Whether you're a Sands volunteer looking for a yummy dose of self-care, or you're looking to lend to hand to someone doing it tough, our hearty chicken casserole recipe is a great go-to for providing winter comfort.

Hearty Chicken Casserole

Ingredients

• knob of butter

• ½ tbsp olive oil

• 1 large onion, finely chopped

• 1 ½ tbsp flour

• 650g chicken thighs

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed

• 400g potatoes cut into 4 cm cubes

• 2 sticks celery, diced

• 2 carrots, diced

• 250g mushrooms, quartered

• 500ml stock made with 2 very low salt chicken stock cubes (or from the packet if it's easier)

• 2 tsp Dijon mustard, plus extra to serve. If you don’t have Dijon mustard use half as much of another type.

• 2 bay leaves

Method

1. Turn oven to 160 degrees

2. Heat a knob of butter and ½ tbsp olive oil in a large frying pan, cook 1 finely chopped large onion for 8-10 mins until softened and starting to caramelise

3. Meanwhile, put 1 ½ tbsp flour and a little salt and pepper in a bowl and toss 650g boneless, skinless chicken thigh fillets in it

4. Add 3 crushed garlic cloves and the chicken to the pan and cook for 4-5 mins more until the chicken is starting to brown

5. Transfer to your oven-proof casserole dish, along with 400g halved baby new potatoes, 2 diced celery sticks, 2 diced carrots, 250g quartered mushrooms, 500ml chicken stock, 2 tsp Dijon mustard and 2 bay leaves

6. Give it a good stir. Cook for 2 hrs then check it

7. Remove the bay leaves and serve with a little Dijon mustard on the side.