Cheat's French Cassoulet Crock Pot or Le Creuset

Indulge in the rustic comfort of Cheat's French Cassoulet made effortlessly in your Crock Pot or Le Creuset! This simplified take on the traditional French classic combines tender boneless chicken thighs, succulent pork shoulder, smoky sausage, and creamy white beans simmered in a savory medley of chicken stock, white wine, tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Perfect for busy days, this one-pot meal requires minimal hands-on time while delivering luxurious, slow-cooked flavor. Optional golden breadcrumb topping adds a delightful crunch, while a sprinkle of fresh parsley brightens every bite. Whether prepared in a slow cooker or baked in a Dutch oven, this hearty dish is a crowd-pleasing centerpiece for your next cozy gathering. Ready in just a few simple steps, it’s the ultimate in French-inspired comfort food!

Nutriscore Rating: 73/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:240 mins

Total Time:260 mins

Servings: 6

Ingredients

• 6 pieces boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• 1 pound boneless pork shoulder
• 12 ounces smoked sausage (e.g., kielbasa or andouille)
• 3 cups canned white beans (e.g., cannellini or Great Northern beans), drained and rinsed
• 2 cups chicken stock
• 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned, with juices)
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme sprigs
• 0.5 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 0.5 cup breadcrumbs (optional, for topping)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 2

Season the chicken thighs and pork shoulder with salt and pepper. Sear the chicken thighs for 2 minutes per side until golden brown, then transfer them to the slow cooker or Dutch oven.

Step 3

In the same skillet, sear the pork shoulder pieces for 3-4 minutes per side until browned, then transfer to the slow cooker or Dutch oven.

Step 4

Slice the smoked sausage into 1/2-inch rounds and sear them briefly in the skillet until lightly browned. Add to the slow cooker or Dutch oven.

Step 5

In the same skillet, add another tablespoon of olive oil. Sauté the onion, carrots, and garlic until softened, about 5 minutes, then transfer the mixture to the slow cooker or Dutch oven.

Step 6

Deglaze the skillet with the white wine, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 2 minutes, then pour the wine into the slow cooker or Dutch oven.

Step 7

Add the white beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, chicken stock, bay leaf, thyme sprigs, and a pinch of salt and pepper to the slow cooker or Dutch oven. Stir to combine.

Step 8

If using a Crock Pot, set it to high for 4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. If using a Dutch oven, cover and bake in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) for 2.5-3 hours.

Step 9

For an optional breadcrumb topping, mix breadcrumbs with a drizzle of olive oil. Sprinkle over the cassoulet during the last 30 minutes of cooking and allow it to crisp up (if using a Dutch oven, broil briefly for a golden crust).

Step 10

After cooking, remove the bay leaf and thyme sprigs. Taste and adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.

Step 11

Serve hot with a sprinkle of chopped parsley for garnish, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(3603.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5009.3

Total Fat 293.7g	0%
Saturated Fat 90.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 1315.6mg	0%
Sodium 6005.2mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 193.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 43.7g	0%
Total Sugars 31.1g
Protein 349.1g	0%

Vitamin D 42IU	0%
Calcium 777.4mg	0%
Iron 35.4mg	0%
Potassium 6907.7mg	0%

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

Source of Calories

Fat: 54.9%

Protein: 29.0%

Carbs: 16.1%