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This Chicken & Asparagus Gratin is a creamy, comforting, and nostalgic dish that’s perfect for an easy yet satisfying dinner. Made with tender poached chicken, a rich, flavourful sauce, and a golden, crispy topping, this dish is both simple to prepare and absolutely delicious. Whether you’re looking for a make-ahead meal or a cozy family dinner, this gratin is a must-try.

If you love delicious and creative chicken recipes, you might also enjoy my Chicken Strudel—a flaky, golden filo pastry filled with a savoury chicken mixture that’s just as easy and comforting!

Chicken & Asparagus Gratin – A Creamy & Comforting Dish

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 2

Servings: 6

This Chicken & Asparagus Gratin is a creamy, comforting, and nostalgic dish that’s perfect for a hearty meal. With tender poached chicken, a smooth, flavourful sauce, and a crispy golden topping, it’s easy to prepare and makes a fantastic make-ahead meal. Minimal prep and simple ingredients make this a go-to recipe!

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Ingredients

For the Chicken & Sauce:

1 whole chicken 1.2 – 1.5 kg
1 teaspoon salt for poaching the chicken
2 cups chicken stock reserved from poaching the chicken
1 cup milk
470 g canned asparagus cuts drained
60 g butter
1 teaspoon prepared mustard
1/3 cup plain flour
2-3 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped
½ cup mayonnaise
Salt & pepper to taste

For the Topping:

1 cup dry breadcrumbs
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
60 g melted butter

Instructions

Poaching the Chicken

Place the whole chicken in a pot and add enough cold water to come halfway up the sides. Add salt, bring to a boil, cover, and simmer gently for 70-90 minutes until tender.
Carefully remove the chicken and reserve 2 cups of stock from the pot.
Once cool, remove the chicken meat from the bones and shred or chop into bite-sized pieces.

Making the Sauce

In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in mustard and flour. Cook for 1-2 minutes, then gradually whisk in the stock and milk mixture until smooth.
Reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 minutes until thickened.

Assembling the Gratin

Remove the sauce from heat and stir in the chicken, asparagus, parsley, and mayonnaise.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Preparing the Topping

In a bowl, combine breadcrumbs, grated cheese, and melted butter.

Baking

Spoon the chicken mixture into a gratin dish or individual ramekins.
Sprinkle the breadcrumb topping evenly over the mixture.
Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for 30-40 minutes, or until bubbling and golden brown.

Video

Notes

Tinned asparagus gives this dish a nostalgic “old-fashioned” flavor, but fresh asparagus could be used.
Great for leftovers! This gratin tastes even better the next day—just reheat in the oven or microwave.
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble the dish up to a day in advance and bake when ready to serve.

Chicken & Asparagus Gratin – Easy, Creamy & Delicious!