Tom Selleck’s favorite chicken dinner features a surprising ingredient that takes this comforting classic to the next level.
Reviewed by Dietitian Jessica Ball, M.S., RD
Key Takeaways
- Tom Selleck’s chicken recipe features a surprising ingredient: ginger ale in the sauce.
- The dish combines chicken, vegetables, wine, and artichokes for a cozy, nutrient-packed meal.
- Pair with brown rice or quinoa for added fiber and whole grains to balance the meal.
A chicken dinner is a classic dish that many of us eat on a weekly basis, whether it’s a roast bird, a sheet pan of fajitas or a quick pan of cutlets. It’s the same case for Magnum P.I. and Blue Bloods actor Tom Selleck, who shared his recipe for Chicken with Wine and Vegetables back in the day.
Also known as Quigley’s Chicken, an homage to Selleck’s 1990 western Quigley Down Under, this dish has appeared in numerous recipe collections, including The All–American Cowboy Cookbook. The recipe shares similarities with many classic chicken dinners, pairing chicken breasts with butter, mushrooms, onions and wine, but Selleck makes the dish his own by making his own special sauce. In fact, that sauce has a surprising special ingredient—ginger ale.
To make this dish, start by gathering your ingredients: sliced onions, butter, bone-in chicken breasts, flour, mushrooms, orange juice, Marsala wine, ginger ale, lemon juice and canned artichoke hearts. Brown the onions in 1 tablespoon of butter, then remove them from the pan. Season your halved chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then roll them in flour to evenly coat them in a thin layer. Brown the chicken in another 2 tablespoons of butter, then remove it from the pan, too.
In a sturdy, oven-safe Dutch oven, layer your onions, chicken and uncooked mushrooms. In a bowl, mix up those liquid ingredients, including your juices, wine and ginger ale, then pour the mixture over the chicken and vegetables. Bake the chicken, veggies and sauce for an hour at 350° F. Then add the drained artichoke hearts to the pot and bake for another 30 minutes.
As the chicken cooks, all of the ingredients come together to create the famous sauce that compliments the rest of the meal. The result is a cozy dinner perfect for a night in, and Selleck recommends pairing with hot brown rice.
Not only is this dish delicious, but it offers nutritional benefits—chicken is a good source of lean protein, while the artichoke hearts in the recipe add fiber. That protein and fiber can help support your muscle growth, gut health and even your satiety. For a more balanced meal, consider adding brown rice or quinoa to add whole grains and extra fiber. Whether you’re looking to switch up your usual chicken dinner or wanting to try a celebrity favorite, this comforting dish is worth adding to your weeknight rotation.