Herbed Chicken with Smoked Gouda Cauli-Rice Recipe

Imagine coming home after a long day, craving something comforting, yet sophisticated for dinner. You want something that soothes your soul without drifting away from your healthy, ketogenic lifestyle. Enter the Herbed Chicken with Smoked Gouda Cauli-Rice, a dish that combines the rustic charm of roasted herbs with the creamy, smoky richness of Gouda cheese, all while keeping things low-carb and keto-friendly. Perfect for a quiet, indulgent evening at home or impressing guests at a dinner party, this dish proves that eating well doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor.

Herbed Chicken with Smoked Gouda Cauli-Rice

A symphony of herbs and smoked cheese that’s as delightful to the palate as it is easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• For the Herbed Chicken:
  • 1 whole chicken (approximately 4-5 lbs)
  • 1 stick of unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tablespoon fresh sage, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 lemon, halved
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • Extra herbs (sage, rosemary, thyme) for stuffing
• For the Smoked Gouda Cauli-Rice:
  • 1 pack of frozen riced cauliflower (about 12 oz)
  • 1 ounce cream cheese
  • 1 cup shredded smoked Gouda cheese
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • A pinch of salt
  • Fresh ground pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F. Prepare a roasting rack inside a roasting pan.
2. In a bowl, mix together the softened butter, chopped sage, rosemary, thyme, and salt.
3. Rub the butter mixture all over the chicken, ensuring you get under the skin as well.
4. Stuff the cavity of the chicken with the lemon halves, garlic cloves, and additional herbs.
5. Place the chicken on the roasting rack and roast in the oven for 1 hour, or until the skin is golden and crispy.
6. While the chicken roasts, cook the riced cauliflower in a pan over medium heat for 5 minutes.
7. Stir in the cream cheese, shredded smoked Gouda, and heavy cream into the cauliflower until well combined and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Once the chicken is cooked and rested, serve it alongside the creamy smoked Gouda cauli-rice.

Breakdown of Ingredients and Average Carb Content

Indulging in a hearty meal doesn’t mean you have to overlook your carb intake. Here’s how our main ingredients stack up, carb-wise:

• Riced Cauliflower: 5g per cup
• Cream Cheese: 1g per ounce
• Smoked Gouda Cheese: 0.6g per ounce
• Heavy Cream: 0.4g per tablespoon
• Herbs & Seasonings: Negligible

Total carbs for the cauli-rice portion per serving are impressively low, making this dish a star in your keto dining experience.

A Feast for the Senses

The Herbed Chicken with Smoked Gouda Cauli-Rice isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience. From the aromatic herbs that greet your senses as the chicken roasts to the silky, smoky cauli-rice that perfectly complements the juicy chicken, this dish is a testament to the fact that keto meals can be both nutritious and decadent. So, whether you’re dining solo, with a loved one, or entertaining guests, let this dish take center stage at your table and watch it become a cherished favorite in your culinary repertoire.