Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Chicken & Merguez Stew

When you’re craving something hearty, bold, and full of Mediterranean soul, this Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Chicken & Merguez Stew absolutely delivers. It’s rich, rustic, and deeply flavorful, with tender chicken, spicy sausage, sweet onions, and creamy beans all cooked in one pot. I made it on a cool evening and couldn’t believe how much flavor came from just five ingredients. (inspired by Jamie Oliver)

Ingredients Needed

• 4 onions, peeled and sliced
• 5 Merguez sausages (300g)
• 1 x 1.2kg whole chicken, cut into pieces
• 12 fresh bay leaves
• 2 x 400g tins of mixed beans

How To Make Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Chicken & Merguez Stew

1. Cook the Onions and Sausage:
   Start by slicing the onions and heating a tablespoon of olive oil in a large casserole pan over medium heat. Squeeze the meat from one sausage directly into the pan—this becomes your flavor base. Fry for about 20 minutes, stirring often and breaking it up as it cooks until it becomes beautifully golden and caramelized.
2. Prepare the Chicken:
   Cut your whole chicken into pieces—legs into thighs and drumsticks, wings off, breasts into quarters. If that feels a bit much, just ask your butcher to do it for you. It’s a traditional, budget-friendly way to make a hearty stew.
3. Make the Bay Leaf Marinade:
   Strip the leaves from 8 of the bay leaves, bash them with a pinch of sea salt in a pestle and mortar, then mix with a tablespoon each of red wine vinegar and extra virgin olive oil. Rub half this punchy marinade all over the chicken pieces.
4. Brown the Sausages and Chicken:
   Heat another tablespoon of olive oil in a separate pan. Brown the remaining whole sausages and chicken thighs, drumsticks, and wings over medium-high heat until golden all over. Transfer to the casserole pan. Brown the breast pieces skin side down for 3 minutes, then add them in as well.
5. Finish the Stew:
   Drain one tin of beans and add both tins (one with juice, one without) to the casserole along with the remaining whole bay leaves. Give it all a gentle stir. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover with a lid, and cook for 30 minutes. The chicken should be perfectly tender by the end. Drizzle over the rest of your bay leaf marinade before serving.

Why I Love This Recipe

This is one of those dishes that tastes like you’ve been cooking it all day. The merguez sausages bring smoky spice, and the fresh bay leaf marinade is surprisingly aromatic and complex. Everything simmers together into a one-pot wonder that’s deeply comforting without being heavy.

Recipe Tips

• Get your butcher to cut the chicken. It’s quicker and cleaner—and they’ll usually do it for free.
• Brown everything well. It might take a few extra minutes, but this is where all the flavor develops.
• Use fresh bay leaves. They’re more vibrant and aromatic than dried and make a big difference in this stew.
• Add harissa if you like heat. A little spoonful in the sausage step gives the dish a fiery North African edge.
• Go slow with the stew. Keep the heat gentle so the chicken stays juicy and tender.

How To Store 5 Ingredients Chicken & Merguez Stew

• In the Fridge: Let the stew cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. It actually gets better the next day.
• Freezing: Freeze in portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
• Reheating: Warm gently in a pot over medium heat for 10 minutes or so. Add a splash of water or broth if it thickens too much.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What can I use instead of merguez?
  Chorizo or spicy Italian sausage will work well if you can’t find merguez.
• Can I use just chicken thighs?
  Absolutely. Thighs are full of flavor and don’t dry out easily—perfect for stews.
• What beans are best?
  Any mixed beans will do. If you don’t have tins, use cooked cannellini or chickpeas.
• Can I make this in a slow cooker?
  Yes! Brown everything first, then slow-cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
• Is this dish spicy?
  Merguez sausage has a bit of kick, but it’s not overly spicy. Add harissa if you want more heat.

Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 644 kcal
• Fat: 23.6g
• Saturated Fat: 6.9g
• Protein: 69.4g
• Carbohydrates: 39.1g
• Sugars: 14.3g
• Salt: 2g
• Fiber: 10.7g

Try More Jamie Oliver 5 Ingredients Recipes:

• 5 Ingredients Lemon-tzatziki Chicken
• 5 Ingredients Garlic Chicken
• 5 Ingredients Chicken Pie
• 5 Ingredients Roast Chicken