Description
Hearty Chicken Cider Casserole brings rustic French countryside comfort to dinner tables with its rich, apple-infused essence. Succulent chicken nestles among seasonal vegetables, promising a warm embrace of flavor that delights home cooks seeking a soul-satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 x 640 grams (1.41 pounds) chicken thigh fillets, halved
- 500 grams (17.64 ounces) baby new potatoes, halved
- 250 grams (8.82 ounces) smoked bacon lardons
Vegetable Components:
- 500 grams (17.64 ounces) leeks, sliced
- 150 grams (5.29 ounces) frozen peas
- 3 garlic cloves, sliced
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 500 milliliters (16.91 fluid ounces) dry cider
- 500 milliliters (16.91 fluid ounces) chicken stock
- 3 tablespoons plain flour
- 75 grams (2.65 ounces) creme fraiche
- 2 tablespoons wholegrain mustard
- 10 grams (0.35 ounces) fresh tarragon, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Sear chicken thighs in hot oil until golden brown, creating a rich caramelized exterior. Transfer to a separate plate.
- Render bacon in the same skillet until crispy and deep mahogany in color, releasing its smoky essence.
- Gently sauté leeks and garlic in remaining bacon fat, creating a fragrant base. Dust with flour, stirring to create a smooth roux.
- Pour cider and stock into the pan, whisking to eliminate any flour lumps. Reintroduce chicken and bacon to the liquid.
- Nestle cubed potatoes into the sauce, allowing them to absorb the rich flavors. Simmer uncovered at medium-low heat for approximately 40-45 minutes until chicken is tender and potatoes are soft.
- In the final moments of cooking, fold in vibrant green peas, creamy creme fraiche, tangy mustard, and aromatic tarragon. Gently stir to integrate flavors and warm through.
- Ladle the hearty casserole into deep serving bowls, ensuring each portion contains chicken, vegetables, and abundant sauce. Accompany with crusty artisan bread for perfect dipping.
Notes
- Chicken selection matters: Opt for bone-in, skin-on thighs for richer flavor and juicier meat that won’t dry out during long cooking.
- Bacon versatility: Use pancetta or smoked bacon for different flavor profiles, or skip for a lighter vegetarian version with extra mushrooms.
- Gluten-free adaptation: Replace wheat flour with cornstarch or gluten-free flour blend to make the dish celiac-friendly without compromising thickness.
- Herb flexibility: Fresh tarragon can be swapped with thyme or rosemary if unavailable, maintaining the dish’s aromatic complexity.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 682 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 48 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 35 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg