients are evenly covered. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 30 minutes. Then, remove the foil and let it bake for another 10 minutes until the surface is golden and appetizing.

Serving and suggestions

Serve this dish warm, alongside a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables for a crunchy and refreshing contrast. A personal recommendation would be to sprinkle grated Parmesan on top before baking for an extra burst of flavor.

Frequently asked questions

1. Can I use another type of meat?
Absolutely! This recipe can be easily adapted. You can use chicken thighs, turkey, or even pork.

2. How can I make Bechamel sauce easier?
If you want a quicker version, you can replace the Bechamel sauce with a ready-made cheese sauce or plain sour cream, but the flavors will be different.

3. What are the options for variations?
You can add vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or mushrooms between the layers of meat and potatoes to enrich the dish. Additionally, you can experiment with different types of cheese in the Bechamel sauce.

Nutritional information

This recipe is a good source of protein from the chicken breast and carbohydrates from the potatoes. The Bechamel sauce adds extra calcium, thanks to the cheese and sour cream. Each serving contains approximately 550 calories, but this number may vary depending on the serving sizes and specific ingredients used.

Conclusion

Chicken with potatoes and Bechamel sauce is a recipe that combines simplicity with refinement. It is a dish that will delight even the most discerning gourmets. Add this recipe to your culinary repertoire and enjoy the positive comments from your loved ones! Cook with love and passion, and the result will always be wonderful!