Chicken Asparagus Gratin

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this creamy and indulgent Chicken Asparagus Gratin, a dish that marries tender chicken, crisp blanched asparagus, and a luscious Gruyère cheese sauce under a golden breadcrumb crust. Perfectly seasoned with garlic and onion powder, this satisfying casserole combines rich flavors and comforting textures, making it a crowd-pleasing recipe for family dinners or special occasions. The use of blanched asparagus ensures a vibrant, fresh bite, while the Parmesan-breadcrumb topping provides irresistible crunch and a nutty finish. Ready in under an hour, this elegant yet simple dish bakes to perfection and pairs beautifully with a side salad or crusty bread.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:30 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 pound asparagus spears
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 cups whole milk
• 1.5 cups shredded Gruyère cheese
• 0.5 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 0.5 teaspoons garlic powder
• 0.5 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 teaspoons salt
• 0.5 teaspoons black pepper
• 0.5 cups breadcrumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Blanch the asparagus spears for 2 minutes, then transfer them to an ice water bath to stop the cooking. Pat dry and set aside.

Step 3

Season both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken until golden-brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. The chicken does not need to be fully cooked. Remove and let it rest on a cutting board, then slice it into thin strips.

Step 4

In a medium saucepan, melt 3 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute until lightly golden to form a roux.

Step 5

Gradually whisk in the milk, continuing to whisk until the mixture thickens and bubbles, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 6

Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 0.5 teaspoons of black pepper. Remove the saucepan from the heat and whisk in the Gruyère cheese and half of the Parmesan cheese until smooth.

Step 7

In a greased 9x13-inch baking dish, arrange the blanched asparagus in a single layer. Top with the sliced chicken.

Step 8

Pour the cheese sauce evenly over the chicken and asparagus, spreading it with a spatula to make sure everything is well coated.

Step 9

In a small bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the remaining Parmesan cheese and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the casserole.

Step 10

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.

Step 11

Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1639.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2512.5

Total Fat 145.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 78.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.9g
Cholesterol 673.1mg	0%
Sodium 5752.3mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 100.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 14.0g	0%
Total Sugars 32.9g
Protein 209.2g	0%

Vitamin D 260.9IU	0%
Calcium 2740.2mg	0%
Iron 17.4mg	0%
Potassium 2727.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.5%

Protein: 32.8%

Carbs: 15.7%