Chicken Cassoulet – French Chicken & Bean Casserole

This is rustic French comfort at its finest—a gloriously golden, bubbling casserole of tender chicken and creamy beans that feels indulgent without demanding hours in the kitchen. Cassoulet is the kind of dish that transforms a weekend into something special, filling your kitchen with the most glorious aromas.

Ingredients:

• 1.5 kg chicken thighs, skin on
• 400g canned cannellini beans, drained
• 400g canned butter beans, drained
• 200g smoked bacon, chopped
• 2 onions, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 400ml chicken stock
• 400g tinned tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tsp thyme
• Salt and pepper
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 50g parmesan, grated

Method:

1. Brown the bacon in a large casserole dish, then set aside. Season chicken and brown skin-side down, then remove.
2. Sauté onions, carrots, and garlic until soft, about 5 minutes.
3. Return bacon and chicken to the dish. Add beans, stock, tomatoes, bay leaves, and thyme.
4. Cover and braise in a 180°C oven for 1.5 hours until chicken is tender.
5. Mix breadcrumbs with parmesan and scatter over the top. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes until golden.

Full recipe at RecipeTin Eats →

Chef's tip: Don't skip browning the chicken properly—those golden, caramelised bits are where the deepest flavour lives, transforming simple ingredients into something truly memorable.