Chicken and Cider Stew with Apple and Potato Mash

Chicken Favourites, p. 53

1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) chicken thigh filets, trimmed and cut into 2 cm (3/4 inch) cubes

1 ½ tablespoons finely chopped thyme

1 tablespoon oil

90 g (3 ½ oz) butter

3 French shallots, thinly sliced

375 ml (1 ½ cups) apple cider

1 kg (2 lb 4 oz) potatoes, peeled and cubed

2 large green apples, peeled, cored, and sliced into eights

170 ml (2/3 cup) cream

Behold the summit of Mount Chicken!

My first time working with thyme. Not my first thyme working with homophones.

Season the chicken thighs with 2 teaspoons of the thyme and salt and black pepper. Heat the oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken in two batches for 2-3 minutes, or until evenly browned. 

You don't have to get it all the way cooked right now - it's gonna be stewing for a while after this.

Remove from the pan.

Add the French shallots and the remaining thyme to the pan and saute for 2 minutes. Pour in the cider, then bring to the boil, scraping off any sediment that has stuck to the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pan and cover. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 35 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has reduced (check occasionally to see if any water needs to be added).

Meanwhile, cook the potato and apple in a saucepan of boiling water for 15-20 minutes, or until tender. Drain and return to the pan over low heat for a minute to allow any water to evaporate. Remove from the heat, and mash with a potato masher. 

Your upper-arm workout for the day.

Stir in 2 tablespoons of cream and then remaining butter with a wooden spoon, then season well with salt and pepper.

Gently stir the remaining cream into the chicken stew and cook for a further 2-4 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened. 

I may have used a little more cream that the recipe strictly called for. I kind of adore cream.

Serve at once with the potato and apple mash and a crisp green salad. 

Get lots of that sauce when you spoon out the stew - it's absolutely wonderful.

My Rating: 5/5 "This is pretty close to divine. I can't actually put into words how good it is, except to say that the cream and the cider flavors complement the chicken perfectly. Also, mashing apples and potatoes together is the best idea in the history of ideas. I'm completely in love with this recipe!"