Easy French Apple Cider Chicken (Chicken Normandy)
Experience the cozy charm of the French countryside with this elegant Chicken Normandy. Succulent, golden-skinned bone-in chicken thighs are pan-seared and simmered in a velvety sauce of non-alcoholic dry apple cider, heavy cream, and fresh herbs. Featuring crisp sliced apples and a touch of Dijon mustard, this one-pan meal is the perfect balance of sweet and savory notes for a sophisticated weeknight dinner that feels like a special occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Total Time: 55 mins
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Quick Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: French
Ingredients
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 crisp apple, cored and thinly sliced
1 cup non-alcoholic dry apple cider
1 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
Season the chicken thighs generously with salt and pepper on both sides.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Place chicken skin-side down in the skillet and sear until the skin is golden brown and crispy, about 6-8 minutes.
Flip the chicken and cook for another 3 minutes, then remove from the pan and set aside.
In the same skillet, add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add the minced garlic, apple slices, thyme, and rosemary; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
Pour in the non-alcoholic apple cider and chicken broth, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze.
Return the chicken to the skillet, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir in the heavy cream and Dijon mustard, then simmer uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Notes
Ensure the apple cider is non-alcoholic to maintain the halal-friendly profile. For a thicker sauce, you can whisk in a teaspoon of cornstarch mixed with a tablespoon of water before adding the cream. Serve this dish alongside roasted potatoes, crusty bread, or steamed green beans to soak up the delicious cider glaze.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh with sauce
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 8g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 115mg