Winter Wellness Low Carb (Printable)
A hearty winter stew packed with lean protein and fresh winter vegetables for a wholesome meal.
# List of ingredients:
→ Proteins
01 - 1.1 pounds skinless chicken breast or turkey breast, diced
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 medium onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 2 medium celery stalks, sliced
05 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
06 - 1 small rutabaga or turnip, peeled and cubed
07 - 7 ounces cauliflower florets
08 - 3.5 ounces kale or spinach, chopped
→ Liquids
09 - 4.2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
→ Seasonings
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
11 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
12 - 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
13 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
14 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt or to taste
15 - 1 bay leaf
→ Optional Garnishes
16 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
17 - Lemon wedges, for serving
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic; sauté for 2-3 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
02 - Add diced chicken or turkey breast to the pot. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until just browned on all sides, approximately 5 minutes.
03 - Stir in sliced celery, carrots, cubed rutabaga or turnip, and cauliflower florets. Cook for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally to coat with rendered fat.
04 - Pour in low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth. Add dried thyme, rosemary, and bay leaf. Bring mixture to a gentle boil.
05 - Reduce heat to low, cover pot, and simmer for 25-30 minutes. Cook until vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Stir in chopped kale or spinach. Cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until greens are wilted and tender. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
07 - Remove and discard bay leaf. Ladle hot stew into serving bowls. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve with lemon wedges if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- You get that deep comfort food satisfaction without the carb crash that leaves you hungry an hour later
- It freezes beautifully so you can stash portions for those days when cooking feels impossible
- The vegetable ratio keeps you genuinely full while feeling light enough to eat anytime
02 -
- I once forgot to remove the bay leaf and someone bit into it, now I triple check before serving
- The rutabaga needs time to fully tenderize, do not rush the simmer or you will have hard chunks in an otherwise perfect bowl
- Adding the greens at the very last minute prevents them from turning that sad army green color
03 -
- Cut all vegetables roughly the same size so everything finishes cooking at the same time
- Let the stew cool completely before freezing to prevent ice crystals from forming