Rich Chicken Casserole
Rich Chicken Casserole
Chicken thighs casseroled with red onion, peppers, orange, tomatoes and thyme, deepened with sun-dried tomatoes and finished with olives.
Prep: 20 minutes · Cook: about 1 hour 10 minutes
What Is Rich Chicken Casserole?
A slow-simmered chicken casserole where orange rind and juice brighten a base of tomatoes, red onion and peppers, while sun-dried tomatoes add concentrated depth and olives finish it.
Why Make Rich Chicken Casserole?
- Orange and thyme make it more than a standard braise
- Sun-dried tomatoes intensify the slow-cooked sauce
- Chicken thighs stay succulent through the hour
- Browning without added fat keeps it lighter
- A one-casserole dinner with crusty bread
Unico Products Used in This Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 chicken thighs
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 red onion (medium, sliced)
- 1 clove garlic (crushed)
- 1 red bell pepper (large, thickly sliced)
- 1 orange (small — thinly pared rind and juice)
- 200 mL chicken stock
- 398 mL diced tomatoes (canned (14 oz))
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme (chopped)
- 1/2 cup pitted black olives
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- crusty bread (to serve)
- orange rind and thyme sprigs (to garnish)
Instructions
- In a large nonstick skillet, fry the chicken without added fat over fairly high heat, turning, until golden brown; drain off excess fat and transfer to a flameproof casserole.
- Add the oil to the skillet and fry the onion, garlic and bell pepper over moderate heat 3-4 minutes; transfer to the casserole.
- Add the orange rind and juice, stock, canned tomatoes and sun-dried tomatoes; stir to combine.
- Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer very gently over low heat for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
- Add the thyme and olives and adjust the seasoning.
- Garnish with orange rind and thyme sprigs and serve with crusty bread.
Cooking Tips
- Brown the thighs well in the dry pan — their own fat suffices
- Pare the orange rind thinly to avoid bitter pith
- Keep the simmer truly gentle for the full hour
- Add olives and thyme at the end for freshness
- Mop the sauce with crusty bread
Frequently Asked Questions About Rich Chicken Casserole
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1. Why add orange to a chicken casserole?
The rind and juice lift the rich tomato base — a classic Mediterranean pairing with thyme and olives.
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2. Can I use chicken breasts?
Thighs are better for the hour's simmer; breasts dry out — if using, shorten the cooking time.
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3. What do sun-dried tomatoes add?
Dense texture and concentrated flavour that intensify slow-cooked dishes.
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4. Can I make it ahead?
Yes — it reheats beautifully; add the olives and thyme when reheating.
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5. How do I store leftovers?
Refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 months.
Rich Chicken Casserole Made Simple
Rich Chicken Casserole earns its name with orange, thyme and a double dose of tomato. Unico diced and sun-dried tomatoes build the depth, and the olives finish it.