This Simple Country Chicken Casserole is full of earthy, clean flavours that promise to settle an overindulged festive body and soul by the bowlful.
Real food that takes very little prep time. Perfect.
Here’s hoping you’ve had a wonderful Christmas and you’re excited about a fresh new year ahead!
I did mean to pop in and post over crimbo, but honestly we were just having way too much fun to be thinking about work – sorry ;)
Jonny’s kids are still down with us and tonight we’re all heading out for a New Years Eve meal with friends, and then for a wander through the crazy lanes of Looe hunting for this years best fancy dress.
Photos no doubt to follow…
Meanwhile, here’s a family friendly dish to cook up over the next few days that you can prep on autopilot and is really cheap to boot.
Why not prepare this simple country chicken casserole ahead of time.
Then you’ll have it ready to pop in the oven when you get in from work or back from a brisk winters walk.
If you’re in need of a full on festive detox then serve it on its own for a healthy and filling casserole.
Otherwise, serve it with some crusty bread or a dollop of creamy mashed potato with a generous spoon of wholegrain mustard mixed through. Delish.
Simple Country Chicken Casserole
I made this simple country chicken casserole in my shiny new Le Creuset casserole dish.
But this would work equally well in a Dutch oven over a campfire, or in the slow cooker too.
If you fancy the slow cooker version, simply cook for 3-4 hours on high or 6-8 on low.
Happy New Year to you and your family, I wish you all the best for the year ahead :)
Janie x
- 8 chicken thighs
- 400 g chopped tinned tomatoes
- 1 onion - large, finely chopped
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme - leaves only
- 4 garlic cloves - minced
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- 250 ml water
- 200g button mushrooms - wiped clean
- 2 sprigs fresh thyme to serve
- Preheat oven to 180/350/gas 4
Remove the skin from the chicken thighs and pop into the casserole dish along with the tomatoes, onions, thyme, garlic, mustard,stock cube and water.
Put the lid on the casserole dish, and cook for 1 hour.
When the hour is up, pop in the mushrooms and bake for another 30 minutes.
By this point the chicken should be cooked through, and the sauce reduced.
If the sauce is still a little watery for your liking, thicken with a teaspoon or two of cornflour mixed into a splash of cold water and stirred into the sauce.
Return the pan to the oven for a further 10 minutes to thicken.
- Scatter the finished dish with more fresh thyme leaves and serve.
Sylvia @ Happiness is homemade says
Oh my! I need a plate of this happiness now :) Looks super scruptious! I pinterested it for the future :)
Jane Sarchet says
Thanks Sylvia, and Happy New Year to you and your family :)
Janie x
Choclette says
So glad you had a good Christmas. Shockingly I have never been to Looe for New Year’s – we’re both a bit pathetic when it comes to staying up late. Have a fun evening and wishing you all the very best for 2015 :)
We are very nearly better now – hooray!
Jane Sarchet says
Oh I’m so glad, I have been sending you both virtual hugs and hankies :)
See ya soon!
Janie x
Judith (Mostly About Chocolate Blog) says
This is fab! The perfect idea for this time of the year because I can cook it and forget it (so to speak) and always have something on hand!
Jane Sarchet says
Exactly Judith, and after all the festive crazy, it’s nice to go back to simpler things :) Happy New Year, here’s wishing you a fabulous 2015
Janie x
Emma @ Adventures of a London Kiwi says
Perfect winter scrumptiousness!
Jane Sarchet says
I know right! Easy & tasty, what’s not to love :)
Happy new year Emma!
Janie x
Simone says
Yay!!! Happy New Years to you too Janie and yes, i do hope we see each other again this year. Are you planning on going to FBC this year?
Jane Sarchet says
Probably, although am open to other adventures too. How about you, are you planning to go?
Bintu @ Recipes From A Pantry says
I want both the casserole and the shiny new Le Creuset. And I am looking forward to those pics.
Lizzy (Good Things) says
What a flavoursome casserole, with those tender chicken thighs and all the seasonings! Way too hot Downunder for this, but bookmarking for winter… happy new year Janie xo
Jane Sarchet says
Oh to be too hot Lizzy :) Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Janie x
Helen @ Fuss Free Flavours says
A lovely casserole, I do like the good old chicken thigh!
Jane Sarchet says
Me too Helen, cheap and cheerful and oodles of flavour :)
Janie x
Lou Foti says
Lovely casserole Janie, the perfect hassle free hearty family fodder. And of course a very belated happy new year to you, thanks for entering Family Foodies, bit late in rounding you I know!
dave says
thanks for the lovely recipe!
i had to mod it for my finicky family:
diced pumpkin instead of tomatoes
carrots instead of mushrooms
and because i was using slightly chunky chicken (i like big thighs and i cannot lie) the cooking time was slightly longer but the result…
ahh, the result…
it was perfect!
thanks for all your hard work, and for sharing it with us.
all the best!
Jane Sarchet says
Dave, thank you for your lovely message! I’m so glad you all enjoyed it :)
Janie x