How to Make Chef John's Quick Cassoulet - A Step-by-Step Guide

Cassoulet is a traditional French dish that originated in the region of Languedoc. It is a hearty and comforting casserole-like dish that is packed with beans, meat, and sausage, slow-cooked until the flavors meld together into a delicious and satisfying meal. While traditional cassoulet can take hours to prepare, Chef John has developed a quick and easy recipe that captures the essence of this classic dish in a fraction of the time.

This quick cassoulet recipe is perfect for those ni...

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Ingredients

  • 4 ounces bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces
  • 8 ounces smoked sausage, sliced
  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
  • 1 onion, diced
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 cups chicken broth, plus more if needed
  • 2 (15 ounce) cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh rosemary
  • 1 ½ teaspoons minced fresh thyme
  • cayenne pepper to taste
  • ¼ cup melted butter
  • 1 cup bread crumbs
  • ½ cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Information

  • Prep Time: 20 mins
  • Cook Time: 45 mins
  • Additional Time: 20 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 25 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Add bacon to a large, cold oven-ready skillet. Place over medium heat and cook for 10-12 minutes, until almost crisp. Transfer to a bowl, reserving the grease in the pan.
  • Stir in sausage slices; cook 3-4 minutes. Add chicken thigh pieces; cook and stir for 5 minutes, until browned. Remove meat to the plate with bacon. Discard all the oil, but don't wipe out the pan.
  • Add chopped onion and turn the heat to medium-low; cook and stir for 5 minutes, until the onions are translucent. Add 1 cup of chicken stock.
  • Mash about 1/4 of the beans in a small bowl, stir all the beans into the pan.
  • Stir in cayenne, rosemary and thyme. Add reserved meat back to the pan. Stir in remaining cup of stock or more if needed to cover. Return to simmer.
  • Mix bread crumbs, Parmigiano-Reggiano and melted butter together in a small bowl.
  • Preheat the oven's broiler and set the oven rack about 7 inches from the heat source.
  • Sprinkle the cassoulet with half the bread crumb mixture. Place under the broiler and cook about 5 minutes, until browned.
  • Remove the pan and push bread crumbs down into the cassoulet. Top with remaining bread crumb mixture. Return to oven and continue broiling 5 more minutes, until browned.
  • Turn off the broiler and leave in the oven for 15 minutes. Remove and let sit for 5 minutes. Enjoy.
  • Nutrition

    906 cal.

    • Total Fat: 44g
    • Saturated Fat: 19g
    • Cholesterol: 142mg
    • Sodium: 2072mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 72g
    • Dietary Fiber: 13g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 54g
    • Vitamin C: 6mg
    • Calcium: 358mg
    • Iron: 10mg
    • Potassium: 1468mg