French Chicken Casserole with Sausage and Apples

French Chicken Casserole with Sausage & Apples brings warm, country-style flavors to a simple weeknight meal. It combines tender chicken, savory sausage, and tart apples in a creamy sauce that makes a cozy one-dish dinner. If you like dishes with a rustic French feel, this recipe pairs well with a side like creamy chicken with mushrooms and rice for a fuller table.

Comfort and charm in every spoonful

This casserole feels like a dinner you’ve always known. It’s perfect for cooler evenings and family nights. The mix of fruit and savory notes gives it seasonal appeal. The method keeps steps straightforward. You can make it for company or for easy leftovers.

What makes this casserole so delightful

Cozy Flavor with Everyday Ingredients

The flavors come from familiar pantry items: onions, fresh herbs, mustard, broth, and cream. Apples bring brightness. Chicken and mild sausage add meaty depth without fuss. You won’t need specialty items to get big flavor.

Quick to Make, Easy to Love

Prep is mostly chopping and searing. The oven finishes the dish while you relax. It cooks in roughly an hour from start to finish. For a similar, creamy comfort meal, try this creamy chicken with mushrooms and rice another night.

Ingredients and smart swaps

Here’s what you’ll need and why each part matters. The ingredients build layers of texture: seared chicken for richness, sausage for savory notes, and apples for a bright contrast.

What You’ll Need for This Recipe

• 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (or 1.5–2 lbs boneless thighs)
• 12 oz chicken or turkey sausage, sliced (choose non-pork sausage)
• 2 medium tart apples (Granny Smith or Braeburn), cored and sliced
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsp olive oil or butter
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves (or 1/2 tsp dried)
• 1 sprig rosemary, chopped (optional)
• 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 cup heavy cream or crème fraîche (for dairy-free, see swaps)
• 1 tbsp flour (or cornstarch for gluten-free)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Smart Swaps for Dietary Needs

• For pork-free cooks: use chicken, turkey, or plant-based sausage.
• Dairy-free: swap heavy cream for full-fat coconut milk or a cashew cream. The flavor will shift slightly but stay rich.
• Gluten-free: use cornstarch instead of flour.
• Lower fat: use boneless, skinless thighs and reduce cream to 1/2 cup, adding an extra 1/2 cup broth.

Smart Variation (Optional)

Add sliced mushrooms or leeks in with the onions for extra earthiness. For a one-pan meal, tuck in small potato chunks before baking.

How to make the casserole

Below are clear steps to get this casserole from prep to table.

Step-by-step cooking instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
2. Heat 1 tbsp oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken skin-side down until golden, 4–6 minutes. Turn and brown the other side for 2 minutes. Remove chicken to a plate.
3. Add remaining oil to the skillet. Sear sausage slices until browned, about 3 minutes. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pan, add onions and cook until soft, 5–7 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; cook 1 minute.
5. Stir in apples and cook 2–3 minutes until they start to soften. Mix in mustard.
6. Sprinkle flour over the vegetables and stir to coat. Slowly pour in chicken broth while scraping browned bits from the pan. Simmer 2 minutes.
7. Stir in cream. Return sausage and chicken to the skillet, skin-side up. Spoon sauce over chicken.
8. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake until chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) and sauce bubbles, about 25–30 minutes. If using boneless thighs, check at 20 minutes.
9. Let rest 5–10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra thyme.

Step	Details
1	Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Pat and season chicken.
2	Sear chicken, then brown sausage; set aside.
3	Cook onions, apples, add broth and cream, return meats, then bake 25–30 minutes.

Tips for texture, timing & tools

• Use an ovenproof skillet to avoid transferring to a baking dish.
• Sear chicken well for crisp skin.
• If sauce seems thin after baking, simmer on the stove for 2–3 minutes to reduce.
• A meat thermometer helps hit perfect doneness.
• For a brighter finish, add a squeeze of lemon or a splash of apple juice just before serving.

For another lemon-and-chicken style meal, you might enjoy this Greek lemon chicken with potatoes to vary your weekly rotation.

Keeping and warming leftovers

This casserole stores nicely and makes for fast lunches.

How to store it right

Cool to room temperature. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. For longer storage, freeze portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.

Reheating without losing flavor

Reheat gently in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 15–20 minutes, covered, until warmed through. For quick meals, microwave single portions in short bursts and stir to heat evenly. Add a splash of broth if the sauce thickened too much.

A dish worth making again and again

The mix of apple and sausage keeps the dish interesting as leftovers. For a lighter reheat, serve over a bed of fresh greens. If you want soup-style comfort, see this take on a creamy chicken soup: anti-inflammatory creamy chicken soup.

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Common questions

Can I use chicken breasts instead of thighs?

Yes. Breasts cook faster and can dry out more easily. Reduce oven time and check temperature often. Consider cooking them covered for a moister result.

Can I make this ahead of time?

You can assemble the casserole and refrigerate it for a few hours before baking. If fully cooked, gently reheat in the oven until warm.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Make it gluten-free by swapping flour for cornstarch and confirming your sausage is labeled gluten-free.

What apples work best in the dish?

Tart, firm apples like Granny Smith or Braeburn hold up well and balance the richness.

Final Thoughts

Warm, simple meals like this casserole bring comfort without long prep. The recipe welcomes changes: swap sausages, add vegetables, or make it dairy-free to match your household. Give it a try on a relaxed evening, and you’ll likely find it becomes a favorite for family dinners.

If you enjoy French-style chicken with apples and cream, you may like the classic take in this Gluten Free Caramel Apples for more inspiration.