French Chicken Casserole a la Normande
If you’re in search of a heartwarming dish that brings comfort and joy to your table, look no further than French Chicken Casserole a la Normande. This delightful casserole features tender chicken slowly braised with the sweetness of apples and aromatic thyme, creating an inviting aroma that fills your kitchen. Perfect for family dinners or cozy gatherings, this easy-to-make one-pot wonder is sure to impress everyone around the table. With its rich flavors and creamy texture, every bite feels like a warm hug on a chilly evening. Serve it alongside fluffy mashed potatoes or crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce, and enjoy a comforting meal that you’ll want to make again and again.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6 people 1x
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- 4 shallots (or 1 medium onion)
- 1 rib celery
- 4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp apple juice (or barley tea)
- 85 ml chicken stock
- 2 apples (peeled and cut into wedges)
- 125 ml heavy cream
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180C/350F. Pat dry the chicken, season with salt.
- In a large casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and brown the chicken until golden. Remove and set aside.
- In the same dish, sauté diced shallots, celery, and thyme until soft. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add apple juice (or barley tea) to deglaze the pan, scraping up any bits stuck at the bottom. Stir in flour to form a paste.
- Gradually whisk in chicken stock until thickened; then add apple cider (or substitute).
- Return browned chicken to the pot along with thyme sprigs. Bring to a gentle boil, cover, and bake for about 30 minutes.
- Remove lid and continue baking for another 30 minutes until bubbling.
- While baking, sauté apple wedges until golden in reserved fat; stir into casserole after baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup (240g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 97mg