Cozy French Chicken Casserole à la Normande Recipe for Tonight

Culinary magic happens when classic french chicken casserole a la normande meets simple, hearty ingredients.

Normandy’s rich agricultural heritage whispers through each carefully layered bite.

Apples and cream dance together, creating a symphony of rustic flavors.

Delicate chicken pieces nestle among tender vegetables, promising comfort in every spoonful.

Regional traditions merge seamlessly with contemporary cooking techniques in this timeless dish.

Fragrant herbs and smooth cream beckon you to experience a taste of northern France.

This recipe invites passionate home cooks to craft a memorable meal that celebrates authentic French countryside cooking.

French Chicken Casserole a la Normande Made Cozy

• Transforms simple chicken into a restaurant-worthy meal with minimal professional cooking skills required.
• Prepares in under an hour, making it perfect for busy families seeking delicious, homemade dinners without extensive kitchen time.
• Combines sweet apples, rich cream, and savory chicken in a harmonious blend that elevates traditional casserole expectations, creating a sophisticated yet comforting dish that impresses everyone at the table.
• Adapts easily to different occasions- from casual family dinners to elegant dinner parties, with simple ingredient swaps and serving suggestions that match any mood or event.

Everything You Need for French Chicken Casserole a la Normande

• Chicken Pieces: Tender meat that forms the heart of the casserole, best with bone-in, skin-on pieces for rich flavor and juiciness.

• Onions, Garlic: Foundational flavor builders that create a deep, savory base for the dish, choose fresh and firm varieties.
• Mushrooms: Earthy addition that provides depth and umami to the overall flavor profile.

• Apple Slices: Sweet and soft ingredient that adds a classic Norman touch, use firm baking apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp.
• Calvados or Apple Cider: Traditional French spirit or non-alcoholic alternative that brings authentic regional character and sweet-tangy notes.
• Chicken Stock: Rich liquid that helps create a flavorful cooking sauce and keeps the chicken moist.

• Creme Fraiche or Heavy Cream: Luxurious dairy component that creates a silky, rich sauce with subtle tanginess.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright green herb for garnish that adds fresh color and light herbaceous flavor.

• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasonings for enhancing overall taste.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Cooking fats that provide richness and help achieve beautiful golden browning on chicken.

Cook This Classic French Chicken Casserole Step-by-Step

Step 1: Brown the Chicken

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and heat olive oil and butter in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.

Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then sear them for 5 to 7 minutes per side until golden brown.

Transfer the browned chicken to a plate and set it aside.

Step 2: Develop Flavor Base

In the same skillet, sauté the onions until they become soft and translucent.

Add garlic and mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until the mushrooms start to caramelize.

Stir in the apple slices and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until they soften slightly.

Step 3: Deglaze and Build Sauce

Pour Calvados or apple cider into the skillet, scraping up the browned bits from the bottom as it simmers.

Let the liquid reduce slightly, especially if using Calvados, to burn off the alcohol.

Add chicken stock to the pan and stir well to form the flavorful sauce base.

Step 4: Bake the Casserole

Return the browned chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the apples and mushrooms.

Cover the skillet with a lid or foil and transfer it to the preheated oven.

Bake for 30 minutes until the chicken is tender and cooked through.

Step 5: Create Creamy Finish

Remove the skillet from the oven and stir in crème fraîche or heavy cream.

Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Place the skillet back on the stovetop over low heat and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken the sauce.

Step 6: Plate and Enjoy

Garnish the dish with freshly chopped parsley.

Serve hot with creamy mashed potatoes, crusty French bread, or steamed green veggies for a comforting meal.

Tips for Juicy French Chicken Casserole a la Normande

• Boost Chicken Browning: Ensure a golden, crispy exterior by patting chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels before seasoning and searing.
• Swap Ingredients Smartly: Replace Calvados with apple cider for a non-alcoholic version or use brandy for a deeper flavor profile.
• Prevent Mushy Apples: Choose firm apple varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to maintain texture during cooking and avoid turning into applesauce.
• Enhance Sauce Consistency: Whisk creme fraiche slowly into the sauce to prevent curdling and create a smooth, creamy texture that coats the chicken beautifully.
• Control Flavor Intensity: Adjust the apple cider or Calvados quantity to balance the sweetness and ensure the sauce doesn't become overpoweringly rich.

How to Store French Chicken Casserole Without Drying Out

• Store leftover French Chicken Casserole in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Transfer cooled casserole to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Freeze for up to 2 months, ensuring minimal air exposure to prevent freezer burn.
• Preheat oven to 350F. Place casserole in a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly. Add a splash of chicken stock if sauce seems too thick.
• For quick reheating, use microwave on medium power in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval to distribute heat evenly. Avoid overheating to prevent sauce separation.

What Goes Well with Chicken Casserole a la Normande

• Select a Burgundy Chardonnay to complement the rich, creamy sauce and enhance the apple and chicken flavors.
• Create a fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the casserole's richness and provide a refreshing contrast.
• Serve warm, crusty French baguette to soak up the delectable cream sauce and add delightful textural variation to each bite.
• Pour sparkling French cidre or Calvados cocktail to mirror the apple notes in the dish and create a harmonious flavor profile.

Flavorful Variations for French Chicken Casserole

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace creme fraiche with coconut cream or cashew cream for a rich, velvety sauce that caters to lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Low-Carb Champion: Swap apples with roasted cauliflower florets and serve over cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrate content while maintaining the dish's savory profile.
• Vegetarian Transformation: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or jackfruit, using vegetable stock and maintaining the original herb and spice blend for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use cornstarch instead of traditional thickeners to create a safe meal for those with gluten sensitivities.

French Chicken Casserole A La Normande Recipe

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4.9 from 14 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Comfort meets elegance in this French chicken casserole à la Normande, where creamy apple-infused sauce embraces tender chicken. Rich Normandy flavors dance across your plate, promising a delightful culinary journey through northern France’s cherished countryside.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs

Produce:

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
• ¼ cup (15 grams) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)

Dairy, Cooking Fats, and Liquids:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 8 ounces (225 grams) mushrooms, sliced
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) dry apple cider
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) chicken broth
• ½ cup (120 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Initiate by warming the oven to a moderate temperature of 350F (175C), creating an ideal environment for the upcoming culinary adventure.
2. Select a robust, oven-safe skillet and meld olive oil with butter over a medium-high flame, establishing a flavorful foundation for the dish.
3. Meticulously season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then carefully sear each side until a rich, golden crust develops, approximately 5-7 minutes per surface.
4. Transfer the beautifully browned chicken to a temporary holding plate, preserving its nascent flavors.
5. Within the same skillet, introduce onions and transform them into translucent, softened morsels of sweetness.
6. Incorporate minced garlic and sliced mushrooms, allowing them to dance and caramelize for several minutes until achieving a delicate bronze hue.
7. Gently layer apple slices into the aromatic mixture, stirring occasionally to coax out their subtle softness.
8. Deglaze the skillet with Calvados or apple cider, expertly scraping accumulated flavor fragments from the pan’s bottom.
9. Pour chicken stock into the bubbling medley, creating a luxurious liquid foundation.
10. Nestle the previously seared chicken back into the skillet, surrounding it with apples and mushrooms.
11. Cocoon the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and slide into the preheated oven, allowing gentle heat to transform the ingredients for approximately 30 minutes.
12. Once chicken reaches perfect tenderness, remove from oven and fold in creme fraiche, creating a silken, creamy embrace.
13. Return to stovetop, simmering briefly to harmonize flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
14. Conclude by sprinkling freshly chopped parsley, presenting a vibrant, rustic French chicken casserole ready to enchant discerning palates.

Notes

• Choose bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs for maximum flavor and juiciness, ensuring tender meat that stays moist during baking.
• Opt for firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to provide a balanced sweetness and maintain texture during cooking.
• Consider using apple brandy or dry white wine as alternatives to Calvados for added depth and complexity in the sauce.
• Substitute dairy-free options like coconut cream or cashew cream for a lactose-free version that maintains the creamy richness of the original recipe.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 12 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 18 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 120 mg