Description
French Chicken Casserole a la Normande is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, sweet apples, and the aromatic essence of thyme, all simmered in rich apple cider. This comforting casserole is perfect for family dinners or festive gatherings, bringing warmth and satisfaction to any table. The creamy texture paired with the savory flavors makes it an ideal choice for those chilly evenings. Not only is it easy to prepare, but it’s also a versatile recipe that allows for ingredient swaps to suit your tastes. Serve it with crusty bread or fluffy rice to soak up the delicious sauce, making every bite a delightful experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- 4 shallots (or 1 medium onion)
- 1 rib celery
- 4–5 sprigs thyme
- 2 cloves garlic
- 125g Turkey Bacon lardons (or chopped Turkey Bacon)
- 400ml hard dry apple cider
- 2 apples (peeled and cut into wedges)
- 125ml double cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180C (350F). Pat dry chicken and season with salt.
- In a large casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken until golden. Set aside.
- In the same pan, fry turkey bacon until rendered; remove and set aside.
- Sauté shallots and celery in the same pan until soft. Add minced garlic and cook briefly before deglazing with brandy.
- Mix in flour to create a paste, then gradually add chicken stock and cider while stirring until thickened.
- Return chicken and turkey bacon to the dish, add thyme sprigs, bring to a boil, then cover and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and bake for another 30 minutes while caramelizing apple wedges in reserved fat.
- Stir in heavy cream, bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, then mix in cooked apple wedges before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 652mg
- Fat: 27g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 118mg