Description
This French Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich sauce made with heavy cream, chicken broth, Parmesan cheese, and aromatic herbs. Sautéed vegetables add depth and texture, while a final bake in the oven brings all the flavors together for a deliciously satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Vegetables
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup carrots, sliced
- 1 cup mushrooms, sliced
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
- Cook Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then cook them for 6-7 minutes on each side until they turn golden brown and are cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: Using the same skillet, add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
- Add Vegetables: Add sliced carrots and mushrooms to the skillet with the aromatics. Cook together for 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and release their flavors.
- Prepare Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in dried thyme, dried rosemary, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Let the sauce simmer for 3-4 minutes until it thickens slightly.
- Combine and Bake: Return the cooked chicken breasts to the skillet, spooning the creamy sauce over the top of the chicken. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the casserole. Serve warm and enjoy your flavorful French Chicken Casserole.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter version, though the sauce will be less rich.
- Make sure the chicken breasts are cooked through by checking internal temperature (should reach 165°F/74°C).
- Use a skillet that is oven-safe to seamlessly transfer from stovetop to oven.
- Fresh herbs can be used instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor if available.
- To make the dish gluten-free, ensure the chicken broth used is labeled gluten-free.
