Most days I have the Food Network on the TV for background noise. Sometimes I pay attention, sometimes the fingerprints on the screen make it impossible for me to watch. One thing is for sure, my girl Ina doesn’t disappoint. Although this potato and fennel baked chicken casserole recipe is a Physical Kitchness original (sorry Ina), I did get the inspiration for a key ingredient Ina loves.
If you don’t know who Ina is, I suggest you Google it. Just type in “Ina”. She’s that amazing. Or try “Ina food” if you want to be specific. Better yet, “Ina black button-up shirt” – it’s her signature look. Kind of like my signature look is a a frizzy ponytail and hairy legs…
Anyway, Ina told me I needed to try fennel. Or at least I think that’s what I heard over loud shouts of “SSSS’TOP! S’TOP!”. Note – when you constantly tell your dog to stop barking, whining, or just stop being an annoyance, your toddler WILL mimic. And then you’re dog’s name will go from Spike, or Princess, or Bucca, to ‘STOP’. And every dog you pass on the sidewalk will consequently be ‘STOP’.
Long story short, I got me some fennel! And I’ll just throw this out there – it’s weird. What do I do with this bulb thing?! Here’s what I did – threw it in a big casserole dish with some fingerling potatoes, herbs, chicken, and an amazing olive oil/dijon/garlic blend, and executed the easiest dump and bake dinner ever known to man (even Ina).
The tangy and savory combo is seriously AMAZEBALLS. And the fennel adds a nice subtle sweetness. Your family will love this filling meal that took just minutes to prep and seconds to eat. It’s paleo and Whole30 compliant too.
To start, cut the top and bottom off of the fennel bulb and cut 2″ thick slices. Place the fennel in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish and add one pound of fingerling potatoes. If you can’t find fingerling potatoes, simply dice potatoes of choice into 1 – 2″ cubes. Lightly drizzle the fennel and potatoes with olive oil and add the dried oregano.
Next, place the chicken breasts on the fennel and potatoes, then spoon the olive oil/dijon/garlic mixture on top of each breast. Drizzle leftover mixture on the potatoes and fennel.
Bake at 375 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until chicken is cooked throughout and potatoes are soft.
Love easy, one-pot or slow cooker meals? Be sure to check out this One-Pot Quinoa and Enchilada Skillet with Avocado Cream, A1 Inspired Slow Cooker Beef Roast, or these Five Whoel30 Crockpot Meals in 5 Ingredients.
Time Saver Tip
Pre-slice the fennel and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also chop the potatoes (if you are not using fingerling) and store them in a bowl of water in the refrigerator before assembling (just make sure to dry thoroughly before adding them to the casserole dish). You can also combine the dijon, lime, garlic, salt, and olive oil and keep cold until ready to pour on the dish.
PrintPotato and Fennel Baked Chicken Casserole

- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 3–4 chicken breasts
- 1 pound fingerling potatoes (if you sub for another potato type – cut into 2″ cubes)
- 1 fennel bulb, cut into 2” thick slices
- 2 tablespoons olive oil + 1/4 cup olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- juice of 1/2 lime
- 2 minced garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon salt
- *optional: fresh parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven 375 degrees
- Cut the top and bottom off of the fennel bulb and cut into slices, about 2″ thick
- Place the fennel slices in the bottom of a 9×13 casserole dish and add the potatoes
- Lightly drizzle the fennel and potatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and add the dried oregano
- In a small bowl combine 1/4 cup olive oil, Dijon, lime juice, garlic, and salt
- Place the chicken breasts on top of the fennel and potatoes and spoon the olive oil/dijon/garlic mixture on top of each breast. Drizzle leftover mixture on the potatoes and fennel
- Bake at 375 degrees for 50-60 minutes, or until chicken is cooked throughout and potatoes are soft
- Garnish with fresh parsley

This looks so delicious! I also love Ina – her recipes really work, and they’re usually so easy. I also love fennel. My favorite way to eat it is raw, in a salad. I’ll have to try this dish because it sounds delicious roasted!
She’s amazing. You totally hit the nail on the head – yummy recipes that work and that are easy. I’ve never tried raw fennel. I’m on it!! Thanks Aida!
If i’m going to eat fennel, it must be roasted so it’s nice and creamy like! So this chicken…total perfect!!!
Seriously so spot on! It’s just decadent. Everything just works in this dish, ya know? Isn’t it the best when that happens?!
LOVEEE this. I seriously need to get better about making these kinds of dishes! Minimal ingredients, healthy, easy…. My hubs would love this I’m pretty sure 🙂
Ha I say the same thing to myself every time I got to your site – “I NEED more healthy and easy sweets and treats”! So funny. YES my hubby loved it (and he is my harshest critic)….
There is nothing better than chicken and potatoes for dinner, nothing! Love the addition of fennel to this simple and tasty meal!
So true! It’s hearty and filling. Something my husband often requests. Thanks Rachel!
Hah! I can totally relate to the fingerprints on the tv, the toddler mimicking, and the confusion about fennel! I’ve definitely never cooked with it, but I do like the taste. Your recipe looks delicious — I’m sure Ina would approve. 🙂
If anyone knows it, it’s YOU! Can you imagine if Ina approved one of our recipes? I think I’d pee my pants!!! LOL!
I LOVE fennel so much and this looks like a perfect way to enjoy it! YUM!
My personal motto is roasting any vegetable just makes it BETTER. Thanks so much Diana!
I finally started liking fennel a few years back and now I absolutely love it! I make a roasted chicken dish with fennel too, but very different flavor profile than yours. Can’t wait to try this!
AH! Great minds think alike. Chicken and fennel go together like peas and carrots. Enjoy Jessica!
This looks absolutely magical! I need to have this for dinner. (licks lips) 😉
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When it’s this easy, magical is definitely the right term! *smack smack. Thanks Charissa!
This dish sounds amazing! Such a great comforting dinner 🙂
Thanks Rachel! Yes totally comforting and hearty (yet healthy)!
OMG this looks so good. I have never even heard of fennels but this looks like an easy, healthy, and delicious recipe. Thanks you for sharing. Also I love your witty writing style and sleek blog aesthetic, you’re def created the right UX for me so I want to come back and read more!
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Ahhh you just made my day! Thank you so much! I certainly DO hope you are back, often 😉 Thanks so much!
I’ve been looking for new chicken recipes and this looks delish!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
Thanks Greta! Hope this helps you mix it up with the traditional chicken dinner!
I get pregnancy-like cravings for chicken.
I am not pregnant.
I just love me some FOOD! lol
LOL! I know very few pregnant women that crave chicken (but a lot of pregnant woman that can’t do chicken when pregnant). Ah someday you will know Gigi! 😉
I saw the same show feature this dish. Simple to make and I like the way you changed it up.
Ahhhh an Ina fan after my own heart!
This looks so great! I love watching her on T.V. she is a fabulous chief. I haven’t really cooked much with fennel. Even though I have a full dry bottle of fennel in my pantry. Maybe it’s time to take it out and see what I can come up with too.
She’s just fab. No doubt about it! I’m actually watching her as we speak! A dry bottle of fennel? I’m super intrigued – actually never heard of that??
This looks amazing. I love fennel. Fennel is one of those veggies I hadn’t used until I was introduced to it in my CSA basket. I thought the same thing as you, what do I do with that bulb thing. Luckily the farm adds recipes to each basket so I tried it roasted for the first time. It is surprisingly awesome. Thanks for sharing, another recipe to try out!
I love getting those baskets! I totally dig the challenge of getting some random veggie and finding a recipe I can make with it (either via Pinterest or via my crazy mind). Isn’t fennel amazing when roasted?!
Potato & fennel are a FANTASTIC combination! Super yummy!!!
Agreed! And the dijon/olive oil dressing is such a subtle yet tangy way to combine all that goodness!
This is my idea of a perfect dinner!
Me too! My husband agreed as well. WINNING!!
I only tried fennel a couple of times a few years ago, but this looks sooo delicious that I must try it! I had to pin it as well – thank you! 🙂
This was my FIRST time. Kinda scary to use an ingredient you’ve never touched before, but now I’m 100% obsessed. Thank YOU Noemi!
Yum this looks so good! What do you use to get the the recipe format with the star ratings?
Thanks Brittany! I use the Easy Recipe plugin! Works like a charm.
I love watching the Food Network! I don’t think I take enough pointers from it as I should, though. I’m always looking for new, delicious and easy ways of cooking chicken, and this recipe looks great. I get tired of eating the same old thing, the same old way, all the time.
It’s a fabulous place to watch for inspiration! This recipe certainly EASY! I hope your family loves it as much as mine does Danielle!
Everything Ina makes = gold.
Ina has never, ever, let me down!
SO SPOT ON! Ina never disappoints!
Okay, this seriously looks like the most gourmet meal, ever! I used to be an Ina hater, I ashamedly admit (I thought her recipes were “too complicated” and “fancy”). Buuuut I have one of her cookbooks, and LOVE her recipes, and..HER!!
Thank you so much Jess! I will admit, sometimes Ina is kinda fancy. Her desserts I don’t touch. But sometimes she’s got some simple dishes that are great. I’m so glad you’ve converted. PHEW! 😉
My hubs loves fennel and has me put it in everything I can! There are definitely not enough fennel recipes out there! This chicken recipe looks wonderful and I will for sure be making it soon! Thank you for sharing!
Fennel seems so exclusive – not many people use it as a cooking staple. You guys are ahead of you class! I hope you and the hubby love this recipe Ashleigh!
I just pinned this, but I keep looking at this recipe and just drooling…and drooling. It looks so easy and yet it seriously looks like the most delicious thing I have ever seen in my life!!
Oh my gosh in your life?! That is like, the BOMB compliment for food bloggers! Thanks so much Autumn. I can’t wait for you to try it!
Love anything fennel! Ina never lies.
Queen Ina knows her stuff! Thanks Chelsea!
Ina is my spirit animal! Haha! This sounds wonderful!
Can I be Ina, but looks like Giada? Perfect. Hehehe. Thanks Leah!
As usual….PINNING. #PerfectRecipeMakerFreakshow xoxo
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PIN LOVE is my favorite love! Thank you Heather! #ilovepinningfreakslikeme
OMgosh! My mouth is watering. Your gorgeous photos really make your recipes come alive. I’ll be pinning this recipe to Pinterest so I’ll have it handy for next week. I know my family will love your Potato and Fennel Baked Chicken. Thank you for sharing it! 🙂
Thank you so much Denay! As you know, food photography is a beast, so that truly means a lot! I hope your family DOES love this as much as mine does!
I started using fennel recently and it’s SO good! This looks so good and easy, and totally adding it to the menu for the weekend – thanks for the idea!
Also, STOP is a big theme in my house too…… 🙂
It’s SO good. Like, where have you been all my life?! On a side note, STOP is a lot better than another 4-letter word that starts with an S, so we’ve got that going for us, right Jess?
I always enjoy one dish meals! Yum!
ME TOO! I like easy. So dump and bake is my jam. Thanks Bella!
Delicious. Delicious on my table on my fork right now. Thanks, Chrissa!
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AH YAY! This makes me sooo happy! Thanks Matthea – glad it got your stamp of approval!
And also the husband’s! He is remarkably picky so I know he’s good with a dish when he chooses the leftovers ❤️ for lunch!
SCORE!!!! My hubby is SO picky too. So when he likes something, I KNOW it’s blog-worthy. Thank you dear friend!
Is there a substitute for the fennel bulb? I can’t seem to find it in my grocery stores (So Cal) or is it seasonal?
Hmmm good question! I’m in SoCal too! Is it not at your local Trader Joes? That’s where I found it. Fennel has SUCH a distinct flavor, it would be hard to substitute. But when I called on my trusty friend Google, I was told a combo of celery and a regular yellow onion could work. Although you won’t get the same flavor – but probably similar texture. I hope you can find some fennel SOMEWHERE Aimee! Keep me posted 😉
Making this tonight for dinner, thank you!! Running out of ideas of healthy meals. I will be adding broccoli too, as I am pretty sure my teenage boys will not eat fennel. I love it!
Great idea Gayle!
Oh my goodness! I made this recipe tonight and it was a HUGE hit! My husband (who eats like a 12 year old i.e. pizza rolls and chicken nuggets) is trying to be supportive of my first Whole30 and this was one of the recipes I chose to try out. Neither of us had ever had fennel before and we were both pleasantly surprised by how much we liked it! Thanks for this super easy and tasty recipe!
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Are our husbands related?! LOL. Glad it was a hit!