Scalloped Potatoes and Chicken with Fennel

This comforting bake swaps heavy cream for skim milk and reduced-fat sour cream, offering a high-protein, lower-fat twist on classic scalloped potatoes.

Ingredients

Calories next to each ingredient are for that ingredient across the whole recipe (6 servings), not per serving.

• 4 medium red potatoes (about 680g), thinly sliced · 597 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 fennel bulb with fronds (about 250g) · 246 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 garlic cloves, minced · 14 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 450g) · 758 kcal in the whole recipe
• Cooking spray
• 1 1/2 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted · 239 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour · 68 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1 1/2 cups fat-free milk, divided · 141 kcal in the whole recipe
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream · 103 kcal in the whole recipe
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese · 49 kcal in the whole recipe

Method

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Thinly slice potatoes and fennel bulb; chop fennel fronds and set aside. Place potatoes and fennel in a microwave-safe dish, cover with water, and microwave on high for 5 minutes, then drain well.

   

2. Grease a 2-quart baking dish with cooking spray. Spread the drained vegetables inside, sprinkle with minced garlic, and place the halved chicken breasts on top.

   

3. In a bowl, whisk melted butter and flour into a smooth paste. Whisk in 1 1/4 cups of milk, salt, and pepper, then pour this sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Cover and bake for 30 minutes.

   

4. Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1/4 cup of milk with the sour cream.

   

5. Remove the dish from the oven and increase temperature to 425°F (220°C). Spread the sour cream mixture over the chicken, sprinkle with Parmesan and reserved fennel fronds, and bake uncovered for 10 more minutes until golden and chicken reaches 165°F (74°C).

   

Adapted from a USDA MyPlate Kitchen recipe (public domain). Portions, macros, diet checks and step photos by Besly.