Best 7 Elegant Chicken Cassoulet Recipes

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Indulge in the Exquisite Flavors of Chicken Cassoulet: A Culinary Journey of French Tradition

Embark on a culinary adventure with chicken cassoulet, a delectable French casserole that captures the essence of rustic elegance. This hearty dish, originating from the southwestern region of France, is a symphony of flavors and textures that promises a satisfying and memorable dining experience. Our comprehensive guide presents a collection of carefully curated chicken cassoulet recipes, each offering unique variations on this classic dish. From the traditional slow-cooked cassoulet to modern interpretations with a twist, these recipes cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Get ready to tantalize your palate with the rich, savory, and aromatic flavors of chicken cassoulet, a dish that embodies the culinary heritage of France. Explore the diverse range of recipes within this article, each promising a culinary masterpiece that will leave you craving for more.

Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!

TRADITIONAL FRENCH CASSOULET RECIPE



Traditional French Cassoulet Recipe image

To make traditional French cassoulet at home, substitute fresh chicken for duck confit, build flavor in the beans, and add gelatin to form a crisp crust.

Provided by J. Kenji López-Alt

Categories     Mains     Sausage     Soups and Stews

Time 16h25m

Yield 8

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 pound dried cannellini beans
3 tablespoons kosher salt; for table salt, use half as much by volume
1 quart homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
3 packets (3/4 ounce) unflavored gelatin, such as Knox (see note)
2 tablespoons duck fat (optional)
8 ounces salt pork, cut into 3/4-inch cubes
6 to 8 pieces of chicken thighs and drumsticks, or 4 whole chicken leg quarters
Freshly ground black pepper
1 pound garlic sausage (2 to 4 links, depending on size)
1 large onion, finely diced (about 1 cup)
1 carrot, unpeeled, cut into 3-inch sections
2 stalks celery, cut into 3-inch sections
1 whole head garlic
4 sprigs parsley
2 bay leaves
6 cloves

Steps:

  • In a large bowl, cover beans with 3 quarts water and add salt. Stir to combine and let sit at room temperature overnight. Drain and rinse beans and set aside.
  • Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and preheat oven to 300°F (150°C). Place stock in a large liquid measuring cup and sprinkle gelatin over the top. Set aside. Heat duck fat (if using) in a large Dutch oven over high heat until shimmering. Add salt pork and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned all over, about 8 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a large bowl, leaving rendered fat in Dutch oven, and set aside. (If not using duck fat, cook pork with no additional fat.)
  • Season chicken pieces with pepper (do not add salt) and place skin side down in now-empty pan. Cook without moving until well-browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip chicken pieces and continue cooking until lightly browned on second side, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to bowl with salt pork.
  • Add sausages and cook, turning occasionally, until well-browned on both sides. Transfer to bowl with salt pork and chicken. Drain all but 2 tablespoons fat from pot.
  • Add onions to pot and cook, stirring and scraping up browned bits from the bottom of the pot. Cook until onions are translucent but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add drained beans, carrot, celery, garlic, parsley, bay leaves, cloves, and stock/gelatin mixture. Bring to a simmer over high heat. Reduce to low, cover Dutch oven, and cook until beans are almost tender but retain a slight bite, about 45 minutes.
  • Using tongs, remove carrots, celery, parsley, bay leaves, and cloves and discard. Add meats to pot and stir to incorporate, making sure that the chicken pieces end up on top of the beans with the skin facing upwards. Beans should be almost completely submerged. Transfer to oven and cook, uncovered, until a thin crust forms on top, about 2 hours, adding more water by pouring it carefully down the side of the pot, as necessary, to keep beans mostly covered.
  • Break crust with a spoon and shake pot gently to redistribute. Return to oven and continue cooking, stopping to break and shake the crust every 30 minutes until you reach the 4 1/2 hour mark. Return to oven and continue cooking undisturbed until the crust is deep brown and thick, about 5 to 6 hours total. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 612 kcal, Carbohydrate 39 g, Cholesterol 110 mg, Fiber 9 g, Protein 36 g, SaturatedFat 12 g, Sodium 2651 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 35 g, ServingSize Serves 6 to 8, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

CLASSIC FRENCH CHICKEN AND SAUSAGE CASSOULET RECIPE



Classic French Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet Recipe image

Cassoulet is a classic of French country cooking with this chicken and sausage version lighter than the original but just as delicious.

Provided by Rebecca Franklin

Categories     Entree     Dinner

Time 4h25m

Yield 12

Number Of Ingredients 21

1 pound dried white beans (soaked and rinsed)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 pound lardons ( bacon strips )
2 large white onions (diced)
1 pound bulk pork sausage
1 1/2 pounds boneless chicken breast (cut into 1-inch pieces)
1 pound chicken legs
2 pounds tomatoes (seeded and chopped)
1 cup dry white wine
1 quart chicken stock
1 bouquet garni
3 cloves garlic (chopped)
1 tablespoon tomato paste
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
2 carrots (peeled and cut crosswise into 1/4-inch slices)
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon fresh parsley (finely chopped)
1/2 teaspoon fresh thyme (finely chopped)
4 teaspoons butter (melted)

Steps:

  • Gather the ingredients.
  • Place the beans in a large saucepan and cover them with cold water. Bring the beans to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Cover and cook them until they begin to turn tender, about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
  • Add 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper to the beans and cook until the liquid has absorbed, about 25 additional minutes.
  • Remove the beans from the heat, drain and discard any other liquid, and set the beans aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the lardons for 5 minutes, until they turn brown. Transfer them to a plate.
  • Add the onions to the pan and sauté them for 10 minutes, until they turn light golden brown. Transfer them to the plate with the lardons.
  • Brown the sausage and transfer it to a bowl. Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Drain all but 4 tablespoons of the fat from the skillet. Add the chicken breast pieces to the fat and brown them over medium-high heat. Transfer the chicken to the bowl with the sausage.
  • Brown the chicken legs in the skillet. Then transfer them to the bowl.
  • Combine the lardons, onions, sausage, chicken pieces and legs, tomatoes, wine, chicken stock, bouquet garni, garlic, tomato paste, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper in a large casserole dish.
  • Cover with a lid or foil and bake the casserole for 25 minutes.
  • Add the carrots to the pan, cover, and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
  • Add the reserved white beans to the hot casserole and gently stir the mixture.
  • In a small bowl, toss the breadcrumbs, parsley, and thyme with the melted butter. Sprinkle the seasoned breadcrumbs over the casserole.
  • Bake it, uncovered, for 1 hour.
  • Discard the bouquet garni and serve the cassoulet hot.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 620 kcal, Carbohydrate 24 g, Cholesterol 172 mg, Fiber 4 g, Protein 54 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Sodium 1372 mg, Sugar 6 g, Fat 32 g, ServingSize Makes 12 portions, UnsaturatedFat 0 g

EASY AND DELICIOUS SLOW COOKER CASSOULET



Easy and Delicious Slow Cooker Cassoulet image

I am married to a chef, but I can't cook. So I make a lot of food in my slow cooker when it's my night to cook. We love France and French cooking, and this recipe is a wonderfully simple, elegant cassoulet that even I can make and he loves. Wonderful for cold nights and dinner parties. Double the recipe for leftovers - it melds overnight very well.

Provided by smart cookie

Categories     World Cuisine Recipes     European     French

Time 4h45m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 tablespoon olive oil
6 slices turkey bacon
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, chopped
¼ pound fully-cooked smoked sausage, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
2 bay leaves
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
¼ cup tomato paste
3 (15 ounce) cans great Northern beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
3 tablespoons minced fresh parsley

Steps:

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook bacon until crisp and brown, turning often, about 10 minutes. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels; crumble when cool. Set bacon aside.
  • Cook and stir onion in the same skillet until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in chicken, sausage, garlic, thyme, bay leaves, and black pepper; cook until chicken pieces are browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Stir in tomato paste.
  • Transfer chicken mixture to a slow cooker and stir in crumbled turkey bacon, great Northern beans, and diced tomatoes. Cover the cooker, set on Low, and cook until cassoulet is thickened and the chicken is very tender, 4 to 5 hours. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 521.9 calories, Carbohydrate 52.9 g, Cholesterol 68.4 mg, Fat 18.9 g, Fiber 12.1 g, Protein 35.5 g, SaturatedFat 5.4 g, Sodium 641.2 mg, Sugar 4.7 g

ELEGANT CHICKEN CASSOULET



Elegant chicken cassoulet image

This is a great company dish....easy and delicious.SOurce unknown

Provided by Lynnda Cloutier

Categories     Chicken

Number Of Ingredients 13

three slices bacon, cooked and crumbled, drippings reserved
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
one can sliced mushrooms, 4 ounces, drained
one can cream of celery soup, 11 ounces
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
3 to 4 cup sliced cooked chicken
biscuits
paprika
fresh thyme for garnish

Steps:

  • 1. preheat oven to 350°. Lightly grease a 12 x 8" baking dish. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, sauté onion, celery and mushrooms in reserved bacon drippings until tender. In a large bowl, mix soup, sour cream, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add chicken, bacon, and sautéed vegetables to bowl. Mix well. Pour into prepared baking dish. Bake for 25 minutes.
  • 2. Remove casserole from oven. Arrange biscuits over casserole. Sprinkle tops of biscuits lightly with paprika. Return to oven and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer. Garnish with fresh thyme if desired.

VALERIE'S COMFY CASSOULET



Valerie's Comfy Cassoulet image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     main-dish

Time 4h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

1 pound dried Great Northern beans
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
12 ounces slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch lardons
1 pound Bratwurst sausage or fresh Polish sausage (4 to 5 links)
1 1/2 pounds bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
1 pound chicken drumsticks
1 cup finely chopped yellow onions
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1/2 cup finely chopped fennel, fronds reserved for garnish
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic
2 tablespoons tomato paste
One 14-ounce can diced tomatoes in tomato juice
1 1/2 cups unsalted chicken stock
2 tablespoons roughly chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh rosemary
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 cups fresh breadcrumbs
Kosher salt
1 lemon, zested
1 tablespoon roughly chopped fresh parsley

Steps:

  • For the cassoulet: Combine the dried beans, 1 tablespoon salt and 8 cups hot water in a medium saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil and cook for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and cover with a lid. Let sit for 1 hour, until the beans are "al dente" (softened but still with some bite). Drain the beans and rinse under cold water.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • In a large Dutch oven over medium-low heat, add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the bacon lardons. Slowly render the fat out of the bacon and cook until crispy, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. Drain the bacon on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
  • Increase the heat to medium and add the sausages to the rendered bacon fat. Brown on both sides, 4 to 5 minutes per side. Drain on the baking sheet.
  • Season the chicken thighs and drumsticks generously on both sides with salt and pepper. In two batches, add the chicken to the Dutch oven and cook until deep golden brown, about 5 minutes per side. Drain on the baking sheet.
  • Stir the onions, carrots, fennel and celery into the rendered fat; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until softened, 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste; cook for another 2 minutes, until evenly combined with the vegetables and just beginning to toast. Add the diced tomatoes, chicken stock, white beans, parsley, rosemary and thyme. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat to a simmer.
  • Cut the sausages on the bias into thin rounds and add them to the pot along with the bacon, stirring to combine. Transfer the cassoulet to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with the chicken thighs and drumsticks; drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over the chicken.
  • Place the baking dish on a baking sheet and transfer to the oven. Bake until the top of the cassoulet turns a rich, deep brown color, the liquid has reduced and the beans have risen to the surface, about 1 hour 30 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let rest for 10 minutes.
  • For the breadcrumb topping: Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add the breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Toast the breadcrumbs until golden brown, stirring often, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon zest and parsley.
  • To serve: Garnish the cassoulet with the breadcrumb topping and some fennel fronds. Serve immediately!

ELEGANT CHICKEN



Elegant Chicken image

This is so easy! I use it when I'm having people over for dinner because it can easily be doubled to feed a large gathering or dinner party. Once you put it in the oven, you can forget about it for 2 hours and move on to something else. It's always a huge hit with our guests! Serve over rice and enjoy!

Provided by Kathy H.

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes

Time 2h10m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 (2 ounce) package chipped beef
6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1 pound sliced bacon
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 (16 ounce) container sour cream
½ teaspoon paprika

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C).
  • Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with slices of chipped beef. Wrap bacon slices around chicken breasts, and place on top of chipped beef. In a medium bowl, mix together condensed soup and sour cream. Pour sour cream mixture over chicken breasts, and sprinkle with paprika.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 2 hours.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 698.2 calories, Carbohydrate 7.5 g, Cholesterol 161.5 mg, Fat 54.6 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 42.5 g, SaturatedFat 22.4 g, Sodium 1368 mg, Sugar 1.2 g

CHICKEN CASSOULET



Chicken Cassoulet image

This is a southwest France classic. It's a rich, hearty stew. Traditional cassoulets can take days to make. Here, Sara Moulton created an easier version for the regular home cook.

Provided by LifeIsGood

Categories     Chicken Thigh & Leg

Time 1h5m

Yield 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 13

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
8 bone-in chicken thighs (2 to 2 1/2 lbs)
kosher salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 medium onion
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary leaf (or 1/2 t dried)
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leave (or 1/2 t dried)
4 garlic cloves
2 (15 1/2 ounce) cans white beans
1/2 lb kielbasa (or bratwurst)
1/2 cup dry red wine
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Heat 1 T olive oil in a large skillet with an ovenproof handle, over high heat until hot. Reduce the heat to med-high. Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste and add it to the skillet, skin side down; cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned. Turn the chicken and cook the other side for 3 to 4 minutes or until browned.
  • Meanwhile, finely chop the onion (about 1 C). Finely chop the rosemary (about 1 1/2 t) and the thyme (about 1 1/2 t). Combine the rosemary and thyme in a bowl. Press the garlic (about 1 T plus 1 t) into the bowl. Rinse and drain the beans then mash 1 C of the beans into a separate small bowl with a fork.Set the rest of the whole beans aside. Cut the kielbasa in half lengthwise and then crosswise into 1/2 inch thick pieces.
  • Remove the chicken to a plate and drain off all but 1 T of the fat from the skillet. Reduce heat to med-low and add the onions and cook for 5 minutes or until it has softened. Add the herb and garlic mixture and cook for 2 minutes. Add the red wine and simmer over low heat until it has reduced by half.
  • Return the chicken to the skillet along with any juices that have accumulated on the plate. Add the kielbasa, chicken stock, both the mashed beans and the whole beans and the mustard. Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes, or until the chicken has just cooked through. While the chicken is cooking, preheat the broiler.
  • Toss the bread crumbs with the remaining 1 T olive oil. Remove the lid from the skillet and season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle the bread crumbs evenly over the top. Put the skillet under the broiler, about 4 inches from the heat source, and broil for 45 to 60 seconds, or until the crumbs are golden. When you serve the cassoulet, sprinkle the toasted bread crumbs over each serving.

Tips:

  • Use high-quality ingredients, especially the chicken and the sausage. This will make a big difference in the final flavor of the dish.
  • Brown the chicken and sausage before adding them to the slow cooker. This will help to develop their flavor and prevent them from becoming dry.
  • Use a variety of beans in your cassoulet. This will add different textures and flavors to the dish.
  • Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. Cassoulet is a very forgiving dish, so you can adjust the flavors to your own liking.
  • Serve cassoulet with a crusty piece of bread or a side of rice.

Conclusion:

Cassoulet is a hearty and delicious stew that is perfect for a cold winter day. It is also a very versatile dish, so you can easily adjust it to your own liking. With a little planning, you can have a delicious cassoulet on the table in no time. So next time you're looking for a comforting and satisfying meal, give cassoulet a try.

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