Perfect for a meal prep!
Note: I used dairy free butter, milk, and cheese, so my images may look very different from yours. Specifically, your non-vegan cheese will melt and brown in a much more beautiful way than mine did (curse you, lactose intolerance).
Ingredients:
Per 3-4 servings:
For the chicken:
- 1 lb chicken breast, skinless and boneless (optional: marinate in lemon pepper seasoning and 1 tablespoon oil over night)
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
For the vegetables:
- 1/2 tablespoon butter
- 1 teaspoon Trader Joe’s 21 Seasoning Salute
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
For the sauce:
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
For the topping:
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1/3 cup mozzarella cheese (use a little more if you’re using real mozzarella and not the vegan kind)
Instructions:
- First, cut the chicken in cubes.
- Heat the butter in a small pot and add the chicken. Cook for ~8 minutes until fully cooked. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
- Next, cook the vegetables. Heat the butter in a small pot and add the seasoning. Wait ~30-60 seconds, and then add the vegetables. Saute for ~5 minutes until soft. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
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Next, make the sauce. Heat the butter in a small pot and then add the flour. Stir constantly and let the mixture brown for a minute or two. Very gradually, add the broth and milk. Make sure to stir continuously to prevent the formation of clumps. Add the spices and let the sauce thicken for a few minutes. Then, add the cheese and stir to combine. Add the salt and pepper, to taste.
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Drain any excess liquid from the chicken and vegetables, and then add it to the sauce. Mix to combine.
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Lightly grease an 8x8 dish and transfer the mixture over.
- Top the casserole with cheeses.
- Bake for 20 minutes covered with aluminum foil. Uncover and bake for another 5-10 minutes to brown the cheese (vegan cheese, unfortunately, will not brown). Let it cool for a few minutes and enjoy!