Name: French Chicken Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 40 min
Total time: 2 h
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs; Salt, to taste; 4 shallots (diced) or 1 medium onion (diced); 1 rib celery (diced); 4–5 thyme sprigs (plus more for garnish); 2 cloves garlic (minced); 125g/4 oz turkey bacon lardons (or 6 strips of turkey bacon, chopped); 2 tbsp lemon juice; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 85 ml/1/3 cup chicken stock; 400 ml/1 ½ cups hard dry apple cider (such as Strongbow); 2 apples (peeled, cored, and cut into wedges); 125 ml/½ cup double cream/heavy cream

Description

This French Chicken Casserole is a rustic and comforting dish inspired by the flavors of Normandy. It features tender chicken thighs and legs simmered in a creamy cider sauce with turkey bacon, apples, and aromatic vegetables. Perfect for a hearty family dinner or a cozy gathering, this dish is a delicious combination of savory and slightly sweet flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken:

1 tbsp olive oil
2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
Salt, to taste

For the casserole:

4 shallots (diced) or 1 medium onion (diced)
1 rib celery (diced)
4–5 thyme sprigs (plus more for garnish)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
125g/4 oz turkey bacon lardons (or 6 strips of turkey bacon, chopped)
2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
85 ml/1/3 cup chicken stock
400 ml/1 ½ cups hard dry apple cider (such as Strongbow)

For the finishing touch:

2 apples (peeled, cored, and cut into wedges)
125 ml/½ cup double cream/heavy cream

Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Chicken:
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Pat the chicken thighs and legs dry with a paper towel, then season with salt. This helps ensure a golden, crispy exterior.

2️⃣ Brown the Chicken:
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe casserole dish over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and brown on all sides until golden, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside. Discard or reserve excess chicken fat.

3️⃣ Cook the turkey Bacon:
In the same pan, cook the turkey bacon lardons over medium heat until they release their fat and become crispy. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and set aside with the chicken.

4️⃣ Sauté the Vegetables:
Add the diced shallots, celery, and thyme sprigs to the same pan. Cook over low heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

5️⃣ Deglaze with Lemon:
Pour the lemon into the pan, stirring to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom.

6️⃣ Create the Sauce:
Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir to create a paste. Gradually pour in the chicken stock, stirring constantly to prevent lumps. Add the hard apple cider and stir to combine into a smooth sauce.

7️⃣ Assemble the Casserole:
Return the browned chicken and crispy turkey bacon to the casserole dish. Add a few sprigs of thyme for extra flavor. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

8️⃣ Bake the Casserole:
Cover the dish with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven. Bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes to let the sauce reduce and the chicken tenderize.

9️⃣ Prepare the Apples:
While the casserole bakes, heat 2 tbsp of reserved chicken fat or butter in a skillet. Fry the apple wedges over medium heat until golden and caramelized, about 3-4 minutes per side.

🔟 Finish with Cream:
Remove the casserole from the oven and stir in the heavy cream. Add the fried apples to the dish and mix gently. Return to the oven, uncovered, for another 20 minutes to let the flavors meld and the sauce thicken.

Notes

Use a high-quality hard cider for an authentic Norman flavor.
For a richer sauce, add an extra splash of cream just before serving.
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently on the stovetop.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour 40 minutes

Nutrition

Serving Size: 4-6