Rustic Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet with Herb Breadcrumb Topping
This rustic cassoulet blends tender chicken, smoky sausage, and white beans in a fragrant herb broth finished with a crunchy, herb-scented breadcrumb topping. This french-inspired french ready in about 55 minutes pairs bone-in chicken thighs, andouille sausage, sliced, canned great northern beans, drained for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 580 calories and feeds 5, 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.
Ingredients
- 5 pieces bone-in chicken thighs
- 12 oz andouille sausage, sliced
- 3 cups canned great northern beans, drained
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 1 medium carrot, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 3 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add 5 bone-in chicken thighs skin side down and sear for 7 minutes until skin is golden and crisp. Flip and cook for 5 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
- Step 2: Add 12 oz sliced andouille sausage to the skillet and cook for 4 minutes until browned. Remove sausage and set aside.
- Step 3: Add 1 medium chopped yellow onion, 1 medium chopped carrot, and 3 minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Sauté for 6 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Step 4: Stir in 1 tbsp tomato paste and cook for 2 minutes to deepen flavor.
- Step 5: Return chicken and sausage to the skillet. Add 3 cups drained canned great northern beans and 4 cups chicken broth. Season with 1 1/2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley, and 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves.
- Step 6: Bring to a simmer on the stove, then transfer the skillet uncovered to the oven. Bake for 25 minutes until chicken is cooked through and sauce is bubbling.
- Step 7: Remove from oven and sprinkle 3/4 cup breadcrumbs evenly over the top. Broil for 3-5 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crunchy.
- Step 8: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and the crust to set.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rustic Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet with Herb Breadcrumb Topping take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (15 min prep + 40 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 Rustic Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet with Herb Breadcrumb Topping?
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 Rustic Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet with Herb Breadcrumb Topping?
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 Rustic Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet with Herb Breadcrumb Topping for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 5 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 5). 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 Rustic Chicken and Sausage Cassoulet with Herb Breadcrumb Topping?
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.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Made this for my wife's birthday—she said it was 'better than Parisian bistros'!
- ★★★★★
Perfect for a cozy winter meal. The chicken and sausage melded beautifully with the herbs.
- ★★★★★
This cassoulet was a hit at my Sunday dinner. The herb topping added such a lovely crunch—my kids even asked for seconds!