Homestyle French Chicken Casserole À La Normande Recipe

Comfort meets elegance in this rustic french chicken casserole à la normande that promises to transport you straight to the countryside of Normandy.

Creamy, rich flavors meld together in a single pot, creating a symphony of taste that will delight your senses.

Tender chicken pieces nestle among hearty vegetables, embracing the classic French culinary tradition.

Apples and cream form the backbone of this traditional dish, infusing each bite with subtle sweetness and depth.

The combination of local ingredients transforms a simple meal into a luxurious experience.

Herbs and a splash of calvados add an authentic touch that elevates this casserole from ordinary to extraordinary.

Prepare to savor a piece of French culinary heritage that will become a cherished recipe in your cooking repertoire.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Gather What You Need for French Chicken Casserole à la Normande

• Chicken Pieces: Tender meat perfect for soaking up rich flavors, choose bone-in thighs or drumsticks for maximum juiciness and depth of taste.

• Onions, Garlic, Mushrooms: Flavor foundations that create a robust base, select fresh white button or cremini mushrooms for earthy undertones and crisp onions for natural sweetness.

• Calvados or Apple Cider: Provides distinctive French countryside character, opt for authentic Normandy calvados or high-quality local apple cider for genuine regional taste.
• Chicken Stock: Builds profound depth in sauce, use homemade or low-sodium store-bought for controlled saltiness.
• Creme Fraiche or Heavy Cream: Creates luxurious silky texture, select full-fat versions for richest consistency.
• Olive Oil, Butter: Essential for developing golden chicken exterior and preventing sticking, use unsalted butter for precise seasoning control.
• Salt, Pepper: Fundamental seasoning agents, choose sea salt and freshly ground black pepper for clean, bright flavor profile.

• Fresh Parsley: Bright herb that adds color and fresh zesty notes, select vibrant green leaves without wilting.
• Apples: Brings sweet-tart dimension, use firm varieties like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp that hold shape during cooking.

Tools That Make This French Casserole Feel Fancy

• Large Oven-Safe Skillet: Essential for browning chicken and creating the entire dish.
• Chef's Knife: Perfect for chopping onions, garlic, mushrooms, and apple slices.
• Cutting Board: Provides a clean surface for preparing ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and scraping browned bits from skillet.
• Measuring Cups: Helps accurately measure stock, Calvados, and cream.
• Tongs: Helpful for turning and moving chicken pieces during browning.
• Stovetop and Oven: Required for cooking and baking the casserole.

How to Bake French Chicken Casserole Like a Cozy Bistro Pro

• Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to a cozy 350F, preparing a welcoming space for your delicious chicken dish.

• Brown the Chicken

Sizzle chicken pieces in a skillet with olive oil and butter, creating a golden exterior that promises incredible flavor. Season generously with salt and pepper.

• Build Flavor Layers

Toss onions into the same skillet, watching them turn translucent. Add garlic and mushrooms, letting them dance and develop a rich, caramelized essence.

• Introduce Apple

Slide apple slices into the skillet, letting them soften and release their sweet, subtle tang. Pour in Calvados or apple cider, scraping up those delicious browned bits.

• Create the Casserole

Nestle the browned chicken back into the skillet, surrounding it with apples and mushrooms. Cover and slide into the oven, letting everything mingle and become tender for 30 minutes.

• Finish with Creamy Elegance

Swirl in creme fraiche, transforming the dish into a luxurious, silky creation. Simmer gently to thicken the sauce and blend flavors.

• Serve with Joy

Sprinkle fresh parsley on top and present your masterpiece alongside mashed potatoes or crusty bread, ready to delight hungry guests.

Personal Touches to Make Your Casserole More ‘You’

• Prepare the entire casserole a day in advance and gently reheat in the oven, allowing flavors to meld and intensify for an even more delicious meal.
• Replace wheat-based ingredients with gluten-free alternatives like cornstarch for thickening and ensure all stock and cream are certified gluten-free.
• Swap full-fat cream with Greek yogurt or low-fat cream to reduce calories without compromising the rich, creamy texture of the dish.
• Replace chicken with firm tofu, portobello mushrooms, or hearty root vegetables like butternut squash for a plant-based version that maintains the classic French flavor profile.
• Experiment with different herb combinations like thyme, rosemary, or tarragon to create unique flavor variations while keeping the traditional Normandy-style essence.

Plate It Like You’re in Normandy

• Cozy Comfort Plating: Nestle the golden-brown chicken with its creamy apple sauce over fluffy mashed potatoes, creating a warming main course that hugs your taste buds.
• Rustic Countryside Companion: Serve alongside crusty French bread to soak up the delectable sauce, transforming each bite into a delightful culinary journey through Normandy's rich flavors.
• Elegant Vegetable Pairing: Complement the dish with lightly steamed green beans or roasted asparagus, adding a fresh, crisp contrast to the rich, creamy chicken casserole.
• Wine Harmony Match: Pour a crisp white Chardonnay or a light Pinot Noir to enhance the apple and cream notes, elevating the dining experience with perfect beverage accompaniment.

Save French Chicken Casserole for an Reheat

• Prepare double the recipe and divide into individual portions for quick weeknight meals. Sealed containers in the refrigerator keep this dish fresh for 3-4 days, making meal prep a breeze.
• Cool the casserole completely before transferring to airtight freezer containers. Freeze up to 2 months for convenient future dinners. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat gently to maintain sauce consistency.
• Chop onions, slice apples, and measure spices in advance. Store prepped ingredients in sealed containers within the refrigerator, reducing day-of cooking time by 15-20 minutes.
• Shred remaining chicken and mix with sauce to create delicious sandwich fillings, salad toppings, or quick pasta mix-ins. Repurposing leftovers adds excitement and reduces food waste.

FAQs

• What is Calvados and can I substitute it?

Calvados is an apple brandy from Normandy, France. If unavailable, you can substitute with apple cider or apple juice for a non-alcoholic version.

• How do I know the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C). The meat should be white throughout with no pink areas.

• Can I use boneless chicken for this recipe?

Yes, boneless chicken thighs or breasts work well. Just adjust cooking time slightly to prevent overcooking, as boneless cuts cook faster than bone-in pieces.

The recipe uses classic Norman ingredients like apples, cream, and Calvados, which are staples in the cuisine of the Normandy region in France.

Rustic French Chicken Casserole A La Normande Recipe

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4.7 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Rich French Chicken Casserole a la Normande blends hearty Normandy ingredients with classic culinary techniques. Creamy apple-infused sauce and tender chicken create a memorable dining experience you will savor.

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Ingredients

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• 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
• 8 oz (225 g) mushrooms, sliced
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 large apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 2 tbsps butter
• ½ cup (120 ml) dry apple cider
• 1 cup (240 ml) chicken broth
• ½ cup (120 ml) heavy cream
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1 tsp dried thyme)
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped fresh parsley (for garnish)
• Salt and pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a consistent cooking environment for the French chicken casserole.
2. Searing: Heat olive oil and butter in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces and sear until golden brown on all sides, creating a rich, caramelized exterior.
3. Aromatics: Remove chicken and in the same skillet, sauté onions until translucent. Add garlic and mushrooms, cooking until they develop a delicate caramelized texture.
4. Fruity Layer: Introduce apple slices to the skillet, gently incorporating them into the aromatic vegetable medley.
5. Liquid Foundation: Deglaze the pan with Calvados or apple cider, scraping up the flavorful browned bits. Pour in chicken stock, creating a robust cooking liquid.
6. Braising: Return chicken to the skillet, nestling it among the apples and mushrooms. Cover and transfer to the preheated oven, allowing the ingredients to meld and tenderize for 30 minutes.
7. Finishing Touch: Remove from oven and stir in creme fraiche, transforming the sauce into a luxurious, creamy coating. Briefly simmer on the stovetop to intensify flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
8. Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley, presenting a rustic and elegant French chicken casserole ready to delight the senses.

Notes

Control Chicken Moisture: Pat chicken pieces completely dry before searing to ensure a perfect golden-brown crust and prevent steaming instead of browning.

Enhance Flavor Depth: Use homemade chicken stock instead of store-bought for richer, more complex taste profile in the sauce.

Choose Right Apples: Select firm, slightly tart apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn that hold shape during cooking and provide balanced acidity to the dish.

Adapt for Dietary Needs: Substitute creme fraiche with coconut cream for dairy-free version or Greek yogurt for lower-fat alternative without compromising overall creamy texture.

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

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 100 mg