French Chicken Casserole a la Normande
Indulge in the warmth and comfort of French Chicken Casserole a la Normande, a delightful dish that brings together tender chicken, sweet apples, and aromatic thyme. This cozy casserole is perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings. As it simmers in the oven, the delicious aroma fills your home, inviting everyone to the table for a heartwarming meal. Easy to prepare and packed with flavor, this dish is destined to become a cherished favorite in your kitchen.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 90 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: Serves approximately 6
- Category: Main
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- Salt
- 4 shallots (diced) or 1 medium onion
- 1 rib celery (diced)
- 4–5 thyme sprigs
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp apple juice
- 2 tbsp flour
- 85 ml chicken stock
- 2 apples (peeled, cored, and cut into wedges)
- 125 ml double cream or coconut cream for dairy-free version
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180C/350F.
- Pat chicken dry with paper towels, sprinkle with salt.
- In a large casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium-high heat; brown chicken until golden and set aside.
- In the same pan, sauté shallots and celery with thyme for about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Deglaze with apple juice; add flour to form a paste, then gradually stir in chicken stock.
- Return browned chicken to the casserole with additional thyme; bring to a boil.
- Cover and bake for 30 minutes.
- Uncover, add apple wedges, and bake for an additional 30 minutes.
- Stir in cream before serving; let it meld for another 20 minutes.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1 cup (250g)
- Calories: 415
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 115mg