Description
Experience the rich flavors of Normandy with this French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, featuring tender chicken, smoky bacon, and sweet apples in a creamy cider sauce.
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 / 1/2 cup double cream/heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- In a large oven-safe pot, heat olive oil over medium-high heat.
- Season chicken pieces with salt and brown them in the pot for about 5 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside.
- In the same pot, add shallots, celery, thyme, and garlic, cooking until soft.
- Add bacon and cook until crispy.
- Pour in brandy or whiskey, scraping up any brown bits, and let it reduce.
- Sprinkle in flour and stir well to combine, then add chicken stock and cider.
- Return chicken to the pot along with apple wedges and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stir in double cream, cover, and transfer to the oven for 30 minutes.
- Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.
Notes
Feel free to use different types of apples for a varied flavor profile. Adjust the amount of bacon according to preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop / Casserole
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 560 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 31 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 45 g
- Cholesterol: 155 mg
Keywords: French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, chicken recipes, apple cider casserole, French cuisine, comfort food