Description
This hearty French Chicken Casserole a la Normande combines tender chicken with the delightful flavors of apples, bacon, and a creamy cider sauce, making it a comforting dish for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1kg / 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- salt
- 4 shallots diced or one medium onion
- 1 rib celery diced
- 4–5 thyme sprigs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 125g / 4 oz bacon lardons or 6 strips of bacon chopped
- 2 tbsp brandy or whiskey
- 2 tbsp flour
- 85 ml / 1/3 cup chicken stock
- 400ml / 1½ cups hard dry apple cider such as Strongbow
- 2 apples peeled cored and cut into wedges
- 125ml / 1/2cup double cream/heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a large ovenproof casserole dish, heat the olive oil over medium heat and brown the chicken pieces on all sides.
- Remove the chicken and set aside. In the same dish, sauté the shallots and celery until softened.
- Add the thyme, garlic, and bacon lardons, cooking until the bacon is crispy.
- Stir in the brandy or whiskey and simmer for a couple of minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring to coat the vegetables.
- Gradually add the chicken stock and cider, stirring to remove any lumps.
- Return the chicken to the dish and nestle the apple wedges around it.
- Cover and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Remove from the oven, stir in the double cream, and serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, you can use a mixture of different apple varieties. Adjust the consistency of the sauce with more or less cream, depending on your preference.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: One-Pot / Simmering
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590 kcal
- Sugar: 13 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 42 g
- Cholesterol: 190 mg
Keywords: French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, chicken casserole, comfort food, apple cider, French cuisine