The Protein-First Potluck

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Church-Basement
Chicken & White Bean Bake

the dish that always comes home empty

Serves 6  ·  Hands-on 20 min  ·  Oven 35 min  ·  38g protein a plate

A homey, high-protein bake built on shredded chicken, creamy white beans, and a golden herbed crumb. It travels well, reheats kindly, and quietly delivers nearly forty grams of protein without anyone calling it “health food.”

✦ INGREDIENTS & METHOD ✦

You'll Need

  • 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded
  • 2 cans (15 oz) white beans, rinsed
  • 1 cup low-fat cottage cheese
  • ½ cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp dried thyme & sage
  • ½ cup panko, for the crumb
  • 2 tbsp grated parmesan
  • Salt & cracked pepper
38gProtein
9gFiber
410Calories

Make It

  1. Heat the oven to 400°F and butter a 9×13 dish. In a large bowl, fold together the chicken, drained beans, cottage cheese, yogurt, garlic, and herbs until everything is glossy and well acquainted.
  2. Season boldly — a potluck bake should taste of something. Stir in half the mozzarella, then spread the mixture into the dish and smooth the top.
  3. Toss the panko with parmesan and a spoon of melted butter; scatter it edge to edge with the rest of the mozzarella.
  4. Bake 30–35 minutes until the crumb is deep gold and the edges bubble. Rest ten minutes so it slices clean. Carry it in, set it down, step back.

Why it works

Three quiet protein sources — chicken, white beans, and cottage cheese — stack to 38g a serving while keeping the texture creamy, not chalky. The beans add fiber that protein bars never will.

From Protein First Recipes  ·  good food, quietly strong  ·  proteinfirstrecipes.com