Cheesy Chicken and "Rice" Bake

Day #2 of SNOWPOCALYPSE in Athens, Georgia. I have not left my couch much at all in the last 48 hours other than to use the bathroom or retrieve food.  So far, the forced relaxation has been really kinda nice, but I think if I don't get out of the house for at least a little bit today, I'm going to start to go stir crazy!  I'm far too Type A to embrace doing "nothing" for very long (which can be both a good and bad character trait, I suppose).

I'm definitely going to miss working out with my fellow Tribe trainers this afternoon, so I've decided to kick off my morning with some Tabata intervals in the living room.  But first!...a cozy, cheesy, cauliflower-y recipe for you.  THIS is the kind of dinner I could easily finish off in one-sitting, by myself, on a bitterly cold night like the ones we've had lately.  Dairy is a Paleo no-go, but we still indulge on occasion. Let's be honest, folks, what is life without cheese?!? This recipe's got it (and needs it, if you ask me), but only enough for some extra flavor...not enough to have to call it a cheat meal :)

Did I mention I love cheese?  

If you haven't tried Cauliflower "Rice" yet, get ready to fall in love. It's a phenomenal Paleo substitute that we use all.the.time. You'll need a head of cauliflower and either a food processor or cheese grater. Cut the cauliflower into florets, place in the food processor, and pulse in one-second pulses until the size of rice. Voila! 

The hubby and I paired this with a side of sautéed green beans. Enjoy! 

                            Cheesy Chicken and "Rice" Bake 

Ingredients:

4 pieces of bacon, chopped

1 large yellow onion, chopped

12 oz button mushrooms, chopped

1 tsp french thyme

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 large head cauliflower, "riced"

1 1/2 lbs cooked chicken, shredded

1 cup sharp cheddar cheese

4 green onions, chopped

Directions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2) Place bacon in a large skillet over medium heat.  Cook until crispy.  

3) Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from pan leaving bacon drippings.

4) Add onion and mushrooms to bacon drippings and cook about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.

5) Add french thyme and salt and stir until fragrant.

6) Add cauliflower and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7) Add chicken and bacon and stir until well combined.  Season with salt, to taste.

8) Pour mixture into 11x7" oiled (I used coconut oil) dish, sprinkle with cheese, and bake for 20 minutes or until top is golden brown.  

9) Sprinkle with green onions.