Updated as of 2019! Same great recipe, new pictures to show just how dang good it is. We like to double the chicken to make it extra hearty- noted in the recipe! Enjoy!
I’ve had “white chicken chili” on my mind for some time now. It just feels like the lighter, fresher version of the usually tomato-based chili I already know and love- and it is good.
Once I got going with the recipe, though, I was inspired to put a “Beef Enchilada Bake” twist on it. So, I made the “white chili” base, and poured it over cauliflower rice, stirred in a few eggs, and baked it until it was thick, creamy, and perfect.
I’m so happy with how it turned out. It’s bursting with authentic Mexican-inspired flavors, but the casserole element gives it an American comfort food vibe.
I’m not sure how this looks to someone who hasn’t tried it. Maybe it looks delicious, or maybe not so appetizing? But let me tell you, it tastes 1000x better than it looks. And I think it looks really good.
I could seriously eat the entire thing… So it’s a good thing there’s Dathan, so I’m forced to share. 😉
Enjoy!!
White Chicken Chili Bake | PALEO, Keto, Whole30
Servings: 4
Calories: 260kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 red onion chopped
- 1 large carrot finely chopped
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 green bell pepper chopped
- 2 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 2 cups chicken broth*
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1 juice of lime plus more lime wedges for serving
- 1 1/2 tsp arrowroot flour*
- salt & pepper to taste
- 1-2 lbs skinless chicken (breasts, thighs, or rotisserie chicken), fully cooked and chopped or shredded
- 12 oz "riced" caulifower
- 3 eggs
Optional garnish: chopped cilantro, hot sauce, sliced avocado
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion, carrot, and garlic in avocado oil (or fat of choice) for about 5 minutes to soften. Add the bell pepper and spices & continue to cook for about 2 minutes, or until the spices are fragrant. Add the broth, coconut milk, & lime juice, and bring to a simmer. Stir in the arrowroot for added thickness. Add the shredded chicken, and season with salt & pepper to your taste preference.
- Drizzle the bottom of a 9 x 13” baking dish with avocado oil, to avoid sticking. Fill the bottom of the dish with riced cauliflower, then top with the chili mixture. Crack three eggs into the dish, and stir them in with a fork until the eggs are no longer visible.
- Transfer to the oven, and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until lightly browned around the edges. Allow it cool for a few minutes so it gets firm, then slice into squares & serve topped with cilantro, fresh lime, hot sauce, & avocado. Enjoy!
Notes
- If you don’t have arrowroot flour on hand, try substituting 1 Tbsp of coconut flour.
- I used the frozen riced cauliflower from Trader Joe’s. One bag is the perfect amount & it was so convenient!
Nutrition
Calories: 260kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 29g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 230mg | Sodium: 642mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 4g | Iron: 3mg
20 Comments
Anonymous
April 1, 2016 at 4:05 pmHey Jessie! This looks delicious. Quick question. I just discovered the frozen riced cauliflower from TJ's yesterday. Do you thaw it out first, or just throw it in frozen? I was worried about extra moisture. Thanks!
Jessie B
April 1, 2016 at 10:17 pmI just throw it in frozen! Hope you enjoy! 🙂
Lea Anne
November 7, 2016 at 9:40 amI'm making this tomorrow night, but I'm not clear on the mixing in of the eggs. Do you try to mix them into the white chili only, or do you mix the cauliflower rice in as well? Please clarify.
Jessie B
November 7, 2016 at 2:21 pmHi Lea Anne,
I mix them into everything. It doesn't have to be perfect~ the egg just helps things bind together a bit! I just crack them in, then mix in until you don't see them.
Lea Anne
November 7, 2016 at 5:28 pmThanks Jessie B. I'm hoping this will be the 2nd way I can enjoy cauliflower. The 1st is your recipe for paleo pizza bites. Those were a hit! We also enjoyed your BBQ bacon meatloaf and Cyispy green bean fries.
Anonymous
January 8, 2017 at 3:50 pmThink this would freeze ok?
Therese.A
June 12, 2017 at 4:34 pmI made this over the weekend for my family, and everyone really loved it, including a non-vegetable loving husband and my 5 and 2 year old. Really good, feels like comfort food, makes great leftovers, and will be a regular in our meal rotation. Thank you for a great recipe!
Anonymous
January 8, 2018 at 8:01 pmIs the coconut milk canned?
Anonymous
October 30, 2018 at 6:45 pmIs the coconut milk canned or carton? Making tonight
Jessie B
October 30, 2018 at 7:26 pmEither one will work! I typically use a carton from Thai Kitchen- ingredients are just coconut & water. 🙂
PattyMc
February 6, 2019 at 3:04 pmCould you use almond milk instead of coconut milk? Can you taste the coconut? Thanks!
Alissa Copeland
February 27, 2019 at 4:58 amHow do you think this would work with a different “riced” veg? I’m nursing and scared to eat cauliflower- I tried once and it was a rough night!
Jessie B
February 27, 2019 at 5:05 amAny riced veggie would work fine! Sweet potato or broccoli rice would work! Will just add a different flavor
Karen Posselt
March 3, 2019 at 4:10 amSounds so delicious! Thanks for the creative and healthy idea! I am always looking for new paleo and low-carb recipes. I post them on my site, too.
Britt
March 13, 2019 at 5:29 pmMade this last week and we loved it! We had just a little over a pound of chicken from the rotisserie chicken we used and that was a good amount. Subbed a large zucchini for the bell pepper and turned out nicely. I like lots of spice so next time I will double them. This would also make a great recipe for kids and you could hide some more veggies in it if you want to!
Niki
March 13, 2019 at 8:13 pmMade this today!!! So delicious!!! Thank you for all the wonderful recipes!!! 🙂
Alison McCormick
March 19, 2019 at 7:45 pmCould you freeze this??
JILL ZAHRA
March 10, 2021 at 4:50 amThank you! I have 3 picky teenagers who all liked this and said I should make again. Believe me, that is not usual! Either they have no comment or reasons not to make again. Used Green Giant riced cauliflower (340g) and chicken breast precooked in my Instant Pot with chicken broth and Italian seasoning, shredded (1.3 lbs) – drained. Chopped the onion, carrots and green pepper in my Ninja Professional Chopper so all were pretty fine. Added beaten eggs and mixed well as my son has an allergy to non-baked eggs – cooked for 45+ minutes.
It appears the chili mixture can be made ahead of time. Could the casserole be made ahead of time and just popped in the oven or do you think it could become soggy (used frozen rice cauli)?
Thanks again! 🙂
JILL ZAHRA
March 11, 2021 at 4:13 amThank you! I have 3 picky teenagers who all liked this and said I should make again. Believe me, that is not usual! Either they have no comment or reasons not to make again. Used Green Giant riced cauliflower (340g) and chicken breast precooked in my Instant Pot with chicken broth and Italian seasoning, shredded and drained (1.3 lbs). Chopped the onion, carrots and green pepper in my Ninja chopper so all were pretty fine.
It appears the chili mixture can be made ahead of time. Could the whole casserole be made ahead of time as well? I’m not sure because of the frozen cauliflower.
Thanks again! 🙂
Angela
October 21, 2022 at 3:39 amAdding this to the menu plan for next week.