You don’t have to wait for Fall to enjoy this hearty, filling Harvest Chicken Casserole! Immerse yourself in the sweet and savory flavors of roasted Brussels sprouts, butternut squash, pear, and cranberries. The chicken sausage adds a juicy, protein-rich element to this dish. I also include aromatic notes of fresh sage, rosemary, and thyme. Together, they add a balanced and robust herbal profile to these harvest vegetables.

I mix this colorful arrangement with cauliflower rice soaked in gut-nourishing bone broth. To complete the ensemble, I’ve included five types of collagen with my Spectrum 5 Collagen powder. Colorful and nutritious, this recipe is a comfort food worth craving!

Cauliflower Rice

Many people use cauliflower rice to substitute traditional white or brown rice. This low-carb vegetable is a fantastic addition to this harvest chicken casserole. Not only does it add bulk,but its high-fiber content keeps you satisfied long after you’re done eating. It also absorbs the flavor of the bone broth and type 5 collagen powder.

Cauliflower rice is also a great source of vitamin C, folate, and B5. Your body uses vitamin C for collagen synthesis. It also supports healthy gums and immune function. The potassium and choline in cauliflower rice facilitate neurotransmitter communication. This is important for healthy memory, mood, and muscle function.

Harvest Vegetables

For this harvest chicken casserole, I wanted to create a classic dish you can enjoy all year around. That’s why I included all the must-haves such as butternut squash and Brussels sprouts. Butternut squash is a versatile, low-calorie winter squash with a slightly nutty flavor. It also contains beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, and alpha-carotene. Carotenoids are bioactive compounds that give plants their pigments. They also act as antioxidants. Antioxidants protect cells against oxidative stress and free radical damage. 

Brussels sprouts are another favorite addition to this harvest vegetables dish. Packed with fiber, Brussels sprouts can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. The antioxidants in Brussels sprouts also deter free radicals that trigger inflammation.

Chicken Sausage

What makes chicken sausage better than plain chicken breast? Chicken sausage bits add uniformity to the rest of the harvest chicken casserole. Additionally, they add a milder flavor over pork sausage. Chicken sausage can also be a great source of protein.

When looking for chicken sausage, make sure it’s nitrate-free. Research shows nitrates have a strong connection to chronic disease.  In addition, stay away from added hormones or antibiotics. These can trigger gut and immune issues. Lastly, opt for organic and free range options whenever possible. 

Sage Rosemary and Thyme

I love adding fresh herbs to my dishes. The perfect trio for this harvest chicken casserole is sage rosemary and thyme. Sage is a long, slender leaf that adds a pungent yet citrusy flavor to the dish. It balances out the savory flavors of the chicken sausage, Brussels sprouts, and butternut squash. 

The use of rosemary dates back to ancient Mediterranean times. This prickly, aromatic herb is a delightful companion to our harvest vegetables. Its earthy, pine-like aroma adds complexity to this dish. Research shows it also contains compounds that support healthy memory and concentration. This is especially true when used for aromatherapy.

Thyme is another fabulous herb that enhances this dish. It also promotes health and longevity. Thyme exudes sharp, earthy, slightly-minty notes. This is why it brings the harvest chicken casserole into perfect harmony. It completes that well-rounded flavor profile we’re after in our harvest vegetables. It’s no wonder chefs love to cook with it!

Collagen Powder

Fiber and antioxidants are important, but what about protein? To elevate our harvest chicken casserole, I added a scoop of my Spectrum 5 Collagen powder to the bone broth. This collagen powder features all five types of collagen for optimal health.

Collagen is a large group of protein molecules with different functions. Types I collagen is the most abundant type in the body. In fact, it makes up over 90% of the collagen in your body. That means it’s in your hair, nails, ligaments, and bones. 

Type II collagen powder is famous for its gut, cartilage, and joint support. Type III collagen powder supports healthy blood vessels and muscle tissue. Type IV collagen powder promotes eye health, as well as neonatal support. Type X collagen powder supports healthy cartilage between your ribs. This can assist with healthy mobility and movements. 

Each scoop of Spectrum 5 Collagen provides eight grams of all 5 types of collagen. I source my Type I II III collagen powder from eggshell membrane. I also use hydrolyzed bovine, and chicken bone broth powder. For complete, comprehensive support, I source hydrolyzed fish collagen as well.

How To Make Harvest Chicken Casserole

I’m so excited to make this harvest chicken casserole with you! First, we’re going to roast our seasoned harvest vegetables to perfection. Start by preheating the oven to 425 degrees F.

On a large baking sheet, place the butternut squash, Brussels sprouts, and celeriac. Drizzle two tablespoons of olive oil over them, season with sea salt and black pepper, and toss to coat. Roast the harvest vegetables for 25-30 minutes. To ensure even roasting, flip halfway through. You’ll know they’re done when they’re tender and slightly caramelized. 

While the harvest vegetables roast, grab a skillet and begin heating over medium heat. Pour a tablespoon of olive oil onto the skillet and add your onion and garlic. Sauté until translucent. This may take three to four minutes. Next, add the diced chicken sausage. Cook the chicken sausage until browned on all sides. After several minutes, stir in the sage rosemary, and thyme.

Up next we’ll add the cauliflower rice, pear, cranberries and cinnamon to the chicken sausage. Cook until the cauliflower starts to soften. Then, place the cauliflower rice, chicken sausage, and harvest vegetables in a large baking dish.

Mix the bone broth with the scoop of Spectrum 5 Collagen powder. Stir until completely dissolved.

Pour the mixture over all of the ingredients in the baking dish. Cook for roughly minutes, stirring occasionally. Once cauliflower rice is nice and tender, it’ll absorb the other flavors. Serve warm!

You can now enjoy all five types of collagen by taking your favorite desserts to the next level. Try adding Spectrum 5 Collagen to brownies, cookies, or these popsicles!