French Chicken Casserole a la Normande
Indulge in the comforting flavors of French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, a heartwarming dish that combines tender chicken with sweet apples and aromatic thyme, all enveloped in a creamy sauce. This casserole is perfect for family gatherings or cozy dinners, effortlessly bringing a taste of France to your kitchen. With its delightful blend of savory and sweet notes, this recipe is sure to impress both family and guests alike. Easy to prepare and versatile enough to serve over rice or potatoes, it’s a dish that promises warmth and satisfaction in every bite.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
- Yield: Approximately six servings 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 4 shallots (or 1 medium onion)
- 1 rib celery
- 4-5 thyme sprigs
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp apple juice
- 85 ml chicken stock
- 2 apples (peeled and cored)
- 125 ml double cream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180C/350F. Pat dry chicken and season with salt.
- In a large casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Brown the chicken on all sides, then set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté shallots, celery, and thyme until soft. Add minced garlic and cook briefly.
- Deglaze with apple juice, then stir in flour. Gradually add chicken stock until thickened.
- Pour in apple cider, return chicken to the dish with remaining thyme; bring to a boil.
- Cover and bake for 30 minutes; uncover and bake for another 30 minutes.
- Stir in cream, bake uncovered for an additional 20 minutes, then fold in cooked apple wedges before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 130mg