Description
Rich French cassoulet brings hearty comfort straight from traditional countryside kitchens, packed with tender meat and creamy white beans that make dinner feel like a warm embrace from Southern France.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein Ingredients:
- 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 6 ounces smoked sausage
Supporting Vegetable and Flavor Ingredients:
- 1 yellow onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon sweet paprika
- ¼ cup dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
Liquid and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 ½ cups low sodium chicken broth
- 2 cans (15 ounces each) Great Northern Beans
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Warm 2 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until it shimmers and easily coats the bottom of your pan.
- Sprinkle 2 pounds of chicken cubes with ½ teaspoon paprika, plus a generous pinch of salt and pepper. Carefully place chicken pieces into hot oil, creating a single layer that allows each cube to brown beautifully.
- Sear chicken for 4-5 minutes, turning pieces to achieve golden edges on multiple sides. Transfer browned chicken to a clean plate, keeping those delicious juices intact.
- Drop another tablespoon olive oil into the same pot, then add chopped onion. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and slightly softened.
- Introduce 6 ounces sliced smoked sausage to the pot, letting each piece develop a rich caramel-brown color over 2-3 minutes of cooking.
- Stir in 4 minced garlic cloves and 1 teaspoon dried thyme, allowing their aromatic oils to release for 30-45 seconds.
- Deglaze the pot with ¼ cup white wine, scraping up any browned bits stuck to the bottom. Mix in 2 tablespoons tomato paste until thoroughly combined.
- Pour 2 cans of rinsed beans and 1½ cups chicken broth into the pot. Gently nestle the reserved chicken back into the liquid.
- Reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let the cassoulet simmer for 35-40 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with remaining ¾ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon pepper as needed.
- Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley over the top just before serving for a bright, fresh finish.
Notes
- Chicken pieces with some bone attached add richer flavor and moisture to this classic French dish.
- Choose dried cannellini or great northern beans for the most authentic texture and taste.
- Slow cooking allows the beans to absorb all the delicious liquid, creating a more complex and hearty meal.
- Smoked sausage brings deep, smoky undertones that elevate the entire cassoulet, so select a high-quality variety for best results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 to 6
- Calories: 370 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 580 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg