Description
This French Chicken Casserole a la Normande is a delightful dish that combines the rich flavors of chicken, cider, and apples, creating a comforting and hearty meal perfect for gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 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/1 1/2 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 375°F (190°C).
- In a large oven-safe dish, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken thighs and legs, seasoning with salt, and brown them on all sides.
- Remove chicken and set aside. In the same dish, add the shallots, celery, thyme, and garlic, cooking until softened.
- Stir in the bacon lardons and cook until crispy. Then add the brandy or whiskey to deglaze, scraping up any brown bits.
- Sprinkle flour over the mixture, stir well, and cook for 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually pour in the chicken stock and apple cider, mixing until smooth.
- Return the chicken to the dish along with the apple wedges. Drizzle with double cream, cover, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the cover and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is bubbly.
Notes
Serve with crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Dinner / Main Course
- Method: Stovetop + Simmered
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken portion with sauce
- Calories: 480 kcal
- Sugar: 8 g
- Sodium: 620 mg
- Fat: 30 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 36 g
- Cholesterol: 145 mg
Keywords: French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, chicken casserole, cider chicken, French cuisine, comfort food