What's your definition of comfort food? I think we all have our own. To me, this is comfort food, that is, food that makes my tummy feel all warm and cozy and comfy and satisfied and happy. When my tummy is happy, the rest of me tends to be happy too!
To make this I made a white sauce using arrowroot flour or powder. I know arrowroot is a starch, not low carb, but over all, it only adds 2 g carbs per serving, which isn't much more than cream cheese. Yes, you could make a cheese sauce using cream cheese, or a store bought alfredo sauce, which is what I've done many times, but my husband doesn't like the taste from cream cheese, or from alfredo sauce in a jar. And we both really like the taste of a good roux. Arrowroot is nice because it is a healthier alternative to wheat flour or cornstarch, and you don't need as much to get the same effect. This made a wonderful, tasty, smooth, rich, creamy cheese sauce--just what we wanted! I hope you'll like it!
The noodles are made with zucchini, with a vegetable peeler, by just peeling strips lenth-wise all the way around, down to the seeds. Easy peasy. I like my broccoli in very small pieces. If you don't, you won't have to take the extra step of chopping them, but I chop mine up pretty small.
CHICKEN NOODLE BROCCOLI BAKE
2 medium zucchini -- made into wide zucchini noodles with vegetable peeler
12 ounces chicken breast -- cooked and chopped
12 ounces frozen broccoli -- steamed and chopped into small pieces
Cheese Sauce
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon -- (gluten free)
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons arrowroot
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup water -- mixed together with cream.
1 1/2 cups fiesta blend shredded cheese -- OR cheddar
In 3-qt. casserole dish, place zucchini noodles, chicken breast, and broccoli.
In medium saucepan, add butter, chicken bouillon, minced garlic, and arrowroot. Heat on high until butter is melted and bubbly. Reduce heat to medium and slowly pour in cream and water mixture stirring and bring to a boil. Boil for about 1 minute and remove from heat.
Stir in shredded cheese until melted and pour sauce into casserole. Stir together.
If desired you can top this with low-carb bread crumbs if you have some, or sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake 375F for 30 to 40 minutes, or microwave on high for 20 minutes and then place under the broiler to brown the crumb topping if using.
Copyright:
"10-22-2013, Ginny Larsen"
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6 Servings/Per Serving: 401 Calories; 34g Fat (74.2% calories from fat); 17g Protein; 9g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber (6g net carbs)