Description
Succulent chicken meets creamy goodness in this chicken delight casserole, a comforting midwestern classic. Hearty layers of tender chicken, rich sauce, and crispy topping promise a satisfying meal you’ll want to savor again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 kg (2.2 lbs) boneless chicken fillets, diced
- 750 ml (3.17 cups) chicken stock
- 1 cup cream
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 2 carrots, peeled and roughly chopped
- 2 celery sticks, roughly chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 4 cloves garlic, crushed
- 3 tbsps cornflour
- 2 tbsps flour
- 1 tbsp butter
- 2 tsps olive oil
- Italian parsley, chopped
- Mashed potato
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven: Preheat the oven to 180°C, creating an ideal cooking environment for the casserole.
- Sauté Aromatic Base: In a cast-iron casserole dish, heat olive oil and combine onions, carrots, and celery. Sauté over medium heat until vegetables soften and release their fragrant essence, approximately five minutes.
- Build Flavor Foundation: Introduce crushed garlic to the vegetable mixture. Create a well in the center and melt butter until golden and bubbling. Sprinkle flour over the butter, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, lump-free roux. Toast the mixture briefly to develop rich, nutty undertones.
- Develop Liquid Base: Deglaze the dish with chicken stock, using a wooden spoon to release caramelized bits. Add chicken fillets, ensuring they are fully immersed in the liquid.
- Initial Baking Phase: Cover the casserole and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and intensify.
- Final Touches: Remove the casserole and fold in green peas and cream. Create a cornflour slurry by mixing cornflour with cold water, then gently incorporate it to thicken the sauce.
- Finishing Bake: Return the uncovered dish to the oven for a final 15 minutes, allowing the sauce to achieve a velvety, luxurious consistency that promises a delectable dining experience.
Notes
- Prep Like a Pro: Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and balanced flavor distribution in every bite.
- Roux Mastery: Whisk flour and butter continuously to prevent lumps and develop a rich, nutty base for the sauce.
- Temperature Control: Keep oven heat consistent at 180°C to guarantee perfect chicken tenderness and sauce development.
- Slurry Secrets: Mix cornflour with cold water separately before adding to prevent clumping and ensure smooth sauce thickening.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg