Things have been a little quiet around my blog for the past few weeks because I am pregnant! Even though I love to cook, I had no energy during the first trimester along with a very picky appetite. Food finally sounds good again and I’m back to cooking!
I know many women say it’s hard to eat gluten-free during pregnancy, because of all the cravings and food aversions. In my day-to-day life non-gluten-free foods don’t tempt me anymore. But during those first few weeks of pregnancy I thought I would die if I couldn’t have an Einstein’s bagel and cream cheese! Knowing what gluten does to my body and how it can even effect the baby during pregnancy prevented me from following through on any cravings. But it was hard!
I will write a separate post about gluten-free pregnancy and how I got through the first trimester. In addition to celiac disease, I also have PCOS. I really think the two are related. We have wanted to have another baby for a few years now and are thrilled I am finally pregnant! Infertility is such a challenge for so many. I am believer that whole, real foods and a clean diet can help.
When I’m pregnant a lot of the food I crave is food I grew up eating. My Grandma was known for her chicken and rice casserole. Unfortunately her recipe relies on cream soups and onion soup mix. When you eat gluten and dairy-free classic casserole dishes can be hard to recreate! Most of them rely on cheeses, white sauces, or cream soups for moisture and flavor.
This casserole is full of flavor and gets its creaminess from cashew cream. If you don’t like cashews don’t worry, it doesn’t taste like them. A combination of mushrooms, shallots, garlic, chicken stock, and a dash of gluten-free soy sauce make this casserole savory and satisfying. It can be made ahead and reheats wonderfully. For crunch, I sprinkle crushed organic corn chips over top of the casserole before baking it!
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Dairy-Free Chicken Broccoli & Rice Casserole {Gluten-Free}
Ingredients
- ¾ cup cashews
- 2 tablespoons ghee, butter, or coconut oil
- 4 shallots, minced
- 4 oz cremini mushrooms, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons GF flour
- 4 cups chicken stock, divided
- 1-2 teaspoons gluten-free soy sauce, or coconut aminos for soy-free
- ½-1 teaspoon hot sauce, depending on how spicy you like it
- 3 cups cooked brown rice, preferably cooked in chicken stock/broth
- 2 cups cooked shredded chicken, I prefer rotisserie chicken
- 3 cups broccoli, chopped into small florets
- .125 tsp salt/pepper
Topping: (optional)
- 2 cups crushed organic corn tortilla chips
- 2 tablespoons melted ghee, butter, or coconut oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the cashews and let sit for 30 minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.
- In a large dutch oven, heat the ghee over medium heat until shimmering. Add the shallots, mushrooms, garlic, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook until softened, about 7-9 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the mushroom mixture and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- While whisking constantly, slowly pour in 3 cups of the chicken stock. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, until thickened.
- Meanwhile, drain and rinse the cashews. Place them in a high-speed blender with ½ cup of chicken stock. Blend until completely smooth. Add the cashews to the sauce mixture along with the soy sauce and hot sauce. Remove from the heat.
- Stir the brown rice, chicken, and broccoli into the sauce. Taste and season with additional salt if needed and plenty of black pepper. Add up to ½ cup additional chicken stock if the mixture looks too thick. Pour into a greased 3-quart casserole dish. Combine the corn chips with the ghee and sprinkle evenly over the top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Recipe inspired by a casserole from Meals Made Simple
Natalie says
This looks amazing! We are GF/DF and miss casseroles so definitely want to try this. I’ve just found your site and am enjoying it. I’m having trouble pinning any recipes sadly though with your pin it button. I’m on an iPad. Hopefully they’ll work on a desktop if I can remember to do it so that I can save them!
Cecelia says
Hi. I have PCOS so I try to avoid dairy and gluten and sugar. Also many carbs are avoided, so I dont eat rice typically, not even brown. Your recipe sounds delicious but do you think I could sub rice for rice cauliflower? Thx
Erin Collins says
I think cauliflower rice should work great! You may need to just decrease the baking time a bit. Enjoy!
Jason says
I was really surprised! I don’t normally use go dairy-free. So using cashew cream was new. Best part is it was so creamy. We don’t like mushrooms so we left those out, but it was still delicious and flavorful!
Malia says
I’m excited to try this receipe Erin! Thanks for your free cookbook! It looks great!
Erin Collins says
I hope you like the recipes! 🙂
Stacey says
Hello,
I’m curious if nutritional yeast might be used instead of cashews? My kids are allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts and most tree nuts. We avoid gluten by choice 🙂
Kristin says
Hi Erin, do you have any idea whether coconut milk as a sub for the cashews and broth would ruin the flavors of the casserole? I have that on hand and want to make this for a new Mom who’s celiac.
Erin Collins says
I haven’t tried it myself! I think it might be ok though!
Lisa says
Hello, If I want to bring this to someone can complete all the steps except the bake then refrigerate the casserole and let them bake it?
Erin Collins says
Yes! Just leave the topping off until just before baking.
Chrissie says
I just want to hug you. I’m in my first trimester for my 5th child and we have a strict diet in order to heal my 6 year olds autism. I just connected with everything you wrote and wanted to say thank you, for sharing yourself with all of us, as well as a recipe that doesn’t sound disgusting-like everything else does at the moment.
Konnie Lee says
I’m making chicken and rice casserole dish fi a sick family member
Robin says
I made this. Thought it was great it was gluten and dairy free. But the sauce is rather bland. I had to doctor it up with more spices and some curry and parsley and more hot sauce and tamarin sauce. I don’t know if I would make it again, my husband said it was okay, but I wouldn’t make it again.
Erin Collins says
Sorry it didn’t turn out for you!