There is something wonderfully comforting about a chicken casserole slowly simmering away on the stove.

This simple chicken casserole brings together golden chicken marylands, smoky bacon, sweet carrot and onion, garlic and tomato, gently cooked with white wine and chicken stock until the chicken is tender and the sauce is rich and deeply savoury.

It is classic, unfussy cooking — the kind of meal that relies on good ingredients, a sturdy pot and a little time rather than complicated techniques. Browning the chicken first adds depth and flavour, while the slow simmer allows everything to come together beautifully.

I love serving this chicken casserole with creamy mashed potato, steamed rice or a crisp green salad. It is generous, satisfying comfort food that works just as well for a relaxed family dinner as it does for entertaining.

Why you’ll love this chicken casserole

This is a wonderfully straightforward one-pot meal with plenty of flavour. The combination of chicken, bacon, vegetables, garlic, tomato, white wine and stock creates a rich and aromatic casserole without a long list of ingredients.

The recipe is also easy to prepare ahead, making it ideal when you want a nourishing homemade dinner without having to cook everything at the last minute.

Chef Sam’s notes

Don’t rush the browning stage. Allowing the chicken to become properly golden creates those delicious caramelised flavours that form the foundation of the casserole.

You can also prepare the casserole ahead of time and gently reheat it before serving. As with many slow-cooked dishes, the flavours often become even more rounded after resting.

For extra vegetables, add mushrooms, celery, peas or seasonal greens towards the end of cooking. Serve with a generous spoonful of mashed potato to catch all that beautiful sauce.

Serving suggestions

This chicken casserole is particularly delicious served with creamy mashed potato, steamed rice or a simple green salad. For extra colour and fibre, add steamed broccoli, green beans or other seasonal vegetables.

Storage

Allow leftovers to cool promptly, then refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat gently until piping hot throughout.

The casserole can also be frozen in individual portions for an easy future meal.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Simple food is often the most satisfying. This chicken casserole transforms a handful of everyday ingredients into a deeply comforting meal with very little fuss.

It is the kind of practical home cooking I love — good food, cooked simply, with time doing much of the work.

Simple chicken casserole

Recipe by Samantha Gowing

• Total Time1 hour
• YieldServes 2

The recipe is also easy to prepare ahead, making it ideal when you want a nourishing homemade dinner without having to cook everything at the last minute.

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Ingredients

Units MUS Scale 1/2x1x2x3x

2 chicken marylands, skin on 1 tbsp plain flour Pinch salt Cracked black pepper 1 tbsp olive oil 175 g bacon, diced 1 onion, diced 1 carrot, finely diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 tbsp tomato paste 250 ml white wine 500 ml chicken stock

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Instructions

1. Place flour in a large bowl with salt & pepper.
2. Toss chicken pieces to coat, shake off excess.
3. Heat a heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat.
4. Add olive oil and cook chicken pieces all over until golden brown.
5. Remove chicken from the pot and set aside.
6. Return pot to the heat and add more oil if necessary.
7. Cook bacon, onion, carrot and garlic until soft.
8. Add white wine, then tomato paste, cook briefly.
9. Then add stock and bring to the boil briefly.
10. Reduce heat to a simmer, return chicken to the pot
11. Cover with a lid and cook for 1 hour, or until chicken is soft.
12. Transfer to serving plates and season if required, serve with mash potatoes, steamed rice or a green salad.

 

Notes

Chicken provides quality protein, while onion, carrot and garlic contribute fibre and a range of naturally occurring plant compounds. Adding vegetables to the casserole helps create a more balanced and nourishing meal.

For an even more nutrient-dense plate, serve the casserole alongside plenty of steamed green vegetables or a fresh leafy salad.

As always, choosing good-quality chicken, fresh vegetables and a flavourful stock makes a noticeable difference to the finished dish.

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• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour