Description
This French Chicken Casserole is a comforting and creamy dish featuring tender chicken breasts simmered in a savory sauce of heavy cream, herbs, and Parmesan cheese, with a medley of sautéed vegetables. Perfect for an easy yet elegant meal, it combines the richness of French-inspired flavors with straightforward cooking methods.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
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 the 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. Cook each breast for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic for 2-3 minutes until they become softened and fragrant.
- Cook Vegetables: Add the sliced carrots and mushrooms to the skillet and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to become tender.
- Make Sauce: Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth. Stir in the dried thyme, dried rosemary, and grated Parmesan cheese. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Allow the sauce to 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 each piece. Transfer the entire skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the chicken is fully cooked.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven and garnish the casserole with chopped fresh parsley. Serve hot and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter sauce, but it may be less rich.
- Ensure the chicken breasts are of even thickness for uniform cooking.
- If you don’t have a skillet safe for oven use, transfer everything to a baking dish before placing it in the oven.
- Fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary can be used instead of dried for a more vibrant flavor.
- Serve this casserole with crusty bread, mashed potatoes, or a green salad to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
