Description
French Chicken Casserole a la Normande is a comforting French dish that beautifully marries tender chicken with the sweetness of apples and the deep flavor of apple cider. This casserole is perfect for cozy family dinners or special occasions, delivering rich flavors with minimal effort. The combination of thyme, garlic, and creamy sauce makes every bite delightful. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that warms the heart and impresses guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- 4 shallots or 1 medium onion
- 125g Turkey Bacon lardons
- 400ml hard dry apple cider
- 2 apples (peeled and cut into wedges)
- 125ml double cream
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Pat chicken dry, season with salt, then brown in olive oil in a large casserole dish.
- Cook Turkey Bacon in the same pan until crispy; set aside.
- Sauté shallots and celery until soft, add garlic.
- Deglaze with brandy, stir in flour, then gradually add chicken stock and apple cider.
- Return chicken and bacon to the pan; bring to a boil, then bake covered for 30 min followed by uncovered for another 30 min.
- Fry apple wedges until golden; stir in heavy cream after baking.
- Serve with fried apples on top.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 760mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 130mg
Keywords: Use fresh ingredients for maximum flavor. Adjust cooking time based on chicken piece size. Consider adding vegetables like carrots or mushrooms for extra depth.