Name: Simple French Chicken Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 50 min
Total time: 2 h 10 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 2 lb chicken legs and thighs (or 4 boneless thighs), skin-on; Salt, to season; 4 shallots or 1 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 rib celery, diced; 2 tbsp halal-approved ham or smoked turkey; 4-5 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 2 tbsp apple juice; 2 tbsp all-purpose flour; 1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth; 1 1/2 cups non-alcoholic apple cider; 2 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges; 1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream

Simple French Chicken Casserole

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A rustic and refined French-inspired chicken casserole featuring golden-brown chicken, a rich sauce with apple cider, and perfectly caramelized apples. Perfect for cozy meals and adaptable to leftovers or seasonal vegetables.

Author: Layan
Prep Time: 20
Cook Time: 110
Total Time: 130
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: quick
Method: Baking
Cuisine: French
Diet: Non-Pork

Ingredients

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1 tbsp olive oil
2 lb chicken legs and thighs (or 4 boneless thighs), skin-on
Salt, to season
4 shallots or 1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 rib celery, diced
2 tbsp halal-approved ham or smoked turkey
4–5 sprigs fresh thyme
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tbsp apple juice
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1/3 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups non-alcoholic apple cider
2 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges
1/2 cup heavy cream or coconut cream

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Instructions

Pat chicken dry and season with salt. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a casserole dish over medium-high heat. Brown chicken in batches until golden (about 5-6 minutes per side). Transfer to a platter.
In the same dish, cook halal ham or smoked turkey until golden. Remove and set aside. Add shallots, celery, and 2 thyme sprigs. Cook 5 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and apple juice for 30 seconds, scraping the pan to deglaze.
Stir in flour, then gradually add broth, mixing to avoid lumps. Pour in apple cider, stir to combine. Return chicken and ham to the dish. Add remaining thyme. Cover and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake 30 minutes more.
While baking, fry apple wedges in a skillet with 1 tbsp reserved chicken fat (or olive oil) until golden. Optional: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon for extra warmth.
Stir in heavy cream and bake 20 minutes more. Fold in cooked apples, then serve hot.

Notes

Use bone-in thighs for more flavor, or substitute with leftover chicken. Can be made ahead and refrigerated for 1 day before baking. Apples can be swapped with seasonal veggies like carrots or parsnips.
For a vegan option, use coconut cream and vegan ham substitute.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 420
Sugar: 18g
Sodium: 300mg
Fat: 28g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 34g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Find it online: https://yumandrun.com/simple-french-chicken-casserole/