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French Chicken Casserole

Cozy Up with French Chicken Casserole for Ultimate Comfort

This French Chicken Casserole a la Normande is a comforting dish that combines tender chicken and caramelized apples for ultimate comfort.
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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: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Casserole
  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil can be swapped with any neutral oil like canola
  • 4 pieces Chicken Thighs and Legs Bone-in, skin-on for rich flavor
  • 1 teaspoon Salt to taste
  • 2 pieces Shallots or Medium Onion
  • 2 stalks Rib Celery or substitute with fennel
  • 1 tablespoon Fresh Thyme or use rosemary
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced, or use garlic powder
  • 150 grams Bacon Lardons or chopped bacon
  • 1/2 cup Brandy or Whiskey, for deglazing
  • 1/4 cup Flour or cornstarch for gluten-free
  • 2 cups Chicken Stock homemade preferred
  • 1 cup Hard Dry Apple Cider e.g., Strongbow
  • 2 pieces Apples sliced, e.g., Granny Smith or Honeycrisp
  • 1/2 cup Double Cream optional, use coconut cream for dairy-free

Equipment

  • oven-safe skillet
  • Dutch oven

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Pat the chicken dry and season with salt. Heat olive oil in a skillet, brown the chicken skin-side down for 5 to 7 minutes, then transfer to a plate.
  3. In the same skillet, cook chopped bacon lardons for 4 to 5 minutes until crispy. Transfer to the plate with chicken.
  4. Sauté shallots and celery in the skillet for 5 to 7 minutes. Add fresh thyme last minute.
  5. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds.
  6. Pour in brandy to deglaze the pan, scraping up browned bits. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes.
  7. Sprinkle flour and stir for about a minute. Gradually add chicken stock and apple cider, stirring until thickened.
  8. Return chicken and bacon to the skillet, coat in sauce. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
  9. Remove lid and bake for an additional 30 minutes until skin is crispy.
  10. Fry apple wedges in reserved bacon fat for 5 to 7 minutes until caramelized.
  11. Mix in double cream and top with fried apples before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 32gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 135mgSodium: 900mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 500IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish can be adapted for gluten-free or dairy-free diets by substituting ingredients as needed.

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