Chilly Breeze Low Carb Bake (Printable)
Tender chicken, fresh vegetables, and creamy cheese sauce combine for a comforting low-carb dish.
# List of ingredients:
→ Protein
01 - 1.1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, diced
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium head broccoli, cut into florets
03 - 1 medium zucchini, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Sauce & Dairy
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
07 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
08 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
09 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 tsp dried thyme
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Topping
14 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium-sized baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
02 - Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced chicken and cook until no longer pink, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant. Add broccoli florets, diced zucchini, and red bell pepper. Cook for 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.
04 - In a mixing bowl, whisk together heavy cream, softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, grated Parmesan, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.
05 - Combine cooked chicken, sautéed vegetables, and cream sauce in the prepared baking dish. Mix thoroughly to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated.
06 - Transfer to the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the top is golden brown.
07 - Remove from oven and sprinkle with chopped fresh parsley before serving, if desired. Serve hot alongside a simple green salad.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The creamy cheese sauce somehow feels indulgent while keeping carbs remarkably low
- Everything cooks in one dish so cleanup is almost nonexistent
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day
02 -
- Don't skip softening the cream cheese first or your sauce will have stubborn lumps that won't dissolve
- The vegetables will release some moisture in the oven, so the sauce might look thinner than when it went in
- Letting it rest for 5 minutes after baking helps the sauce set slightly and makes serving cleaner
03 -
- Grate your own cheese instead of buying pre-shredded for a smoother sauce that melts better
- Cut all your vegetables to roughly the same size so they finish cooking at the same time