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    Home » Recipes » Easy Meals

    Sauerkraut Casserole with Chicken

    September 21, 2017 By Monika Last Updated December 20, 2022 7 Comments

    Jump to Recipe
    Potato, chicken, sauerkraut and carrot stew in green bowl with red-and-white checkered cloth in background.

    This hearty, nourishing sauerkraut casserole with chicken and potatoes is packed full of flavour and nutritious ingredients. It's super simple to make and requires very little effort.

    See also sauerkraut with mushrooms!

    Sauerkraut, chicken, potato, carrot stew in green bowl with red-and-white checkered cloth to the right.

    This sauerkraut casserole is the perfect Oktoberfest dish, rainy day dish, and a one-pot healthy comfort food dish that's ideal for sharing. It's filling, tastes delicious the next day too and takes minutes to assemble. It requires few ingredients and most of the cooking takes place in the oven so all you have to do is give it a stir every once in a while. 

    This sauerkraut casserole with chicken isn't a Polish recipe though it is loosely based on traditional Polish bigos sauerkraut stew.

    Is sauerkraut healthy

    Yes, it is! Sauerkraut is not only delicious, but also healthy.

    Sauerkraut contains beneficial probiotics (important for good digestive health), is a source of fibre, vitamins and minerals. It is also naturally low in calories. 

    It contains, however, a lot of salt.  This in itself is not a great thing but you can also use it to your advantage.  You simply won't need to add much salt to your chicken sauerkraut recipe! 

    Sauerkraut casserole ingredients

    Sauerkraut casserole ingredients in individual dishes.
    Sauerkraut casserole ingredients.
    • Sauerkraut. See below for more details.
    • I used skinless chicken thighs but you can use drumsticks or chicken legs if you prefer.  I do not recommend using chicken breast as it just becomes dry and stringy if cooked for too long. Dark meat is best.
    • I used a handful of simple vegetables including onion, carrot and potatoes to offset the sourness and to add more substance to this dish.  
    • Porcini mushrooms add more depth of flavour.
    • Prunes go extremely well with sauerkraut adding a hint of sweetness.
    • I also used a little white wine, allspice berries, one bay leaf and caraway seeds for more flavour.

    Top tip

    You can replace the water with chicken or vegetable stock (and omit adding the salt).

    Top down view of sauerkraut in white bowl with spoon and sauerkraut packaging.

    How to buy sauerkraut

    When you shop for sauerkraut try to look for yellow and greenish rather than grey coloured sauerkraut, preferably made without any additives.  Polish delicatessens usually sell good quality sauerkraut. 

    Sometimes sauerkraut contains a little carrot which is added in for sweetness.  It's absolutely fine to use that too.

    How to prepare the sauerkraut

    All you have to do is remove excess water from the sauerkraut (without making it completely dry) and chop it roughly to get rid of long strands. I do NOT recommend rinsing your sauerkraut as this will rinse away some of the flavour (along with the salt) and the dish may be a little bland.

    Side view of sauerkraut, chicken and potato casserole in green bowl with spoon, red-and-white cloth and large white pot in background.

    Step-by-step recipe instructions

    Once you've prepared all the ingredients putting the casserole together is a quick process (it takes about 10 minutes).

    1.Preheat the oven to 170 C. Start by heating up some oil and frying the onion, garlic, caraway seeds, bay leaf and allspice for 2-3 minutes.

    Chopped onion and spices in large white pot with wooden spatula.

    2. Move the onion mixture to the sides and add the chicken.  Fry for 3 minutes on each side.

    4 chicken thighs with chopped onions in large white pot with wooden spatula.

    3. Add the sauerkraut, prunes and porcini, stir and continue cooking for 2-3 more minutes.

    Sauerkraut, prunes and dried mushrooms in large white pot with wooden spoon.

    4. Add the rest of the ingredients, give a stir, cover and place on the bottom oven shelf. Bake for 2.5 hours. Stir twice during cooking.

    Cubed potatoes and carrots in large white pot.

    5. Remove the chicken from the pot, put on a plate and separate the meat from the bone.  Put the chicken back in the pot, stir and serve!

    Potatoes, carrots, chicken pieces and sauerkraut in large white pot with spoon and lid in top right.

    Serving suggestions

    Sauerkraut chicken casserole tastes delicious on its own, but you can also enjoy it with crusty bread, pumpernickel or rye bread.

    Top tips and FAQs

    • I used chicken thighs but you can use chicken quarters or drumsticks if you prefer. I do not recommend using chicken breast.
    • I recommend using low-starch potatoes (what you would normally use for salads), such as Charlotte, baby potatoes or Red Bliss, as they hold their shape well in cooking.
    • You don't need to add much salt into the casserole (sauerkraut is salty) but be generous with the pepper.
    • I recommend buying sauerkraut in a Polish delicatessen.  Look for yellow and greenish rather than grey looking sauerkraut.
    • This sauerkraut casserole tastes even better the next day. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
    • Freeze for up to 3 months.

    What else can you do with sauerkraut

    A while ago I posted a vegetarian version of the popular Polish sauerkraut soup, a delicious low fat comfort food recipe. (Anything with sauerkraut in it can be classed as comfort food really).  See also my zesty Polish sauerkraut salad with carrot and apple.  You might also like Polish sauerkraut pierogi, a traditional Christmas Eve dish, as well as sauerkraut cabbage rolls.

    Don't forget to check out my tips on how to cook sauerkraut!

    Side view of sauerkraut, chicken and potato casserole in green bowl with spoon, red-and-white cloth and large white pot in background.

    You might also like

    • Sausage and Bean Casserole with Spinach
    • Chicken and Butternut Squash Casserole
    • Leftover Chicken Potato Bake (Healthy)
    • Chicken Potato Winter Stew

    Check out also this collection of healthy, easy chicken recipes!

    Keep in touch!

    How has your chicken sauerkraut casserole turned out for you? Let me know in the comments below, thanks!

    Follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for regular recipe updates! Or you could subscribe to this blog and receive all my latest recipes right into your mailbox!

    Potatoes, carrots, chicken pieces and sauerkraut in large white pot with spoon and lid in top right.

    Sauerkraut Casserole with Chicken

    This hearty sauerkraut casserole with chicken is a delicious one-pot healthy comfort food dish that's ideal for sharing.  
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dinner, Main
    Cuisine: gluten free
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
    Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
    Servings: 6 servings
    Calories: 284kcal
    Author: Monika Dabrowski

    Equipment

    • Medium-sized casserole dish suitable for all heat sources.

    Ingredients

    • 10.58 ounces (300 g) sauerkraut chopped
    • 4-5 chicken thighs skinless
    • 1 large carrot peeled, diced
    • 6 small/medium potatoes peeled, cubed
    • 6 prunes pitted, halved
    • 1 onion finely chopped
    • 2 garlic cloves finely chopped
    • 4 porcini mushrooms thoroughly rinsed
    • 2 tablespoons olive oil
    • 4 tablespoons white wine
    • 1 cup (240 ml) water
    • 1 bay leaf
    • 2 allspice berries
    • ½ teaspoon caraway seeds
    • 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt or to taste, plus pepper to taste

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350 F/ 180 C/ gas mark 4. You will need a deep casserole dish with a lid.
    • Heat up the oil in the casserole dish, add the bay leaf, allspice, caraway seeds, onion and garlic. Fry for a couple of minutes over a medium heat stirring often.
    • Move the onion mixture to the sides, add the chicken and fry for 2-3 minutes on each side. Add the prunes, sauerkraut, mushrooms and stir thoroughly. Continue cooking for another 2-3 minutes.
    • Add the carrot, potato, wine and water, salt and a generous amount of pepper and stir thoroughly. Cover and place on the bottom oven shelf and bake for 2.5 hours. Stir the stew 2-3 times throughout cooking.
    • Remove the chicken from the pot and separate the meat from the bone. Put the chicken pieces back in the pot and stir. Serve with crusty bread or simply on its own.

    Notes

    • I used chicken thighs but you can use chicken quarters or drumsticks if you prefer. I do not recommend using chicken breast.
    • I recommend using salad potatoes, such as Charlotte, baby potatoes or Red Bliss, as they hold their shape well in cooking. 
    • You don't need to add much salt into the casserole (sauerkraut is salty) but be generous with the pepper.
    • You can replace the water with chicken or vegetable stock (and omit adding the salt).
    • I recommend buying sauerkraut in a Polish delicatessen.  Look for yellow and greenish rather than grey looking sauerkraut.
    • This casserole tastes even better the next day. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
    • Freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 787mg | Potassium: 389mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 1844IU | Vitamin C: 10mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 1mg

    *Nutritional information is automatically generated and should be considered as an estimate.

    **A note about baking: If using a fan-assisted oven refer to your appliance's instructions and adjust the temperature accordingly.

    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @Monika8021 or tag #EverydayHealthyRecipes!
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    1. hijackedbytwins

      September 26, 2017 at 4:16 pm

      Arrrr this recipe has reminded me I have some homemade sauerkraut that needs checking on!!! Thank you. This recipe sounds delicious and one to try. Thank you for sharing with #CookBlogShare x

      Reply
      • Monika

        September 26, 2017 at 9:25 pm

        Thank you! I am impressed you make your own sauerkraut, I once tried but found that it takes too long to make and I don't like waiting for food:)

        Reply
    2. Shinta

      September 26, 2017 at 10:58 am

      I've never cooked with sauerkraut before, which is a shame as its so popular here in Switzerland. I am definitely going to give your recipe a try... it does sounds delicious. I can imagine how the prunes would lend a lovely sweetness. Thank you for sharing at Fiesta Friday, Monika!

      Reply
      • Monika

        September 26, 2017 at 11:02 am

        Thank you Shinta! Sauerkraut is not for every day but I get a craving for it every once in a while, especially when the weather gets colder.

        Reply
    3. Jhuls

      September 23, 2017 at 5:33 pm

      This sounds like a lovely dish! Thanks for sharing, Monika and happy Fiesta Friday!

      Reply
    4. goatsandgreens

      September 22, 2017 at 4:44 pm

      This looks lovely! I absolutely love sauerkraut in my mains! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!!!

      Reply
      • Monika

        September 22, 2017 at 4:48 pm

        Thank you! Happy FF:)

        Reply

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