One-Pot Chicken Thigh Cassoulet with Smoked Sausage

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A comforting French-inspired cassoulet made easy with bone-in chicken thighs, smoky sausage, pancetta, and creamy white beans all cooked in one pot. This French recipe, ready in about 80 minutes, pairs bone-in chicken thighs, smoked sausage, sliced, pancetta, diced for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 60 min Serves 6 French cuisine 580 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Cookware & pots → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Season 6 bone-in chicken thighs with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Brown chicken skin side down for 5-6 minutes until golden and crispy. Flip and cook 3 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
  2. Step 2: Add 4 oz diced pancetta to the pot and cook for 3-4 minutes until rendered and slightly crisp. Add 1 medium diced yellow onion, 2 diced celery stalks, 2 diced carrots, and 4 minced garlic cloves. Sauté over medium heat for 6 minutes until vegetables soften and become fragrant.
  3. Step 3: Stir in 3 cups drained canned white beans, 12 oz sliced smoked sausage, 4 cups chicken broth, 3 fresh thyme sprigs, and 1 bay leaf. Season with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  4. Step 4: Return the browned chicken thighs to the pot, nestling them into the bean mixture skin side up.
  5. Step 5: Cover the Dutch oven with its lid and transfer to the oven. Bake for 35 minutes.
  6. Step 6: Remove lid and sprinkle 3/4 cup panko breadcrumbs evenly over the top. Dot with 2 tbsp unsalted butter. Return to oven uncovered and bake for an additional 20 minutes until breadcrumbs are golden and crispy and the sauce is bubbling.
  7. Step 7: Let rest for 10 minutes before serving, garnishing with fresh thyme if desired.

Frequently asked questions

How long does One-Pot Chicken Thigh Cassoulet with Smoked Sausage take to make?

Total time is about 80 minutes (20 min prep + 60 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover One-Pot Chicken Thigh Cassoulet with Smoked Sausage?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bone-in chicken thighs from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in One-Pot Chicken Thigh Cassoulet with Smoked Sausage?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale One-Pot Chicken Thigh Cassoulet with Smoked Sausage for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with One-Pot Chicken Thigh Cassoulet with Smoked Sausage?

French french like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes