Between school pick-ups, after-school activities, work and everything else on the go, a quick, satisfying family dinner is worth its weight in gold. This chicken and cauliflower bake is ready in under 30 minutes, making it a firm favourite on our busy weeknights.
Chicken and Cauliflower Bake Recipe
Cauliflower wasn’t always a favourite in our house, but once we tried it roasted, we were converted. Now it’s a regular on the shopping list, and this bake is one of our go-to ways to use it — especially if you’ve got leftover chicken from a Sunday roast to use up.
The chicken sits in a creamy, lightly spiced sauce, topped with tender cauliflower, melted cheddar and a buttery breadcrumb crust. Comforting, simple, and quick enough for a weeknight.
This recipe serves 4.
Ingredients
- 450g cooked chicken, chopped
- 1 litre chicken stock
- 25g butter
- 25g flour
- 100mls of cream
- 1 tsp curry powder
- Salt and pepper
- 1 small head of cauliflower, blanched
- 2 handfuls of grated cheddar cheese
- 50g butter
- 150g breadcrumbs
Method
1. Preheat your oven to 180ºC / 350ºF.
2. Heat your stock to boiling, then simmer.
3. To make your roux, melt the butter and add the flour, combine and cook on a low heat for 1 minute.
4. Gradually add the stock until your sauce is thickened. Pour in the cream and curry powder and simmer for 3 minutes, then taste and adjust the seasoning.
5. Arrange the chicken on the base of your dish and cover with the sauce.
6. Put the blanched cauliflower on top of the sauce and scatter over the cheese.
7. Put the 50g of butter into a saucepan over a low heat. Once melted, add the breadcrumbs and stir through.
8. Scatter the breadcrumbs on top of the cauliflower and place in the oven for 25 minutes, or until bubbling and golden.
Serve with green peas, green beans, or a simple green salad on the side.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does this chicken and cauliflower bake take to make?
With the sauce coming together on the hob in just a few minutes and 25 minutes in the oven, this bake is ready in under 30 minutes — ideal for a fast weeknight dinner.
Can I use leftover chicken for this recipe?
Yes. This bake is a great way to use up cooked chicken from a Sunday roast, so it works well as a next-day dinner too.
What goes well with this bake?
Green peas, green beans, or a simple green salad all make a lovely, fresh side to balance the creamy sauce.
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