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Hearty French Chicken Casserole

Hearty French Chicken Casserole for Cozy Family Nights

This Hearty French Chicken Casserole a la Normande combines tender chicken, creamy sauce, and caramelized apples for a satisfying family meal.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: French
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 4 pieces Chicken thighs and legs Use skin-on, bone-in for the best results.
  • 1 teaspoon Salt Season generously to enhance flavor.
  • 2 medium Shallots A medium onion can be used as a substitute.
  • 2 stalks Celery Optional, but enhances texture and flavor.
  • 1 teaspoon Thyme Fresh preferred, dried is acceptable.
  • 4 cloves Garlic Use minced for stronger flavor.
  • 200 grams Bacon lardons Can be replaced with pancetta or omitted.
  • 100 ml Brandy or whiskey Great alternatives include apple juice or chicken stock.
  • 50 grams Flour Essential for thickening the sauce.
  • 500 ml Chicken stock Homemade preferred but store-bought works too.
  • 330 ml Hard dry apple cider Substitutable with non-alcoholic cider.
  • 2 pieces Apples Choose firm varieties for frying.
  • 100 ml Double cream/heavy cream Can be omitted for a dairy-free version.
For the Topping
  • 2 pieces Apple wedges Fry until golden for caramelization.

Equipment

  • Dutch oven
  • Skillet

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and gather all your ingredients.
  2. Pat the chicken dry and season generously with salt.
  3. Sear the chicken skin-side down in a Dutch oven for 6-8 minutes until golden brown, then flip and sear the other side.
  4. Cook the bacon lardons in the same pot until crispy, then remove and leave the fat.
  5. Sauté shallots and celery in the bacon fat for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Add thyme and garlic, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
  7. Deglaze with brandy or whiskey, scraping up the browned bits, and simmer for 2 minutes.
  8. Sprinkle flour and whisk, then gradually stir in chicken stock and apple cider, cooking until thickened (3-5 minutes).
  9. Add the chicken and bacon back into the pot, bring to a gentle boil, cover, and bake for 30 minutes.
  10. Uncover and bake for another 30 minutes to deepen flavors and thicken sauce.
  11. Fry the apple wedges in a skillet until golden.
  12. Stir in cream, bake uncovered for another 20 minutes.
  13. Fold in caramelized apple wedges before serving and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 40gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 150mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 1000IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 50mgIron: 2mg

Notes

Perfectly sear the chicken for maximum flavor. Don't skip deglazing for depth in the sauce. Adjust seasoning gradually and consider prepping a day in advance for richer flavors.

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