There’s a reason why the Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet is about to become your new go-to comfort meal! Imagine tender, juicy chicken meatballs nestled in a rich, aromatic stew of white beans, tomatoes, and garden vegetables—each spoonful is soul-warming and packed with flavor. This dish is rustic yet elegant, incredibly satisfying, and practically invites friends and family to gather around the table. Whether it’s a chilly evening or you just need a cozy, impressive meal, this cassoulet never disappoints.

Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t let the stunning results fool you—this Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet comes together with simple, everyday ingredients, each playing a vital role. From building the savory base to providing an irresistible texture, every component adds its own unique magic to the dish.

1 lb ground chicken: The star of the show, offering lean protein and a tender bite.

½ cup breadcrumbs: These create the perfect meatball texture, helping everything stick together.
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese: Instantly adds rich, nutty notes to the meatballs.

1 large egg: Acts as a binder, ensuring your meatballs hold their shape.
2 cloves garlic, minced: Delivers an aromatic punch—don’t skip this!

1 tsp Italian seasoning: A blend of classic herbs for deep, herby flavor.
Salt and pepper to taste: Brings all the flavors together in perfect harmony.
1 tbsp olive oil: Used for browning, it adds richness and helps build flavor in the pan.

1 large onion, diced: Sets the aromatic foundation for your cassoulet sauce.
2 carrots, diced: A sweet contrast and pop of color in the mix.
2 celery stalks, diced: Adds crunch and extra depth.

3 cloves garlic, minced: Extra garlic means even more savory goodness!
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes: Provides acidity and rich tomato flavor to the sauce.
4 cups chicken broth: Forms the hearty, savory base for the stew.

1 can (15 oz) white beans: Both creamy and filling, they soak up all those lovely flavors.
2 sprigs fresh thyme: Infuses the dish with a beautiful, subtle herbal aroma.
1 bay leaf: Adds a deep savory note you’ll absolutely notice.

How to Make Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken Meatballs

To kick things off, grab a large mixing bowl and combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Use your hands or a fork—whichever you prefer—to mix everything until just combined. The trick here is to avoid overmixing, so the meatballs stay light and tender. Once mixed, roll the mixture into 1-inch balls (aim for about 16-20) and arrange them on a parchment-lined baking sheet, ready for action.

Step 2: Brown the Meatballs

Heat your olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When things are shimmering, add the meatballs in batches, giving them space to get lovely and golden on all sides. This step is all about building flavor—don’t rush it! You’re aiming for a nice crust, but don’t stress if the centers aren’t fully cooked; they’ll finish up later on. Once browned, set them aside so you’re ready for the next stage.

Step 3: Sauté the Vegetables

No need to clean that skillet—use all those tasty bits left behind! Toss in the diced onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté everything for about 5-7 minutes until the veggies become fragrant and start to soften. This forms the heart of your cassoulet’s flavor, laying the groundwork for the vegetables to shine.

Step 4: Combine Ingredients for the Sauce

Now, pour in your diced tomatoes (with all the juices), chicken broth, white beans, fresh thyme, and bay leaf. Give it all a good stir, scraping up any tasty browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Let the mixture come to a gentle simmer for about 10 minutes, infusing every spoonful with depth and deliciousness.

Step 5: Add the Meatballs

Here’s where things start to come together! Carefully nestle your beautifully browned meatballs back into the simmering sauce. Let them get cozy and mostly submerged, so they can soak up every bit of that savory goodness. This is the secret to that incredible flavor you’ll taste later.

Step 6: Bake

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) if you haven’t already. Either keep everything in your oven-proof skillet or transfer to a casserole dish. Cover with foil to keep things moist and bake for 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s perfect when the meatballs are cooked through and the cassoulet is bubbling in all its glory.

Step 7: Garnish and Serve

When it’s finally out of the oven, discard the bay leaf and thyme stems. For an extra flourish, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley and a bit more Parmesan right over the top. This not only adds color but layers even more flavor, turning the Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet into a real showstopper for the table.

How to Serve Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet

Garnishes

A shower of fresh parsley brightens every serving, while a final sprinkling of grated Parmesan cheese gives it that Italian bistro vibe. For a little citrus zing, a tiny squeeze of lemon juice just before serving works wonders, too—don’t be afraid to get creative with your finishing touches!

Side Dishes

The Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet is hearty enough to shine on its own, but if you want to round out the meal, you can’t go wrong with a crisp green salad or freshly baked crusty bread. Both soak up the brothy sauce beautifully and turn dinner into a true event.

Creative Ways to Present

Why not serve the cassoulet family-style right from a big casserole dish in the center of the table? Or, for a fancier gathering, ladle it into individual oven-safe ramekins and top with extra cheese before a quick broil. You can even scoop it onto a bed of buttery mashed potatoes for the ultimate comfort food experience!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet keeps brilliantly. Allow it to cool to room temperature, then transfer to airtight containers and store in the fridge for up to 3 days. The flavors only intensify overnight, making next-day lunches something to look forward to!

Freezing

If you want to freeze your cassoulet, let it cool completely and portion it into freezer-safe containers. It freezes well for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it again, just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Reheating

To reheat, place the cassoulet in a covered dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) until heated through (about 20-25 minutes). For single servings, you can microwave in bursts, stirring between each to evenly distribute the heat. Add a splash of broth if it needs loosening up.

FAQs

Can I use ground turkey instead of chicken for the meatballs?

Absolutely! Ground turkey works beautifully in this recipe and gives a similar texture and flavor. Just choose lean turkey for the best result, and season well to keep the flavors vibrant.

What kind of beans are best for cassoulet?

White beans like cannellini or Great Northern are classic choices for Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet because they’re creamy but hold their shape. Feel free to use navy beans or even a mix if that’s what’s on hand!

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

Yes, Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet is fantastic for making ahead. Prepare everything as instructed up to the baking stage, then refrigerate. When ready to serve, just pop it in the oven and bake until warmed through.

Is it possible to make this recipe gluten free?

Definitely! Just swap regular breadcrumbs for a gluten-free alternative. Everything else in the recipe is naturally gluten-free, so it’s a simple substitution.

Can I make the meatballs smaller or larger?

Of course—you can shape the meatballs to your preferred size. Keep in mind that smaller meatballs will cook faster, while larger ones may need extra time in the oven to cook through completely.

Final Thoughts

If you’re craving a warm, impressive, and absolutely crave-worthy meal, Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet is the recipe you need to try. It’s simple enough for a weeknight yet showy enough for guests. I can’t wait for you to experience all the cozy flavors and memories this dish brings to your table!

Delicious Chicken Meatball Cassoulet Recipe

★★★★★

5.1 from 15 reviews

Author: Mariam
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 4–6 servings 1x

Diet: Gluten Free

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Description

This Chicken Meatball Cassoulet recipe combines juicy chicken meatballs with a flavorful bean and vegetable stew, creating a hearty and comforting dish that is perfect for a cozy family dinner.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken MeatballsStart by making the chicken meatballs. In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, egg, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Shape into meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
Step 2: Brown the MeatballsHeat olive oil in a skillet and brown the meatballs on all sides. Remove and set aside.

Step 3: Sauté the VegetablesSauté onion, carrots, celery, and garlic.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients for the SauceAdd tomatoes, broth, beans, thyme, and bay leaf. Simmer for 10 minutes.
Step 5: Add the MeatballsReturn meatballs to the skillet and nestle them in the sauce.

Step 6: BakeTransfer to a casserole dish, cover, and bake at 375°F for 25-30 minutes.
Step 7: Garnish and ServeRemove from the oven, garnish with parsley and Parmesan, then serve.

Notes

You can customize the herb and spice blend in the meatballs for different flavor profiles.

Feel free to add other vegetables like bell peppers or spinach to the cassoulet for added nutrition.
This dish pairs well with crusty bread or a side salad.

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking, Stovetop

Cuisine: French

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 320

Sugar: 4g
Sodium: 780mg
Fat: 14g

Saturated Fat: 4g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g

Carbohydrates: 20g
Fiber: 6g
Protein: 28g

Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: Chicken Meatball Cassoulet, Chicken Meatballs, Cassoulet Recipe, Comfort Food