Cauliflower and Chicken Gratin

Let’s get real. Cauliflower tends to be the ugly stepsister to broccoli. I rather like cauliflower and wanted to try making a main dish where cauliflower takes center stage. This Cauliflower and Chicken Gratin is creamy in texture, making it a perfect meal for a cold fall or winter night. Paired with a nice glass of crisp white wine, like a Sauvignon Blanc, cauliflower finally gets its chance to steal your heart.

Cauliflower and Chicken Gratin

3/4 lb chicken thighs
2 TBSP Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1/2 yellow onion, roughly chopped
1 head cauliflower, stems and leaves removed, roughly chopped
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp salt
2 TBSP flour
3/4 C whole milk
1 6-8 oz. fresh mozzarella, diced
3/4 C freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/2 C Panko bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 425. In a cast iron skillet, heat olive oil. Add chicken thighs. Cook through, turning after each side is browned. About 5 minutes on each side. Remove and set aside. Add onion to skillet. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Add cauliflower, thyme and salt. Cook until cauliflower browns, about 8 minutes. Add chicken. Spoon flour over cauliflower and chicken mixture and stir. Slowly add milk, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens, about 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Evenly spread mozzarella over skillet. Sprinkle Parmesan and Panko crumbs over the top. Bake until cheese bubbles and bread crumbs brown, 18-22 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.

If you don’t have a cast iron skillet or other oven-safe skillet, you can transfer the mixture to a casserole dish before putting on the cheese and panko crumbs.

Try some other dishes where cauliflower gets top billing on Food Network’s Fall Fest:

The Sensitive Epicure: Cauliflower Souffle
CIA Dropout: Cauliflower Squash Soup With Creme Fraiche
Daily*Dishin: Tender Roasted Cauliflower
Virtually Homemade: Cumin Crusted Beef Tenderloin With Cauliflower Puree
What’s Gaby Cooking: Cumin Roasted Cauliflower
Thursday Night Dinner: Roasted Garlic and Parmesan Mashed Cauliflower
Cooking Channel: 4 Ways to Cook Cauliflower
Napa Farmhouse 1885: Painted Cauliflower
FN Dish: Roasted Cauliflower 5 Ways
Big Girls Small Kitchen: Cauliflower Soup With Sharp Cheddar and Thyme
Dishin & Dishes: Cauliflower Gratin