Creamy Chicken and Cauliflower Recipe

This chicken thighs recipe features diced bacon, fresh cauliflower, and baby spinach, all cooked in a creamy Parmesan sauce. It’s Creamy Chicken and Cauliflower, your new favorite dinner recipe!

Juicy chicken thighs and cauliflower in a savory cream sauce make for a delicious recipe that’s perfect for when you need a quick, yet hearty meal!

An Easy Chicken Skillet Dinner

Nothing says comfort food like juicy chicken thighs and tender cauliflower florets, smothered in a creamy Parmesan sauce with bacon. Seriously, this dinner is so tasty, it’ll blow your tastebuds!

All the flavors here meld together perfectly, which is part of its comforting magic. Chicken and bacon are a match made in heaven, and when you add the creamy sauce, you’ve really hit the mark!

A nice textural contrast and mild flavor from the cauliflower adds the perfect finishing touch, while spinach gives both color contrast and a nutritional boost.

What You’ll Need

You’re going to really enjoy this amazing dinner, made with delicious ingredients, like bacon and Parmesan cheese! ? OH! It’s also LOW in carbs. ?

• Cauliflower: Wash and dry a pound of cauliflower and cut into small florets.
• Bacon: Dice 4 slices of thick-cut bacon.
• Chicken Thighs: You’ll need two pounds of boneless, skinless chicken thighs.
• Salt & Pepper: To taste.
• Dried Herbs: You’ll need a teaspoon of dried rosemary, or any other dried herbs you like.
• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder & Paprika: Half a teaspoon of each makes a great spice blend for the chicken.
• Butter: For frying.
• Baby Spinach: About 5 cups of fresh baby spinach.
• Garlic: Mince or press 4 cloves of garlic.
• Cream: You’ll need heavy whipping cream for the sauce.
• Chicken Broth: To deglaze the pan.
• Parmesan: Finely shredded Parmesan cheese adds rich flavor to the dish.
• Chopped Fresh Parsley: For garnish.

How to Make Chicken and Cauliflower

This is a very simple dish to make. You simply cook the cauliflower in boiling water until tender, while everything else cooks up in a skillet. Finally, it all gets mixed with fresh cream and Parmesan for a creamy, saucy finish.

1. Cook Cauliflower: Place the cauliflower florets in a large pot and cover with water; set over high heat and bring to a boil. Once the cauliflower is boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low; cover and simmer for 3 minutes, or until the cauliflower is fork tender. Drain and set aside.
2. Cook Bacon: In the meantime, heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat. Arrange the bacon carefully in the hot skillet, avoiding spatters, and cook until crispy, stirring frequently. Remove the bacon pieces from the skillet and set them aside on a plate. Don’t drain the bacon grease!
3. Cook Chicken Thighs: Place the skillet back over medium-high heat and melt the butter in it. Season the chicken thighs with salt, pepper, dried rosemary, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Add the chicken thighs to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until golden brown on one side. Flip over and cook for 6-8 more minutes, or until cooked through. Remove the chicken from the heat and transfer it to a plate; set aside.
4. Make Spinach & Sauce: Return the skillet to the heat once more and cook the baby spinach for 2 minutes, or until wilted. Remove from the skillet and set aside. Add the garlic to the pan and cook for 20 seconds, or until fragrant. Deglaze with chicken broth and stir in the cream. Whisk in the parmesan cheese.
5. Return All Ingredients to Skillet: Add the cooked cauliflower, spinach and cooked chicken back to the skillet and cook for a minute or two, or until heated through. Remove from the heat, garnish with bacon and parsley, and serve!

Tips for Success

Here are my best tips and tricks for making this flavor-packed, ultra-delicious meal. You’re going to love this one!

• Italian-Style: If you’d like, you can substitute small pieces of pancetta for the bacon and oregano for the rosemary, giving this recipe an Italian spin!
• Broccoli Rocks! Broccoli and broccolini make great substitutions for cauliflower in this dish. I recommend just using florets if you go with broccoli!
• Frozen Is Fine: This recipe works well with frozen cauliflower (or broccoli). Just cook the frozen florets until tender, the same way you would with fresh cauliflower.

What to Serve with Chicken and Cauliflower

To serve up this delicious dish, I recommend having a fresh contrast like salad, along with some bread to go with the creamy sauce. Here are some of my favorites!

• Soda Bread: Try my Skillet Soda Bread for a warm and wonderful side dish. It’s super simple to prepare!
• Gourmet Butternut Squash Salad: If you’re going all out, try this beautiful Roasted Butternut Squash Salad. It’s a showstopper!
• Tomato Salad: My Heirloom Tomato Salad is bursting with ripe, juicy flavor. It’s the perfect contrast to the richness of the chicken!

How to Store and Reheat Leftovers

• To store leftovers, place them in airtight food storage containers and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
• To reheat, place the leftovers in a covered skillet over low heat. Cook without boiling until the chicken is completely heated through.

Can I Freeze Chicken and Cauliflower?

• Yes, you can! The cream sauce may separate after freezing, but it will still be safe to eat. I recommend freezing the chicken in freezer bags. Press as much air as possible out of the bags before sealing them.
• Freeze the veggies and sauce in separate containers for up to 3 months.

ENJOY!

More Easy Dinner Ideas

Need more easy dinner recipes in your life? The following dishes are fail-proof!