Chicken and Red Lentil Casserole

This easy chicken and red lentil casserole is not only quick and easy, it's also packed full of goodness. You only need a handful of storecupboard ingredients for a satisfying and fabulously cozy one pan meal. Lentils are a great way to add bulk and nutrition, give extra texture to the dish and also complement the juicy chicken and tomatoes very well.

Chicken and Red Lentil Casserole

adapted from Delicious

4-5 Chicken quarters, skin-on
Sea salt and freshly milled black pepper
2 tbsp Chicken schmaltz
2 Red onions, sliced
1 Carrot, grated
1 tsp Ground cumin
2 tsp Dried herbs (I used a mixture of thyme, parsley, basil and oregano)
1 tbsp Tomato paste
120 ml White wine or chicken stock
180 g Dried red lentils, rinsed
480 ml Chicken stock
400 g Tomatoes, chopped or canned chopped tomatoes
1 tbsp Chopped parsley, to garnish

Season the chicken quarters with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper. Heat the schmaltz in a large pan with a lid, add the chicken and fry all over to brown. You might have to do this in 2 batches. Remove the chicken from the pan, leaving behind any juices and oils.
Tip the onions and carrot into same pan and gently fry for 10-12 minutes to soften. Stir in the ground cumin, dried herbs, and tomato paste, then cook for 30 seconds.
Pour in the wine or chicken stock, cook for a few minutes, then tip in the lentils, stock and chopped tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, cook for 10 minutes then return the chicken quarters to the pan, cover and simmer for 35-45 minutes until the lentils are tender and the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear when the thickest part of thigh is pierced with a skewer.
Garnish with chopped parsley. Serve with slices of crusty bread or boiled potatoes to mop up the sauce, if you like.

26 comments:

DEZMOND 28/8/25 13:27: Nice colours, I eat red lentils almost daily, I even started to grind them for red lentil flour which is now my main flour that I use.
ellie 28/8/25 13:34: Oh, I need to learn how to make lentle flour! Such a yummy recipe for this. Beautiful dish 🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻🌻I hope you are doing well and have a fantastic September!
Ananka 28/8/25 13:35: Sounds good. I need to eat more lentils :-D
Caitlin'nMegan 28/8/25 13:35: This looks amazing. Awesome to see your recipe! All the best to what is left of August!
Tom 28/8/25 13:50: ...Angie, this is a dish that I would love.
Linda's Relaxing Lair 28/8/25 15:06: Looks amazing 👏
Asep Haryono 28/8/25 16:41: The chicken adds richness while the lentils soak up all that flavor, making it both filling and wholesome. I am starving right now after reading this tasty recipe. OMG
Anonymous 28/8/25 17:11: What a wonderful and comforting recipe as winter comes our way! Saving this as it has many of our favorite ingredients! David (C&L)
Pantherka 28/8/25 17:23: It looks very tempting, it must be delicious.
eileeninmd 28/8/25 17:24: Hello Angie,
Another delicious chicken meal, thanks for the recipe.
Take care, enjoy your day!
David M. Gascoigne, 28/8/25 17:48: We have all the ingredients in the house. We'll give this one a try over the weekend.
Pam 28/8/25 19:10: Hearty, filling, and comforting–looks delicious!
Bill 28/8/25 22:35: Sounds good.
Christine 28/8/25 22:38: yummy
Lowcarb team member 28/8/25 22:53: A lovely recipe Angie ... especially as we are heading into (what should be) the cooler months.

All the best Jan
Cooking Julia 28/8/25 23:41: Good idea to add red lentils to this chicken dish.
roentare 29/8/25 00:23: That casserole is wonderfully hearty and comforting
J.P. Alexander 29/8/25 00:53: Gracias por la receta. te mando un beso.
Brian's Home Blog 29/8/25 00:56: That sure looks great and I'll bet it is too!
Anonymous 29/8/25 05:50: I don't eat lentils, but despite that, this looks so good.
Tandy (Lavender and Lime) https://tandysinclair.com
Granny Sue 29/8/25 06:06: That looks so edible! Great recipe, Angie.
DeniseinVA 29/8/25 07:00: I would like a recipe with lentils. Looks delicious!
Margaret D 29/8/25 08:40: Looks good, Angie.
Carol @Comfort Spring Station 29/8/25 13:37: You cook such gorgeous food!
David 30/8/25 17:37: Hi Angie, We don't eat lentils very often but this chicken recipe looks great and certainly justifies lentils as part of a very enjoyable meal. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
tigerfish 2/9/25 03:03: High-protein casserole with chicken and lentil, love it!