Whole 30 Whole30 Cauliflower Chicken Casserole
Comfort food casseroles are notoriously tricky to pull off without dairy, grains, or sneaky additives — but this one absolutely delivers. Juicy chicken thighs and tender cauliflower florets are bathed in a creamy, fragrant sauce built from full-fat coconut milk, chicken broth, and arrowroot starch, which thickens everything beautifully without a single grain of flour. Smoked paprika, garlic, dried thyme, and a pinch of red pepper flakes give the sauce real depth and a gentle kick that makes every bite feel intentional. The technique matters here too: searing the chicken first locks in flavor before everything goes into the oven together, so the final dish tastes like it took far more effort than it did. It all comes together in one oven-safe skillet, which means less cleanup and a satisfying serve-straight-from-the-pan moment. A scatter of fresh parsley at the end brightens the whole thing up and makes it look genuinely impressive at the table. Serves four, so it's just right for a weeknight family dinner or a round of satisfying leftovers.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
- 1 ½ lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium head cauliflower (about 1 ½ lb), cut into bite-sized florets
- 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
- 1 tsp salt, divided
- ½ tsp black pepper, divided
- 1 medium yellow onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can (13.5 oz) full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 tbsp arrowroot starch
For serving
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (205°C). Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
- 2
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken in a single layer and sear undisturbed for 3–4 minutes until the underside is golden and releases easily, then transfer to a plate. The chicken will not be cooked through at this stage.
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