While in lock-down and familiarising myself with the back of the pantry, I was inspired to make Cranberry Chilli Chicken Casserole.
It started as I was tidying my pantry. I thought I was somewhat organised but found a few half-packets of ‘things’ that were partially hidden by other half-packets of ‘things’. I stumbled upon some dried cranberries and I had a throw-back to an old favourite dish that I haven’t cooked in around a decade. It must have been that long as I can’t even recall writing down the recipe even back then. But like riding a bike, memories of this delicious dish came flooding back. It’s super simple to make and really tasty.
The beauty of this casserole recipe is that has a very delicious sauce that goes wonderfully when served with mashed potato as it soaks up all the flavours. The secret ingredient is red wine. “Nooooooo!!!” I hear you say, “don’t waste the wine in a time like this!” I do appreciate the dilemma but it only 1.5 cups and I bought the cheapest possible wine available and there was plenty left over if I fancied a slurp myself! The cranberries give the sweetness, the chilli the delicate bite!
Cranberry Chilli Chicken Casserole
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
- 3 chicken breasts, sliced and diced into cubes
- drizzle of oil
- 1 onion
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1 chilli, finely chopped
- 1 Maggi onion soup sachet
- 1.5 cups of red wine
- salt and pepper
Method:
- Pre-heat oven to 180°C.
- Slice then cube chicken breasts into equal sized pieces. Over a medium heat, pan-fry in a little oil until the chicken is browned. Transfer to a medium-sized casserole dish.
- Slice onion then pan fry until soft. Transfer to the casserole dish along with dried cranberries and chilli.
- Whisk onion soup sachet with red wine, then pour over chicken.
- Generously season with salt and pepper.
- Cover the casserole dish with a lid or tin foil, then bake in the oven for 1.5 hours. At least once during this cooking time, carefully remove the lid/foil and gently mix the ingredients so the top doesn’t get dry.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and your favourite veggies.
