Meal Prep: Broccoli Chicken Ranch Casserole

Make once & enjoy for the week

I love having a fresh, home cooked meal every day, but some weeks are just too busy. This is a great dish to make as meal prep for the week, or family dinners!

Here's my healthy take on a broccoli-chicken ranch casserole. No heavy creams are used for this dish, only cheese if you want it. If you're on a paleo or whole 30 diet, feel free the omit the cheese & you can sub with nutritional yeast instead. You get creaminess from a cauliflower puree instead of milk products. It tastes way better in my opinion & won't wreak havoc on your stomach (you're welcome).

I hope you enjoy this as much as I do! Happy cooking & stay nashful!

ranch seasoning

3 tbsp onion powder
2 tbsp garlic powder
2 tsp salt
1/2 - 1 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp freeze-dried dill (can sub with dried dill)
1 tbsp dried parsley

Combine the above ingredients & shake!

You'll have some leftover to use for other dishes...hello, crispy ranch potatoes!

whole 30 mayo

1 egg
2 tbsp + 3/4-1 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 heaping tsp dijon mustard
1 tbsp vinegar
1/2 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic

for the casserole (makes 6-8 servings)

5-6 strips thick-cut bacon
4 large chicken breasts
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp + 4 tbsp ranch seasoning
3 tbsp whole 30 mayo
1 head of cauliflower, halved
1-1/2 lb broccoli florets
one 10 oz pkg frozen spinach
one 14 oz can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
7 oz shredded Colby Jack (omit if you are doing paleo/whole 30)

let's get cooking

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
Coat the chicken breasts with 1 tbsp olive oil & 1 tbsp ranch seasoning.
Bake the chicken for 30 minutes, or until internal temperature reaches 165 degrees.
While the chicken is baking, place bacon & cauliflower (cute side down) on a lined baking sheet and bake for 35-40 minutes.
Remove the chicken from the oven, then cut into 1/2 inch cubes.
Remove bacon from the oven, place on a paper towel to drain excess oil, then chop into very small pieces.
Place the cauliflower in a blender with lemon juice, mayo, & ranch seasoning, & blend until smooth.
In a very large mixing bowl, add the chicken, broccoli, then toss with the cauliflower mixture.
Spread the casserole mixture into an even layer in a baking dish (I needed to use 2 baking sheets).
Top with shredded Colby Jack (omit if whole 30/paleo & crumbled bacon, then bake for 40 minutes at 250 degrees.