Slow Cooker Sausage and Chicken Cassoulet

2022-01-14
Slow Cooker Sausage and Chicken Cassoulet
Hands On Time:
20 mins
Total Time:
6 hrs
Servings:
4
Yield:
7 cups

Ingredients

  • 1 ⅓ cup dry cannellini beans or Great Northern beans (9 ounces)

  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt, plus more for seasoning

  • 3 tablespoon olive oil, divided

  • 2 cup chopped onions

  • 1 cup sliced celery

  • ¾ cup chopped carrot

  • 2 teaspoon dried herbs de Provence or Italian seasoning, crushed

  • 6 garlic cloves, sliced

  • ½ cup dry white wine or dry vermouth

  • 2 ¼ cup chicken broth

  • ¼ cup oil-packed dried tomatoes, chopped

  • 12 ounce fully cooked garlic chicken sausages, thickly sliced on the bias

  • 1 ½ cup fresh bread crumbs (from 2 slices hearty sandwich bread)

  • 1 recipe Slow Cooker Chicken Confit (see below)

  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh parsley (optional)

  • Freshly ground black pepper

Slow Cooker Chicken Confit

  • 4 bone-in, skin-on chicken leg quarters (drumstick and thigh)

  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed

  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt

  • ½ teaspoon granulated garlic

  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • Nonstick cooking spray

Directions

  1. In a 4- to 6-qt. Dutch oven combine beans, 8 cups cold water, and 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Cover and let stand 1 hour; drain. Rinse beans with cold water; drain. Pour beans into a 6- to 7-qt. slow cooker.

  2. In a 12-inch skillet heat 1 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high. Add onions, celery, carrot, and herbes de Provence; cook about 5 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring frequently. Add garlic; cook and stir 1 minute. Add wine; simmer 1 minute or until nearly evaporated, stirring to scrape up browned bits on bottom of pan. Pour vegetable mixture over beans in cooker. Add broth and dried tomatoes; stir to combine. Cover and cook on high 4 to 4 1/2 hours or low 8 to 9 hours.

  3. In a clean 12-inch skillet heat an additional 2 Tbsp. olive oil over medium-high. Add sausage; cook 3 minutes per side or until browned. If using low-heat setting for slow cooker, turn to high. Stir sausage into beans in cooker; cover and cook 30 minutes.

  4. Meanwhile, add bread crumbs to the skillet. Cook over medium 4 minutes or until golden brown and crispy, stirring frequently. Transfer to a small bowl. Place the chicken confit legs in the same skillet; cook over medium 4 minutes per side or until heated through and skin is crisp.

  5. Season bean mixture with black pepper and additional salt. Divide among four bowls; top with chicken legs and sprinkle with bread crumbs and parsley (if using). Serves 4.

Slow Cooker Chicken Confit

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry. In a small bowl mix together thyme, garlic, 1 tsp. salt, and 1/4 tsp. black pepper. Rub mixture all over the chicken pieces.

  2. Coat the inside of a 6- to 7-qt. slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Place chicken pieces skin side up in an even layer in slow cooker. Cover; cook on high 3 to 3 1/2 hours or low 6 to 7 hours.

  3. Serve chicken immediately or cool slightly, then refrigerate until completely cool. Cover and store in the refrigerator up to 4 days. Serves 4.

The slow cooker transforms these simple chicken legs into crisp-skinned, fall apart tender meat that can be served with traditional side dishes or as the star of a French-inspired fork-and-knife winter salad (see recipe.)

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

1050 Calories
39g Fat
73g Carbs
93g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 1050
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 39g 50%
Saturated Fat 8g 40%
Cholesterol 249mg 83%
Sodium 1565mg 68%
Total Carbohydrate 73g 27%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 93g 186%
Vitamin C 15.5mg 17%
Calcium 181mg 14%
Iron 9.5mg 53%
Potassium 855mg 18%
Folate, total 62.2mcg
Vitamin B-12 0.8mcg
Vitamin B-6 1.2mg

*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Related Article

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Molten Chocolate Lava Cakes

Few desserts elicit the oohs and ahhs that molten cakes do, which makes them a natural pick for special dinners. Feel free to use semi-sweet baking chocolate in place of the bittersweet chocolate if that's the variety you have on hand.
13 Easy Hot Dip Recipes That Belong on Your Game-Day Menu

13 Easy Hot Dip Recipes That Belong on Your Game-Day Menu

Any game-day party will be tastier with these crowd-pleasing appetizer dips, whether you decide to serve up indulgent buffalo chicken dip or a healthier spinach dip recipe.
Cottage Cheese-Dill Dip

Cottage Cheese-Dill Dip

A green, yellow, or red sweet pepper shell makes a fun serving bowl for this low-fat cottage cheese dill dip.
4 Mouthwatering Bratwurst Recipe Ideas for Your Next Cookout

4 Mouthwatering Bratwurst Recipe Ideas for Your Next Cookout

These creative bratwurst recipe ideas use clever combinations of veggies, sauces, and other toppings for a memorable backyard barbecue.
Greek Flatbreads

Greek Flatbreads

This easy Mediterranean flatbread recipe is topped with lots of fresh veggies and herbs. Great for a quick dinner, this Mediterranean recipe can be ready in just 35 minutes.
27 Make-Ahead Game-Day Recipes That Will Make You the MVP

27 Make-Ahead Game-Day Recipes That Will Make You the MVP

When you need game-day recipes that are ready when you are, use these make-ahead football food ideas. The dishes here are our top football recipes.
Garden Stir-Fry

Garden Stir-Fry

Grab all your extra garden veggies and use them up in this easy stir-fry recipe. Cauliflower, green beans, summer squash, and sweet peppers are all welcome, and you can mix up the veggie combo you use each time depending on what you have on hand.
5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Homemade Dinners

5-Ingredient Slow Cooker Recipes for Easy Homemade Dinners

Not sure what to serve for dinner tonight? With these easy 5-ingredient slow cooker recipes, a delicious, hearty meal is easy to prepare.
Fruit Leather

Fruit Leather

Fruit Leather
The Best Types of Red Wine and How to Serve Them

The Best Types of Red Wine and How to Serve Them

This red wine guide shares the best types of red wine and how to serve them. Plus, the best red wine glasses to use for aroma and flavor enjoyment.
Hibiscus Tea Is the Perfect Summertime Drink

Hibiscus Tea Is the Perfect Summertime Drink

Agua Fresca de Jamaica (Iced Hibiscus Tea) is a tangy, refreshing drink that's made with dried hibiscus flowers, sugar, and lime juice. Read on for everything you need to know about the benefits of hibiscus tea and how to make it.
How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

How to Cook Eggplant—5 Simple Methods

If you're wondering how to cook eggplant, keep reading. On the grill, roasted, sautéed, and—yes—even in the microwave, this vegetable is as versatile as it is delicious.
We Tried the TikTok-Famous Million Layer Potatoes, And They're Delicious

We Tried the TikTok-Famous Million Layer Potatoes, And They're Delicious

We put the TikTok-famous million layer potato recipe to the test. Get our take on the stacked potato recipe, including the most delicious homemade spicy aioli for dipping.
13 Slow Cooker Brunch Recipes that Work for Weekday Breakfasts, Too

13 Slow Cooker Brunch Recipes that Work for Weekday Breakfasts, Too

These slow cooker brunch recipes work, whether it's a hectic weekday or a calm Sunday. The easy prep and delicious results will make everyone happy.
14 Easy Pasta Side Dishes to Pair With Your Favorite Proteins

14 Easy Pasta Side Dishes to Pair With Your Favorite Proteins

These pasta side dishes might outshine the main. Whether you flip for farfalle, go wild for gnocchi, or prefer your noodles in soup, you’ll find new and classic pasta side dish recipe ideas in this guide. Add these easy pasta side dishes to your menu alongside protein and you have a quick and well-balanced meal.
This Sautéed Zucchini Recipe Is the Best Way to Use Up Your Bounty

This Sautéed Zucchini Recipe Is the Best Way to Use Up Your Bounty

Although it's available year-round, the best time to enjoy zucchini is during the summer. Here's how to make quick sautéed zucchini, one of our favorite summer side dishes.
Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

Roasted Vegetables and Chickpeas

Rich with vitamins and minerals, this savory side dish is packed with flavor, enhanced beautifully by the roasting process. Rosemary and garlic lend their aromatic essence, while a hearty blend of chickpeas, twin potatoes and carrots ensures that this vegetarian delight will satisfy. Rinse chickpeas well to remove excess salt.
Farro-Stuffed Peppers

Farro-Stuffed Peppers

Farro-Stuffed Peppers
Pesto Chicken and Radicchio Skewers

Pesto Chicken and Radicchio Skewers

Chicken marinates in a citrus-basil pesto before sharing stick space with purple radicchio.
Grilled Zucchini and Goat Cheese Toasts

Grilled Zucchini and Goat Cheese Toasts

Put a bumper crop of zucchini to use in this fresh spin on a crostini appetizer recipe.