Pages

Monday, October 17, 2011

Paleo Pumpkin Cream Chicken Casserole

Let's chat. Laura and I are sitting on the couch right now, watching 'What Happens in Vegas' while she sings a random tune and makes random noises. She's delirious. Maybe because we slept around 3 hours at Saturday night. Holy balls, I love Laura.

Saturday night was a success. We hung out with some cool dudes from CrossFit Broadway, specifically the coolest, our friend Maximo. He was, as always, the kindest man ever and a BLAST. We started our night off at Max's friends apartment for some wine. Everyone at his place would get their nose as deep as they could into their wine glass and take in the fumes. I personally think wine tastes like rancid beets so I stayed away and got right to the point. Vodka. Vodka sodas with lime is my drink of choice. And my choice was a good one. We then headed to Blake Street Vault and The Drink, where dancing unfolded and sweaty hair ensued. It was a short night out, but sh*t got really exciting afterwards when we got back to our friend's house...and...I fell asleep on the couch, sitting up, drooling on myself. I felt super cool when I woke up the next morning, still on the couch, feet swelling in my boots, and a picture of myself sleeping as the background on my phone. Thanks Max. I really appreciate it. Man, I'm classy. Thankfully Laura was right there, ready to start the day with Kaladi coffee. We totally looked like we were doing the walk of shame....or going to church, since someone at the coffee shop asked if we were. Little did they know. Ha. The rest of the day was filled with movies about love. 27 dresses and The Proposal. Holy crap I want to marry the dude in 27 dresses. Laura wants to marry Jude Law. Who do you want to marry? If you say Johnny Depp or Brad Pitt, you're dumb. And unoriginal.


Anywho, this recipe tastes delicious. Laura and Jason both tasted it and gave me the thumbs up. Although, Laura did not know there was cauliflower in the mix and thought it was really disgusting chicken. She's slow at times. Give her a break.

What you need:
  • 1-1.5 lbs chicken breasts, chopped into 1 inch cubes
  • 1 medium sized spaghetti squash (I don't weigh that sh*t), cooked and shredded
  • 1 head cauliflower, chopped
  • 1 can pumpkin puree
  • 1/2 can canned coconut milk
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder 
  • 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
  • salt and pepper, to taste


What you do:
  1. Preheat your oven to 425 degrees.
  2. Time to roast our veggggggies! Chop your cauliflower and put it in a baking dish topped with a little bit of olive oil and salt and pepper. Then cut your spaghetti squash in half, use a spoon to scoop out the seeds and extra threads, place face down on a baking pan. Add the cauliflower and spaghetti squash to the oven, side by side if possible, to roast for around 25 minutes. (Depending how big your spaghetti squash is, the cauliflower made roast a little quicker, but mine cooked at the same time) You will know your spaghetti squash is cooked when you can poke the outside skin and it gives a bit.
  3. While the squash and cauliflower are cooking, it's time to cook up your chicken. Pull out either a LARGE saucepan or a large pot and put under medium-high heat.
  4. Add olive oil to it along with your minced garlic. Once the garlic begins to smell, add your chopped onions and cook until translucent.
  5. Add your chopped chicken to the cooking onions, cover and let steam for around 5 minutes. 
  6. Once the chicken is about 2/3 cooked through, add your can of pumpkin, half can of coconut milk, and spices directly to the pan. Mix thoroughly. Taste to see if you need any more spices or salt.
  7. Once your squash and cauliflower is done cooking, and chicken saucey mixture is heated up, de-thread spaghetti squash with a fork, running the fork the opposite way of the threads.
  8. Add your spaghetti squash threads, roasted cauliflower, and chicken saucey mixture to a 9x11 glass baking dish and add dish to the oven under the broiler. Cook for about 5 minutes, getting a little dark on the top.
  9. Remove from oven and let sit for around 10 minutes to help the sauce thicken up. Then eat the crap of that deliciousness.

17 comments:

  1. I have to try this. Your pumpkin chicken sliders were awesome so I trust that anytime you have a recipe that combines pumpkin and chicken it can't possibly suck.

    I want to marry astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson.

    ReplyDelete
  2. John Krasinski. End of Story.

    And I am so glad I am not the only Paleo drunkard out there.

    Represent, girl. Represent.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I just found your blog and I'm in love with you - you are so hilarious and kick ass in the gym.
    +1 to life with a fork - Paleo drunkard works right ...
    there's no other thing than fun that can ensue when you drink straight tequila

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks amazing! Will definitely try soon.

    Robert Downey Jr. - I know this probably rates right up there with Johnny Depp (who I LOVE too - since 21 Jump Street, which did you know there's a movie of THAT coming out next year?!!) but I've loved Robert since 1969, Soapdish, and Heart and Souls so I should get some credit for drooling over him for 23 years. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. not marry, but i would love to hang around with Javier Bardem.. his smile makes me smile and i think he would be very adventurous... we all love adventures, right? :)

    p.s. passed your blog along to my chiro.. he loves it! thanks for the recipes:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. You guys all rule for leaving comments!! I love it!
    Thank you for passing on my blog to your Chiro, Ellen! I really appreciate it!

    Primalbliss, I'm in love with you. Let's get together for a date.

    Thanks to all who are supportive of my occasional drinking habits.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Just made this tonight and it was scrumptious! Thanks for the recipe Julie, I'm a horrible cook and even I figured it out. Love your blog (and your humor) and your recipes, I can't wait to try some more!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Thanks for checking out the blog Stef!! Really appreciate it! Let me know if you try anything else!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Johnny Pacar or James McAvoy (can I have two? I've always had a hard time choosing)

    Thanks for all your delicious recipes!

    ReplyDelete
  10. This was delish! Even my non-paleo, mac-and-cheese-for-dinner-every-night roommate loved it. He put a little hot sauce on it, which sounds kind of strange, but it was actually pretty good. I might experiment with red pepper flakes or something similar the next time I make this -- thoughts?? Thanks again, Juli!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sdlgilikin- Thanks for checking out my blog!! :)

    Amy- so glad you liked it!! I bet the red pepper flakes would be delicious!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I made this the other night and it was GREAT SUCCESS with the family! Even had some coworkers that were intrigued with my leftovers that I brought for lunch! Thanks for sharing... Steph

    ReplyDelete
  13. That's awesome Steph!! Glad you liked it!!

    ReplyDelete
  14. I would also like to point out that Max has legit dance moves and 9.6 fingers.

    ReplyDelete