Description
A hearty and creamy chicken casserole that is perfect for a family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 whole chicken (about 3–4 pounds), cut into 8 pieces
- to taste Salt and black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced
- 2 carrots, sliced
- 2 celery stalks, chopped
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms
- 1 cup turkey ham, cubed (optional)
- for garnish Fresh parsley
Instructions
- Sear the Chicken: Start by seasoning your chicken pieces generously with salt and black pepper. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large Dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Sear the chicken in batches until golden brown on all sides. Set aside on a plate.
- Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add the sliced onions and garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes until fragrant, then stir in the carrots and celery. Let them cook down slightly—about 5 minutes—until tender.
- Add the Apples and Flour: Stir in the apple slices and cook for another 2–3 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to coat all the vegetables evenly. This will help thicken the sauce later on.
- Deglaze and Build the Sauce: Pour in the apple cider and scrape up the brown bits from the bottom of the pot. Then add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir well. Add thyme, parsley, and the bay leaf. Bring everything to a gentle simmer.
- Combine and Simmer: Return the seared chicken to the pot. Add the mushrooms and cubed turkey ham if using. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let everything simmer gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is fall-apart tender and the sauce is thick and creamy.
- Finish and Serve: Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning if needed. Remove the bay leaf. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley. This casserole pairs beautifully with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes.
Notes
- This dish can be prepared in advance and reheated before serving.
- Feel free to customize the vegetables based on your preferences.
- This casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months; just be sure to cool completely before freezing.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 15g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 120mg