Asparagus Bacon Potato Casserole (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 cup sharp cheddar, shredded
02 -
1 lb asparagus spears, trimmed and chopped into bite-sized pieces
03 -
4 chicken breasts, no skin and no bones
04 -
6 strips of bacon, diced up
05 -
3 cups small potato cubes (about 1/2 inch)
06 -
1 cup each of chicken broth and heavy cream
07 -
Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
08 -
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
09 -
1 teaspoon of fresh thyme leaves
10 -
1 medium onion, finely diced
11 -
2 tablespoons olive oil for cooking
12 -
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
# Instructions:
01 -
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9x13 inch dish lightly to avoid sticking.
02 -
In a skillet on medium, let the bacon pieces cook till they’re crispy. Move them to a plate with paper towels to soak up extra grease, but leave the fat in the pan.
03 -
Toss the onion bits into the skillet and cook them until soft. Mix in the garlic and stir for another minute to release that garlicky smell.
04 -
Scoot the onions and garlic aside, crank up the heat, and toss in the chicken breasts. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and paprika before browning each side for 3-4 minutes to get a golden crust.
05 -
Take the chicken out, slice it into strips, and toss the potato cubes into the same skillet. Let the potatoes cook for about 5 minutes to get them a bit tender.
06 -
Start layering! First, put half the potatoes in the greased dish, lay the chicken strips on top, add the cooked bacon, then sprinkle over the chopped asparagus.
07 -
Stir the heavy cream, chicken broth, and thyme together in a bowl, then evenly pour it all over the casserole layers you built.
08 -
Scatter the shredded cheese on top and let it bake, uncovered, for around 25-30 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when the cheese is bubbling and golden.
09 -
Once out of the oven, give it about 5 minutes to settle so the sauce thickens up a bit before digging in.
# Notes:
01 -
To make it vegetarian, skip the meat and swap for a can of chickpeas or white beans (drain and rinse first).
02 -
Try adding fresh herbs like rosemary or oregano for a different vibe.
03 -
For some crunch, sprinkle a breadcrumb and Parmesan mix on top, about 10 minutes before baking time is up.
04 -
Making it ahead? Assemble everything and refrigerate covered. Add 10-15 more minutes to the bake time.