Faux Cassoulet (Southern version)

6 skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

1 pound boneless country-style pork ribs, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces

12 ounces thick bacon, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

2 medium carrots, chopped

2 celery ribs, chopped

1 (28-oz.) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 (16-oz.) package smoked sausage, sliced

2 (15.8-oz.) cans great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

3/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

2 teaspoons chopped thyme

2 teaspoons chopped oregano

2 teaspoons chopped rosemary

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1 1/2 cups panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)



1. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; cook half of chicken in 1 Tbsp. hot oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat 5 minutes on each side. Remove from skillet; repeat with 1 Tbsp. oil and remaining chicken. Wipe skillet clean. Sprinkle pork with salt and pepper, and sauté in remaining 2 Tbsp. hot olive oil in skillet, 3 minutes or until browned. Remove pork; wipe skillet clean.



2. Preheat oven to 300°. Cook bacon in skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes or until crisp; drain bacon, reserving 2 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Add onion, carrots, and celery, and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 8 minutes. Stir in chopped tomatoes, and cook 1 minute. Add garlic, and cook 1 minute.



3. Add bacon, sausage, and reserved pork to tomato mixture; bring to a simmer. Stir in beans and next 5 ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange chicken in a single layer, skin side up, in a large baking dish. Spoon bean mixture over chicken.



4. Stir together melted butter and breadcrumbs, and sprinkle over cassoulet. Bake at 300° for 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until golden brown and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.



Southern Living