Deliciously Organic

Organic, Grain Free, Gluten Free, Paleo Recipes and Thyroid Health

Chicken and “Rice” Casserole

Cauliflower is the superstar of this chicken and rice casserole. Pulsed in the food processor until it’s the size of rice, it brings the onion, bacon, mushrooms and chicken together to form a great comfort meal.

Sometimes it’s nice to go back to the basics. Chicken and rice – we’ve all had it in some form or fashion. When I was a kid, it was white rice mixed with cream of mushroom soup and shredded chicken. It showed up at just about every pot luck and there’s just something warm and comforting about a basic casserole.

Cauliflower is the superstar of this dish. Pulsed in the food processor until it’s the size of rice, it brings the onion, bacon, mushrooms and chicken together to form a great comfort meal.

Cauliflower is the superstar of this chicken and rice casserole. Pulsed in the food processor until it’s the size of rice, it brings the onion, bacon, mushrooms and chicken together to form a great comfort meal.

While we’re on the topic of going back to the basics, I recently discovered La Chamba cookware. This extremely durable clay cookware/bakeware brings centuries of tradition to your kitchen. I’m shocked at their versatility – use them on the stove top, in the oven, on a gas or charcoal grill, even wood-fired ovens or over an open fire!

Sustaining Cultures asked me if I would tell you about their clay bakeware, and when I opened the box of dishes they sent, I was amazed at how gorgeous the pieces are. Truly! I left them on the counter for a few days so I could gaze at them when I walked by. If you’re looking for some beautiful cookware or bakeware for your kitchen that’s made with safe materials, this is a great option. Any of their pieces would make a lovely gift.

clay cookware

Sustaining Cultures is a non-profit organization and member of the Fair Trade Federation  as well as Green America’s Green Business Network. They do things the right way. They were kind enough to offer a 10% discount on all products from today, April 12th through June 15th. To receive the discount use the code: SCLCDO2013. They also offered to give one lucky Deliciously Organic reader four of their oval casserole dishes. Read the instructions below to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Serves 8

Chicken and “Rice” Casserole (Grain-Free)

If your bacon is relatively lean, you may want to add a tablespoon or two of butter when you add the cauliflower to the pan (remember, it’s good to eat saturated fats with your vegetables so the body can assimilate the fat soluble nutrients. For those who follow a dairy free or Paleo diet, I know the cashew “cheese” sounds a bit odd, but trust me - it’s fantastic!

Save RecipeSave Recipe

Ingredients

  • 4 pieces bacon, chopped
  • 1 large yellow onion, chopped
  • 12 ounces button mushrooms, chopped
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Celtic sea salt
  • 1 large head cauliflower, “riced”*
  • 1 1/2 pounds cooked chicken, shredded
  • 1/2 cup sour cream (or for dairy free, Gaps or Paleo use cashew “cheese” )
  • 1 cup raw cheddar (omit for dairy free, Gaps, Paleo)
  • 4 green onions, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook until crispy. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan leaving the bacon drippings in the pan. Add onions and mushrooms to the bacon drippings and cook, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until mushrooms have released their moisture and are just turning golden brown on the edges. Make a well in the center of the pan and add the thyme and salt. Stir in the center of the pan until fragrant, about 45 seconds. Add cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add chicken, cooked bacon and sour cream (or cashew cheese) then stir until combined. Season with sea salt to taste. Pour mixture into an 11 x 7 - inch buttered dish (or individual dishes as pictured above). If using cheese, sprinkle with cheese and bake for 20 minutes or so until top is just turning golden brown. Sprinkle with green onions. Serve hot.
  2. *To rice the cauliflower - Cut the cauliflower into large pieces (about 2-inch). Place in a food processor and pulse for 7-8 one-second pulses until the size of rice. Click here to see a photo .
7.8.1.2
3147
https://deliciouslyorganic.net/chicken-and-rice-casserole/

Posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase a product through an affiliate link, your costs will be the same but Deliciously Organic will receive a small commission. This helps cover some of the costs for this site. We appreciate your support!

//

Did you enjoy this post?

Sign up for FREE updates!

Receive my "Top 50 Tips to Help Heal Your Thyroid" when you subscribe!

You may also enjoy these posts

Easy Blender Blueberry Pancake Muffins (Paleo, Grain-Free)Sheet Pan Chicken Meatballs with Broccoli (Grain-Free, Paleo)Morning Glory Muffins (Grain-Free, Paleo)

273 Comments

  15. Kymber

    April 12, 2013 at 9:57 am

    I LOVE casseroles as they are usually easy and filling. BUT with my changes in eating habits (eating REAL food not "cream of gunk"), I'm struggling with making them. THX for posting this one...going to try it!
    Reply to this comment

  18. Stacie

    April 12, 2013 at 9:58 am

    My favorite casserole, probably because it is so simple, is Poppyseed chicken. However now that I am discovering how to eat without processed and refined foods I am sure I will have a new one very, very soon! Thanks for the giveaway! The dishes are beautiful!
    Reply to this comment

  26. Dana Olson

    April 12, 2013 at 10:10 am

    These bowls are awesome!! I still go to my dads recipe of potato and ham casserole. Every time I make it for my family I make it the same way he did, layer by layer - and it always make me think of him.
    Reply to this comment

  29. Toni Rinehart

    April 12, 2013 at 10:16 am

    Just made your fried "rice" the other night and LOVED it! Can't wait to try this recipe as well, as this has always been a favorite casserole of mine and can't wait to make it in this grain free way!
    Reply to this comment

  42. Carrie

    April 12, 2013 at 11:10 am

    I've tried to add cauliflower to meals in many different ways, but it never wins over my kids or husband! I'm not going to give up though! I'm going to try this one soon :) Our favorite casserole is a Mexican lasagna. We use ground chicken, homemade tortillas and other fresh ingredients. Super yummy.
    Reply to this comment

  60. Gia

    April 12, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    This looks fantastic - can't wait to try! I have two favorite casseroles. The first is a bagel casserole (with tomatoes, cream cheese and red onion - yum!) and the second is a cheese enchilada casserole. Now I'm getting hungry and it's only 4:00.
    Reply to this comment

  62. Maria

    April 12, 2013 at 1:02 pm

    As a child I didn't have many casseroles, unless you count lasagna as a casserole! But I went to a paleo potluck a while back and a woman brought spaghetti squash sausage kale casserole which was out of this world.
    Reply to this comment

  65. Christy

    April 12, 2013 at 1:26 pm

    Turning cauliflower into rice is such a neat idea! I like leftover casseroles- any veggies, pasta and cheese sitting in the fridge gets thrown together with some sauce and baked up- yum!
    Reply to this comment

  89. robyn

    April 12, 2013 at 5:39 pm

    I used to love anything with pasta but now I don't eat pasta so....I can't say I have a favorite. But I need to find one. I love the convenience of a casserole. Thanks for the chance to win!
    Reply to this comment

  95. Gail

    April 12, 2013 at 8:13 pm

    I'm a lasagna lover, but rarely have it cause I know its not too good for you (now there's a challenge for you!) This chicken & cauliflower recipe looks awesome. I think I have all the ingredients so there's no excuse...I have to make it soon! Beautiful cookware too. Would make a perfect gift for my sister!!!Hugs, Gail
    Reply to this comment

  110. Karen

    April 13, 2013 at 9:17 am

    Our family loves chicken and rice casseroles, I don't know why I never thought to make it grain free with cauliflower and BACON, yum! I guess that's why I depend on your site so much :o). Can't wait to try it out on the family!
    Reply to this comment

  115. Melissa

    April 13, 2013 at 3:06 pm

    My favorite casserole is sour cream scalloped potatoes made with the yucky cream of chicken soup. I haven't made it in forever, but I am excited to try making a "real food" version of it one of these days!
    Reply to this comment

  116. Amber

    April 13, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    We tried your chicken and rice casserole tonight and LOVED it. My family has recently switched to a mostly Paleo diet and your website has been very helpful. Thank you! Keep up the good work!
    Reply to this comment

  119. Katrin - therawfoodsisters.com

    April 14, 2013 at 12:42 am

    We are two sisters who made the transition to a RAW VEGAN Lifestyle in January and in the same time making conscious decicion about what we are feeding and putting on our bodies in all aspects. Not only food but also all the Chemicals around us. Your blog is Amazing, eventhough we are not eating non raw food BUT you are giving great inputs regarding a toxic-free-life and that is Amazing! Keep doing what you are doing. You have inspired us a lot!!! Hugs from Amsterdam
    Reply to this comment

  159. Angela Arnall

    April 15, 2013 at 10:59 am

    My favorite casserole - which may not necessarily be a casserole is chicken pot pie.... Yummy!!! The warm flaky crust, moist chicken and vegetables in a gravy like sauce. Delicious
    Reply to this comment

  172. Kate B.

    April 15, 2013 at 11:51 am

    Favorite casserole used to be breakfast casserole, with lots of sausage and cheese. Now we've switched to a 95% plant-based diet, and we haven't tried many casseroles, yet...will have to explore the possibilities! Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
    Reply to this comment

  179. Linda

    April 15, 2013 at 12:44 pm

    My favorites are chicken broccoli and lasagna. We are removing grains from our diet right now, so I will be trying out this casserole. I've not seen this cookware before but will be checking it out. The versatility sounds wonderful!
    Reply to this comment

  186. Carol L

    April 15, 2013 at 1:24 pm

    Oh this looks yummy and one recipe I must try! My favorite casserole is one I seldom make anymore. Good old tuna and noodles with something green mixed in :) Peppers, peas, broccoli, asparagus - as long as it's green it tastes good :)
    Reply to this comment

  193. texasmomma3

    April 15, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Carrie, Thanks so much for your delicious and practical recipes! We love them! This was great. Everyone loved it, even my oldest who loathes cauliflower!:) You are such a blessing to everyone trying to eat healthy and yet cook foods that are familiar and easy.
    Reply to this comment

  197. Rebecca L.

    April 15, 2013 at 3:56 pm

    This sounds amazing! My husband loves cauliflower! My favorite casserole is either scalloped potatoes with ham or hash brown casserole. I would love to see more casserole recipes.
    Reply to this comment

  213. Dawn Davenport

    April 15, 2013 at 11:58 pm

    My favorite casserole would have to be some sort of enchilada or Mexican food inspired dish. Love casseroles, but I def find them hard to squeeze into a no-grain diet. Thanks for the recipe you posted!
    Reply to this comment

  219. Sheila H.

    April 16, 2013 at 8:12 am

    This recipe is soooo good. My kids devoured it and were thinking of other casserole possibilities to emulate chicken and rice based dishes from our past. I steamed the cauliflower then shredded it with the disc of my food processor. I didn't use the cheese on top but just enjoyed the creamy, bacon flavored goodness of this dish. Thanks for sharing!
    Reply to this comment

  234. Kathy

    April 16, 2013 at 10:45 pm

    This casserole recipe sounds wonderful for the rainy cold Pacific Northwest region! I've been whipping cauliflower to substitute for mashed potatoes for a while and my kids almost prefer it to regular potatoes. Another casserole/side dish we enjoy is roasted red peppers, diced over spaghetti squash and tossed with olive oil, garlic and other Italian seasonings... a glass of wine.... topped with parma cheese....mmmmm, delicious! This cookware looks wonderful and reminds me of the types of casserole cookware found in the French countryside! I would love to experiment cooking and baking with them!
    Reply to this comment

  241. Anastacia

    April 22, 2013 at 10:06 am

    Hi!I'm making this yummy dish for dinner but I wasn't sure if I add the bacon back in at some point or not. It doesn't say in the recipe so is the bacon only needed for the drippings?Thanks!! :)
    Reply to this comment

  242. Kylie D

    April 23, 2013 at 12:13 pm

    Very delicious! I left out the onion, added garlic. Used 3/4 C (dry measurement) rice instead of cauliflower. 1 small container of yogurt instead of sour cream and cooked it only in the skillet. I will be making this again very soon!! Thanks so much for creating yummy recipes :)
    Reply to this comment

  243. Shannon

    May 1, 2013 at 4:17 pm

    I made this tonight. My 8 1/2 year old was giving me fist pumps all through dinner telling me this is his favorite recipe I've ever made. It did take some time to prepare, but it'll be one I make again! The kids don't like mushrooms, unfortunately so I dumped in a bunch of peas. Makes a lot so we'll have leftovers tomorrow night. Win!
    Reply to this comment

  244. Kaylin

    May 6, 2013 at 5:37 pm

    Am I crazy or is there no step to add the bacon to the recipe? Are you just making the bacon to render out the fat for cooking the mushrooms? I'm sick and a little extra tired, so maybe I'm missing it! I swear I read the recipe four extra times just in case!
    Reply to this comment

  246. Julie

    February 4, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    Hi! I am wondering if this casserole would hold up as a freezer meal? I use cauliflower in place of many things, rice, potatoes, macaroni, etc. but have never tried preparing and freezing anything using it. I'm curious if you have and how did it work out? This casserole looks delicious and we will be trying it out soon!
    Reply to this comment

  247. Jessica

    May 27, 2015 at 10:44 am

    I've never actually left a review on a blog before but this recipe necessitated a comment. I've challenged myself to a 30 day grain free challenge to see if I can clear up some of my physical maladies. I've been stumped during meal planning. Your website has been a tremendous help and this recipe was not only delicious but relatively easy. My husband (who is not trying a grain free challenge) said it was great and he just felt good eating it. Thank you.
    Reply to this comment

Trackbacks

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *