Chicken Normandy is a tasty dish featuring tender chicken cooked in a rich apple cider sauce. It gets a lovely sweet touch from apples and is perfect for cozy dinners!
Whenever I make this dish, I feel like a chef in a fancy restaurant. And the best part? You can enjoy it with crusty bread to soak up all that yummy sauce! 🍏🍗
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Chicken Thighs: Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs are my favorite for this dish since they stay juicy and flavorful. If you prefer, you can use boneless thighs or chicken breasts, but adjust cooking time as they may cook faster.
Apples: Tart apples like Granny Smith add a wonderful flavor contrast. If those aren’t available, you can use Honeycrisp or Fuji apples, but they will be sweeter. Just adjust for sweetness by adding a little more cider vinegar if desired.
Apple Cider: Use a dry apple cider for a balanced taste, but if you can’t find it, apple juice can work—just be ready to cut back on any added sugar in the recipe. I like to add a splash of vinegar for brightness if using juice.
Onions: Yellow onions are a great choice for their sweetness when cooked. Red onions can also be used for a slightly different flavor and color. They can add a lovely touch to the overall dish.
How Do You Get Perfectly Crispy Skin on Chicken?
Searing chicken thighs properly is vital for achieving that crispy skin. Follow these steps:
- Make sure your chicken is dry before seasoning. Pat it with paper towels to remove any moisture.
- Heat your oil until it’s shimmering but not smoking. This means the pan is hot enough to start the searing process.
- Place the chicken in the pan skin-side down without overcrowding it. This allows the skin to crisp up nicely. Avoid moving it around!
- Sear for about 5-7 minutes until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 3-4 minutes before removing it.
These simple steps will set you up for success and ensure that your skin is deliciously crispy in the finished dish!
How to Make Chicken Normandy (French Apple Cider Chicken)
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil or vegetable oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2-3 medium apples, peeled, cored, and sliced (preferably a tart variety like Granny Smith)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup French-style apple cider (preferably dry or semi-dry)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or ½ teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon butter (optional, for finishing)
- Fresh thyme sprigs for garnish
- Optional: small whole baby potatoes or peeled and halved, about 8-10
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful dish requires about 15 minutes of preparation and approximately 30-40 minutes of cooking time. So, expect a total of around 1 hour to have your Chicken Normandy on the table and ready to enjoy!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken:
Start by patting the chicken thighs dry with paper towels. This helps them get crispy later on! Then, season them generously with salt and pepper on both sides. It’s important to season well for great flavor.
2. Sear the Chicken:
In a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, place the chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Sear them until the skin is golden brown and crispy—this should take around 5-7 minutes. Flip the chicken over and sear the other side for another 3-4 minutes. Once done, remove the chicken and set it aside.
3. Cook the Aromatics and Apples:
Next, reduce the heat to medium and in the same skillet, add the sliced onions. Cook them while stirring occasionally until they’re soft and translucent, which takes about 5 minutes. Then, add the minced garlic and sauté it for about 30 seconds. After that, toss in the sliced apples (and baby potatoes if you’re using them) and sauté everything for another 2-3 minutes.
4. Deglaze and Build Sauce:
Now, pour in the apple cider and chicken broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan as you do this. They add extra flavor to your sauce! Stir in the Dijon mustard, thyme leaves, and add the bay leaf. Bring everything to a simmer.
5. Combine and Cook:
Put the chicken thighs back into the pan, skin-side up, and nestle them into the apple and onion mixture. Cover the pan with a lid or some foil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and let it simmer gently for about 25-30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened slightly. If you added baby potatoes, they should be tender by now as well!
6. Finish the Dish:
Remove the lid, increase the heat to medium, and cook uncovered for an additional 5-7 minutes to reduce the sauce further. As it cooks, spoon the sauce over the chicken to get all those delicious flavors soaked in! Once done, remove it from heat and if you’d like, stir in a tablespoon of butter for an extra silky finish.
7. Serve:
Now it’s time to eat! Discard the bay leaf, and garnish your beautiful Chicken Normandy with fresh thyme sprigs. Serve the chicken along with the apples, onions, and that rich, tasty sauce spooned over the top. This dish goes perfectly with crusty bread or creamy mashed potatoes, so don’t forget to soak up all the goodness!
Enjoy your warm, cozy Chicken Normandy with the tangy sweetness of apple cider and tender, juicy chicken! It’s truly a comforting meal that you’ll be happy to share with family and friends. 😊
Can I Use Different Cuts of Chicken?
Absolutely! While bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs give great flavor and moisture, you can also use chicken breasts or drumsticks. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly; chicken breasts will cook faster, so check for doneness around 20-25 minutes.
What If I Don’t Have Apple Cider?
No problem! If you can’t find apple cider, you can substitute it with apple juice, but consider cutting back on added sugars elsewhere in the recipe. Adding a splash of vinegar (like apple cider or white vinegar) can help mimic the acidity of cider.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the dish up to the point of cooking and then refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When ready to cook, just heat it on the stove until warmed through and then follow the same cooking instructions.
How Do I Store Leftovers?
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply warm it on the stovetop or in the microwave, stirring occasionally to evenly heat it. You might need to add a splash of broth or water to loosen the sauce.
