Creamy Dijon chicken and bacon casserole recipe

A delicious casserole which is good for a family meal or special occasion at any time of the year. The Dijon mustard adds a depth of flavour to the sauce which goes very well with the chicken. Serve this lovely dish with tagliatelle or new potatoes and green beans or broccoli. Cook for approximately 1 hr until the chicken is tender and succulent, packed full of flavour. You add a variety of veggies to this dish including cabbage and leeks too.

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 6 rashers unsmoked bacon, chopped roughly
• 4 skinless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp fresh tarragon leaves, chopped
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 600ml hot chicken stock
• 150ml double cream
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 300g frozen peas

Method

1. Preheat oven to 180⁰C/350⁰F/160⁰C Fan/Gas Mark 4.
2. Pour the oil into a large ovenproof casserole dish or deep sauté pan and heat on a medium setting.
3. Add the onions, garlic and bacon and fry until lightly coloured. Lift out and drain.
4. Add the chicken breasts and fry on both sides for a minute or two to brown lightly. Lift out and drain.
5. Put the mustard, tarragon and lemon zest into the pan, add the stock and whisk k together until well blended. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat to simmer.
6. Return the onion, garlic, bacon and chicken breasts to the pan, cover with the lid and then transfer to the hot oven.
7. Cook for about 45 minutes then remove from the oven, add the peas and stir in the cream.
8. Cook for a further 15 minutes. Check that the chicken is fully cooked, giving a little longer cooking time if necessary.
9. Remove the chicken from the sauce, season the sauce with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve the chicken with the sauce poured over.

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