Simple, delicious chicken casserole

I saw a meme last week, Ernie and Burt from Sesame Street with the caption “The year 2020 brought to you by the letters W, T & F”.  That pretty much sums up 2020 for so many.

I have taken the last few months to regroup and focus on my own well-being and that of my family.

I enjoy writing this blog, sharing stories and recipes with you.  It has been too long between blogs, so here we go again.

I have been cooking for my son who has just sat his final HSC exam (thank goodness – what a year!).  Comfort food has been our go-to and chicken is a staple in our house.  This delicious chicken casserole is delicious, tasty and so easy to prepare.

Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• ¼ cup olive oil
• 4 garlic, unpeeled and bashed gently with a knife
• 3 sprigs of rosemary
• Large handful of oregano
• 4 chicken Maryland pieces
• 200ml white wine
• 250g cherry tomato
• ¾ fennel bulb
• 2 tablespoons pitted black olives

Method

Heat oil in a casserole dish (that is oven and stove top proof).  Add garlic and herbs.  Cook for 1-2 minutes.  Add chicken and cook/brown for 10-12 minutes each side.  Add wine, salt and pepper to taste and simmer for 2 minutes.

Scatter the top of the chicken with the tomatoes and sliced fennel.

Transfer to the oven for 30 minutes with the lid on the casserole dish.  Check at 20 minutes to assess how cooked the chicken is. 

If the chicken is not sufficiently brown to your liking, remove the lid for 15 minutes.

Add the olives at this stage and cook for 3 minutes, until they are warm.

Serve with greens and either mashed potato or al dente pasta tossed in olive oil and salt and pepper.  Or if you are feeling like a super carb hit, serve with chunky slices of bread to soak up the divine wine gravy.