This chicken Normandy recipe (or chicken a la Normande) is a hearty French casserole that is perfect for this autumnal weather. A rustic family-style meal that’s easy enough for midweek. Chicken thighs and legs slowly braised in apple cider and served with fried apple wedges are as scrumptious as it sounds.
French Chicken Casserole a la Normande

This chicken Normandy recipe (or chicken a la Normande) is a hearty French casserole that is perfect for this autumnal weather. A rustic family-style meal that’s easy enough for midweek. Chicken thighs and legs slowly braised in apple cider and served with fried apple wedges are as scrumptious as it sounds.
Prep Time
10 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time
1 hour 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
- salt
- 4 shallots diced or one medium onion
- 1 rib celery diced
- 4-5 thyme sprigs
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 125g/4 oz bacon lardons or 6 strips of bacon, chopped
- 2 tbsp brandy or whiskey
- 2 tbsp flour
- 85 ml/1/3 cup chicken stock
- 400ml/1 ½ cups hard dry apple cider such as Strongbow
- 2 apples peeled, cored and cut into wedges
- 125ml/1/2cup double cream/heavy cream