French Chicken in Apple Cider Sauce - Zest Plate

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 lbs chicken thighs and legs
• Salt, to taste
• 4 shallots, diced or 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 rib of celery, diced
• 4-5 thyme sprigs
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 125g bacon lardons or 6 strips of bacon, chopped
• 2 tbsp brandy or whiskey
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 85ml chicken stock
• 400ml hard dry apple cider
• 2 apples, peeled, cored, and cut into wedges
• 125ml double cream/heavy cream