Healthy Comfort Foods: Cozy Crockpot Chicken Casserole (GF/DF)

As soon as cooler weather hits, my tastebuds call for COZY, warming, rich, meals. Those comfort foods that my mom would make when I was a kid.

Did anyone else grow up with No-Peak-Chicken? It was a casserole with rice, cream of chicken soup, and chicken, all baked to a creamy warm perfection. Well, last week I wanted that. Except without the processed ingredients or the dairy. And I wanted to be able to do it in the crockpot. (Because hangry kiddos + mom trying to cook = disaster.)

So I came up with this recipe. It has a midwestern casserole vibe, with some subtle Jamaican undertones, and DEFINITELY hits the spot for cozy. Plus it's free of processed ingredients, dairy, and gluten.

This will definitely be on repeat at my house all the way until spring.

Healthy Chicken Crockpot Casserole

Ingredients:

• 2 cups brown rice

• 1/2 tbs healthy oil or fat (olive oil, butter, coconut oil, etc)

• 2 onions, diced

• 4 garlic cloves, crushed

• 2 tsp fresh ginger, grated

• 2 tsp salt

• 2 cans full-fat coconut milk

• 2 cups chicken broth or stock

• 2 tsp dried thyme

• 4lb chicken legs or thighs, bone in

Spice mix:

• 1.5 tsp onion powder

• 1.5 tsp garlic powder

• 1 tsp ground ginger

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 1/2tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

• 1 tsp cayenne (optional)

• 1 tsp salt, or more to taste

Instructions:

1. Saute onions with your oil or fat until translucent.

2. Add your garlic and ginger and stir for a minute or two until aromatic.

3. Rinse your rice thoroughly and put it in the crockpot with the broth, coconut milk, thyme, and salt. Stir in your onions, garlic and ginger.

4. Rub your spice mix on the chicken and layer it on top of the rice. It will sink into the liquid a bit - that's ok.

5. Cook on HIGH for 6 hours

6. Serve with chicken on top of the rice, or shredded and mixed into the rice for a more cozy, casserole feel. That's how my kiddos like it!

Notes:

1. Salt. I used broth with sodium in it, so if you use a no-sodium broth you will need to add more salt. I also used a lower level of salt in the chicken spice mix, so you may want to add more after trying it. Everyone has different salt preferences!

2. Chicken to rice ratio. The amount of chicken you put in this is completely up to you! (I would have preferred a bit more chicken, except I was worried my crockpot would run out of room!) If you tend to eat more protein and less carbs like me, you can also try halving everything in the recipe while keeping the same amount of chicken. Or, make a big batch of just the rice in the crockpot and bake a gigantic portion of chicken in the oven. Make this recipe your own!

3. Spice mix. The spice mix will likely make much more than you need, so keep the extra in a jar for next time.

4. Put a spin on it. Try adding some diced carrots to the pan when you're cooking the onions. Switch out the spice mix for something else you have in your cupboard. Stir in some cooked beans after everything is done to add some extra fiber. The sky is the limit!

   
   

Pull on a cozy sweater and enjoy this healthy chicken and rice casserole in a crockpot!

~ Sarah

What are your favorite healthy comfort foods? Tell us in the comments below!