Warm Hearth High Protein (Printable)
Hearty, comforting bake with lean protein, veggies, and grains for a nourishing meal.
# List of ingredients:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb skinless chicken breast, diced
02 - 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
03 - 1 cup canned white beans, drained and rinsed
→ Grains
04 - 3/4 cup cooked quinoa
→ Vegetables
05 - 1 medium onion, finely chopped
06 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
08 - 1 cup broccoli florets, chopped
09 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
→ Dairy
10 - 1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
11 - 1/4 cup low-fat milk
→ Spices & Seasonings
12 - 1 tsp dried thyme
13 - 1 tsp dried oregano
14 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
15 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
16 - 1/2 tsp salt
→ Oils
17 - 1 tbsp olive oil
# Steps:
01 - Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned and cooked through. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked chicken, cottage cheese, white beans, quinoa, onion, garlic, red bell pepper, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, half the cheddar cheese, milk, thyme, oregano, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
04 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish.
05 - Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
06 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the casserole is bubbling and golden on top.
07 - Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It sneaks vegetables into every bite without tasting like a sad diet meal.
- The cottage cheese melts into the casserole and adds creaminess you wouldnt expect.
- Leftovers taste even better the next day when the flavors have had time to settle.
02 -
- If you skip browning the chicken first, it can release too much liquid into the casserole and make it watery.
- Don't skip the resting time after baking or your first serving will be a soupy mess.
03 -
- Use rotisserie chicken to skip the browning step and save yourself ten minutes.
- If the top starts browning too fast, cover it loosely with foil for the last 15 minutes.