CHICKEN CASSEROLR RECIPES

Heat oil in a large, flameproof casserole. Season chicken pieces and brown all over for 10min. Remove and set aside. Drain fat from the pan - there should be around 75ml (3fl oz). Pour just 1tbsp oil back in to the pan and discard the rest. Preheat oven to 200ºC (180ºC fan oven) mark 6.

Add the onion, garlic, celery, carrots, leeks and potatoes to the pan, and cook, stirring, for 5-10min. Stir in the flour, cook for 2min, then pour in the stock. Season well, then return the browned chicken to the pan. Add the rosemary, squeeze over the juice from the lemon half and pop the squeezed lemon half into the pan. Cover and bring the casserole to the boil. 

Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/Gas 3.

Place the bacon in a large non-stick ovenproof frying pan or flameproof casserole and fry over a medium heat for a few minutes to render out the fat. Add the onions and continue to fry until the bacon is brown at the edges. Transfer the bacon and onions to a plate using a slotted spoon and set aside.

Lightly season the chicken. Place the oil in the unwashed dish, add the chicken and brown over a high heat, turning once. Transfer to the plate with the bacon and onions.

Scatter the flour into the dish (adding a little more oil, if needed) and stir to combine. Gradually incorporate the hot stock, whisking, and allow to thicken. Pour in the wine and return the bacon, onions and chicken to the pan. Stir well, add the thyme sprigs, sage sprigs and bay leaves. The sauce will be quite thick at this stage. Bring to the boil, season well with salt and black pepper and cover. Transfer to the oven for 30 minutes.

Remove the dish from the oven and add the mushrooms and crème fraîche. Stir well and return to the oven for a further 15–20 minutes, until the chicken is tender.

Meanwhile, heat the butter in a small pan over a medium heat. Add the whole sage leaves and fry until crisp.

Remove the bay leaves, thyme and sage sprigs from the casserole and discard (some leaves will have fallen off to flavour the casserole). Stir in the parsley and serve with the crisp sage leaves on top.

Mary’s Tips:

Can be made up to a day ahead. Add the crème fraîche and mushrooms when reheating.

Freezes well.