Rustic Normandy Chicken with Apples & Creamy Cider Sauce
A French-inspired chicken dish simmered in apple cider with garlic, herbs, and tender apples — finished with a touch of cream for an elegant, cozy meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 shallots, thinly sliced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 firm apples, sliced
- 1 cup apple cider (non-alcoholic or hard)
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp fresh thyme (or ½ tsp dried)
- ¼ cup chicken broth (optional)
- ¼–½ cup heavy cream
- Optional: extra thyme and parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Season and sear chicken in oil and butter until golden. Remove.
- Sauté shallots, garlic, and thyme in the same pan.
- Add sliced apples and cook until lightly golden.
- Deglaze with cider and stir in Dijon mustard.
- Return chicken, cover, and simmer 20–25 minutes.
- Stir in cream and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.
- Garnish and serve warm.
Notes
Pairs well with mashed potatoes, rice, or crusty bread. Can be made with hard cider for a more traditional twist.