Жульен — Mushroom and Chicken Julienne

Russian Non Fasting Published April 21, 2026

Non-Fasting Recipe: This dish contains meat, dairy, or eggs and is intended for feast days and non-fasting periods.

Despite the French name, жульен is purely a Russian restaurant classic — small individual gratins
of tender chicken and mushrooms bound in a creamy béchamel-like sauce, topped with cheese, and
baked in miniature copper or ceramic pots called kokotnitsa. The ideal appetiser for a feast.

FASTING LEVEL: Non-Fasting (butter, cream, cheese, chicken)

SERVINGS: 6
TIME: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS:
- 400 g chicken breast, diced small (5 mm)
- 500 g mushrooms (cremini or white button), diced
- 2 medium onions, very finely diced
- 3 tablespoons butter, plus more for ramekins
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 300 ml heavy cream
- 200 ml whole milk
- 150 g Gruyère or Russian твёрдый сыр, grated
- 0.5 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and white pepper to taste
- Fresh dill, for serving

METHOD:
1. Preheat oven to 200C (400F). Butter 6 small ramekins or heatproof cups.
2. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté chicken for 3-4 minutes until just cooked through. Season with salt. Remove to a plate.
3. In the same pan, melt another tablespoon of butter. Sauté onions 5 minutes until translucent.
4. Add mushrooms and cook until well browned and all moisture has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
5. In a separate saucepan, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk, then cream. Simmer gently, whisking, for 3-4 minutes until thickened. Season with nutmeg, salt, and white pepper.
6. Combine chicken, mushroom mixture, and cream sauce. Stir in half the grated cheese.
7. Divide mixture among prepared ramekins. Top generously with remaining cheese.
8. Bake for 12-15 minutes until bubbling and deeply golden on top. Finish under the broiler for 1 minute for extra colour.
9. Rest 5 minutes before serving — the ramekins are dangerously hot. Top with dill.

NOTES:
- Жульен is an appetiser in traditional Russian service — served on a small plate with a teaspoon, before the soup course.
- The dice must be small. Large chunks of meat or mushroom do not work in this format.
- You can substitute veal or turkey for chicken. All-mushroom versions are equally classic (грибной жюльен).
- Make the filling a day ahead, spoon into ramekins, and bake just before serving.

NUTRITION (per ramekin, approximate):
Calories: 380 | Protein: 22 g | Carbohydrates: 10 g | Fat: 28 g | Fibre: 1 g