Ingredients:

  • 2 lbs bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
  • 1 lb smoked kielbasa or garlic sausage, sliced into 1-inch rounds
  • 4 oz thick-cut bacon, diced into lardons
  • 3 cans (15 oz each) cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups yellow onions, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup dry white wine (such as Sauvignon Blanc)
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
  • 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs (from sourdough or French loaf)
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Instructions:

  1. Add the 4 oz diced bacon to a cold Dutch oven. Turn heat to medium and cook 8 minutes until crispy and fat is fully liquid.
  2. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon. Increase heat to medium high. Add 2 lbs chicken thighs, skin side down. Sear for 6 minutes until skin is golden and releases easily. Flip and sear for 3 minutes more. Remove and set aside.
  3. Add 1 lb sliced kielbasa to the same pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until edges are browned and slightly curled. Remove and set aside with the chicken.
  4. Lower heat to medium. Add 2 cups chopped onions. Sauté for 7 minutes until translucent and soft. Stir in 3 cloves minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant but not brown.
  5. Pour in 1 cup dry white wine. Scrape the bottom of the pot vigorously for 2 minutes until the liquid reduces by half and bits are dissolved.
  6. Stir in 2 tbsp tomato paste, 2 cups chicken stock, and 1 tbsp fresh thyme. Add 3 cans drained cannellini beans. Stir gently to combine without smashing the beans.
  7. Nestles the chicken thighs and kielbasa back into the bean mixture. Pour in any juices that collected on the plate.
  8. In a small bowl, toss 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup parsley and 2 tbsp melted butter. Sprinkle evenly over the top of the cassoulet.
  9. Place in a 350°F (180°C) oven for 1 hours 15 mins until the liquid is bubbling and the crust is mahogany brown.
  10. Let the pot sit on the counter for 10 minutes. This allows the sauce to thicken into a velvety consistency before you scoop into it.