Chicken-Sausage Cassoulet
A hearty and flavorful chicken and sausage cassoulet with tender beans and aromatic seasonings, perfect for comforting family dinners or weekend gatherings.
Ingredients
- 3 carrots (1/2-inch pieces)
- 1 medium onion ⓘ
- 1/3 cup water ⓘ
- 6 oz. tomato paste ⓘ
- 1/2 cup dry red wine ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder ⓘ
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves ⓘ
- 2 bay leaves ⓘ
- 2 (15 oz.) cans navy beans, drained ⓘ
- 4 boneless chicken breasts, frozen ⓘ
- 1/2 pound fully cooked Polish sausage, sliced 1/4 inch thick ⓘ
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine carrots, onion, and water.
- Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes.
- Transfer the mixture to a crock-pot.
- Stir in tomato paste, red wine, garlic powder, ground cloves, and bay leaves.
- Add drained navy beans.
- Place frozen chicken breasts and sliced Polish sausage atop the beans.
- Cover and cook on low for 9 to 10 hours or on high for 5 1/2 to 6 hours.
Tips & Substitutions
For added depth of flavor, consider using fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary. If you don't have navy beans, great northern or cannellini beans can be used as substitutes. To save time, you could use pre-chopped vegetables. If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some crushed red pepper flakes.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the cassoulet hot, garnished with fresh parsley for a pop of color. It pairs beautifully with a crusty baguette or a simple green salad dressed with vinaigrette. For a heartier meal, consider serving it alongside Orange Rice With Tenderloins or a side of roasted vegetables.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over medium heat, adding a splash of water or broth if needed to loosen it up. You can also microwave in a covered dish, stirring occasionally until heated through.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Chicken-Sausage Cassoulet contains roughly 1480 calories, with 43g protein, 319g carbohydrates, and 32g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (357% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 614mg per serving (27% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh chicken instead of frozen?
Yes, you can use fresh chicken breasts. Just adjust the cooking time accordingly, reducing it to about 6-7 hours on low or 3-4 hours on high until the chicken is fully cooked.
What can I use instead of Polish sausage?
If you can't find Polish sausage, kielbasa or any fully cooked sausage will work well. You can also use chicken sausage for a lighter version, which will still add great flavor to the dish.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
To make a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and sausage, and replace them with additional beans or lentils. You can also add some hearty vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for more texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).