Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole

This simple and easy Keto Chicken Casserole is full of delicious chicken, cheese, broccoli and is loaded with flavor. It’s a great meal prep recipe that the entire family will enjoy, including the kids!

I absolutely love meal prepping, and this Keto Chicken Casserole Recipe is a meal preppers dream!  With a busy lifestyle meal prepping comes in handy more times than you may know, and casseroles in any form are perfect for that. 

Our easy keto chicken bake is loaded with broccoli and chicken, tons of flavor, oh and don’t forget the ooey-gooey cheese sauce…which is probably my favorite part. 

The first night I made this low carb chicken casserole, I was short on time and basically just threw a bunch of stuff together. I mean chicken and broccoli have always gone great together. Everyone in my house absolutely loved it! I sent pics of it that night to my brother in Italy and he was drooling over the phone…mission accomplished! 

Since my family loved my keto chicken bake so much I decided to make it again the next night for some friends. I baked it, then split it up into containers and delivered it to a few of my friend’s homes. They all texted me or called me the next morning and raved about how delicious it was. 

I love being able to share my recipes with all of you especially our keto dinner recipes, but I love cooking for my friends and family, and this recipe was an A+. I hope you guys love it too!

Is a Keto Chicken Casserole Keto-Friendly?

Yes! This is the perfect keto casserole and you wouldn’t even know it’s low carb by how it tastes. All of our ingredients are very keto-friendly making it a true low-carb cheesy chicken casserole. I can show you the comparison in net carbs between ours and a non-keto casserole. 

• Our Keto Chicken Casserole – 4.2 NET CARBS PER SERVING 
• Non-Keto Chicken Casserole – 30-40 NET CARBS PER SERVING 

Whoa! That’s a crazy big difference! Most non-keto chicken casseroles are loaded up with rice which is super high in carbs. Our low carb chicken casserole is loaded with chicken and broccoli making it not only fewer carbs but healthier as well.

What Ingredients are in Low Carb Chicken Casserole?

• Cooked Chicken Breast – Start off with cooked chicken breast that is cut into cubes or shredded. You can use a rotisserie chicken instead if that’s easier when making this keto bake chicken casserole. 
• Steamed Broccoli – Use fresh broccoli, but be sure to drain it before adding it to the keto chicken bake. Do not use frozen broccoli, it’s way too watery. 
• Cream Cheese – 8oz cream cheese, Philadelphia is my favorite brand. Be sure to let it come to room temperature to make it easier to work with. 
• Sour Cream – ⅓ cup full-fat sour cream. This helps the mixture get its creamy texture. 
• Cheddar Cheese – 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese. Shedding your own cheddar is best, but pre-shredded will work just fine in a pinch. 
• Spices –  Combination of salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.

What Chicken is Best in this Recipe?

Ok, you have a couple of chicken options:

1. Poached Chicken – Place the chicken breasts into a pot, and fill it with water being sure that the chicken breasts will be completely submerged. Turn on to medium heat, cover the pan with a lid and let cook for about 10-15 minutes. The cooking time may be different based on how thick the chicken is. The internal temp of the chicken should be 165 degrees F. Once the chicken is done, remove the pan from the heat and let sit for a few minutes. Cut or shred the chicken. 
2. Rotisserie Chicken – This is probably the easiest. Get a couple of rotisserie chickens, let them cool down, and pull all the meat off. Don’t let the dark meat go to waste, either use it in the casserole or save it for another recipe. 
3. Oven-Baked Chicken – Place the chicken breasts on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven at 425 degrees for about 15 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked through. The internal temp of the chicken should be 165 degrees F. Let rest for 5 minutes and cut or shred.

Cheese Options

Pick your favorite cheese to use to make the best keto chicken casserole. I used cream cheese to help give the keto chicken casserole a nice creamy texture, and some shredded cheddar cheese added to the mixture and on top. However, please go with any cheese you love. 

These are a few ideas of the best cheeses to put in your keto casserole with chicken:

• Cheddar – You know the saying “Cheddar is Better.” 
• Mozzarella 
• Parmesan 
• Monterrey Jack 
• Colby
• Feta 
• Gouda

How to Make a Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole 

STEP 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

STEP 2: Place the chicken breasts into a pot, and fill it with water being sure that the chicken breasts will be completely submerged. Turn on to medium heat, cover the pan with a lid and let cook for about 10-15 minutes.

The cooking time may be different based on how thick the chicken is. The internal temp of the chicken should be 165 degrees Fahrenheit. 

STEP 3: Once the chicken is done, remove the pan from the heat and let sit for a few minutes. Cut or shred the chicken.

STEP 4: Cut the fresh broccoli into florets, place it into a shallow pan with an inch or two of water. Place a lid over the broccoli, turn on to medium heat and set steam. Once steamed, set aside.

STEP 5: Place the cubed chicken and steamed broccoli florets in a large bowl and mix them together.

STEP 6: In a small bowl add the softened cream cheese, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir until fully mixed.

STEP 7: Pour the creamy mixture over the chicken and broccoli, and stir together.

STEP 8: Add 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese and stir.

STEP 9: Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish. Top with more cheddar cheese.

STEP 10: Bake for 15-20 minutes or until bubbling.

FAQs and Best Tips

Here are a few quick tips for making a super easy and delicious low-carb cheesy chicken casserole:

• Use a rotisserie chicken to save time when making our keto chicken recipe. 
• Whatever veggies you use be sure to cook them and drain them before adding them to the casserole. 
• Do not use frozen veggies, they will make the keto chicken bake too watery. 
• Cauliflower Rice is a great addition. 
• Crushed pork rinds make a good crunchy topping. 
• Runny Sauce – Add a bit more cheddar cheese to make the sauce thicker.

What to Serve with Low Carb Chicken Bake?

Since I added a lot of broccoli to this keto chicken casserole recipe I found it pretty filling and didn’t need much else with it. 

However, that doesn’t mean I don’t have some other yummy recipe ideas that you can serve alongside your keto chicken bake: 

• Fathead Dinner Rolls – Perfect for dipping into the cheesy sauce. 
• Spinach Salad 
• Greek Salad 
• Green Tossed Salad 
• Roasted Green Beans with Bacon 
• Oven Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Other Diets This Recipe is Good For

Gluten-Free: Love when casseroles are gluten-free. We use cream cheese and cheddar cheese to make a nice thick creamy sauce. 

Nut-Free: It can be a challenge to find keto and low carb recipes that are nut-free because so many of them have almond flour in them. But our keto cheesy chicken casserole is 100% nut-free!

Different Variations of This Recipe

Veggie Options

When it comes to veggies to put in your low carb cheesy casserole, the world is your oyster. 

Here are some of my favorites:

• Broccoli 
• Spinach 
• Cauliflower – Riced or Florets 
• Mushrooms 
• Brussel Sprouts 
• Asparagus 
• Zucchini
• Eggplant 

TIP – COOK AND DRAIN THE VEGGIES BEFORE ADDING THEM TO THE CASSEROLE. OTHERWISE, IT WILL MAKE THE MIXTURE TOO LIQUIDY.

Protein Substitutions

• Cubed Steak
• Shrimp 
• Chopped or Shredded Pork 
• Tofu – Vegetarian option
• Bacon

Can I Put a Breadcrumb Topping on Top?

So many casseroles including this keto chicken casserole recipe can have a crunchy topping! While breadcrumbs are not an option on a keto diet, there is another fantastic option. What is it you ask?? PORK RINDS! Yup, what’s better than adding some pork on top of your keto casserole with chicken! 

You can buy pork rinds and crush them into crumbs yourself, or you can buy pork rinds already crushed into crumbs. 

Sprinkle the pork rind crumbs on top of the keto chicken bake then place in the oven.

Another good breadcrumb option is to toast a ½ cup almond flour in the oven, then sprinkle on top of the keto chicken casserole.

Can I Add Rice?

Cauliflower rice is a great addition when making a keto rotisserie chicken casserole. It adds not only another veggie but also makes it more filling and ultimately a full rounded meal.

You can buy frozen or fresh cauliflower rice, or check out our article on How To Make Cauliflower Rice.

Meal Prep and Storing Options

STORING LEFTOVERS: 

1. Cover the keto cheesy chicken while still in the baking dish with foil and place it into the fridge for 3-5 days. This is the easiest way but takes up more space in your fridge. 
2. Place the leftover keto chicken casserole in an airtight container and store it in the fridge for 3-5 days. 

TO MEAL PREP: 

1. Assemble the casserole but do not bake it. Cover it with foil and place it in the fridge for up to 2 days. Bake right before serving. 
2. Assemble the casserole in a baking dish. Cover it with plastic wrap, then with foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
3. Individually Prepped. Bake the casserole and let completely cool down. Transfer into airtight containers. Store in the fridge for 3-5 days. Freeze for up to 3 months.

How to Reheat

There are 2 ways to reheat your keto cheesy chicken casserole leftovers. 

1. Microwave for 60-90 seconds. 
2. Bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 300 degrees.

Can You Freeze Chicken Casserole?

There are 2 ways that you freeze the low carb chicken casserole. 

1. FREEZE UNBAKED – Assemble the entire casserole per instructions in the recipe card, but do not bake it. Place the mixture in a baking dish, cover the casserole tightly with plastic wrap, then cover with foil. Place in the freezer for up to 3 months. 
2. FREEZE BAKED LEFTOVERS – If you have leftover baked keto cheesy chicken casserole, place it in an airtight container and place it in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

THAWING INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Let your keto casserole with chicken thaw in the fridge, before baking it. If you place an ice-cold glass or ceramic baking dish straight from the freezer to the oven it may crack when reaching the hot temperature. 
2. Remove the plastic wrap and foil. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

Tools to Use

We don’t need a lot in order to make this keto chicken casserole. Here are the basic tools you will need: 

• Mixing Bowl 
• Measuring Cups and Spoons 
• Baking Dish 9×13

Other Chicken Recipes

If you are looking for more delicious chicken recipes, try one of our best:

• Crispy Keto Fried Chicken
• Instant Pot Chicken Thighs 
• Healthy Keto Chicken Salad 
• Baked Chicken Drumsticks
• Baked Chicken Thighs  
• Low Carb Chicken Parmesan
• Keto Chicken Nuggets

Other Low Carb Casseroles

If you’re in the mood for some other Keto-friendly casserole recipes then try our:

• Keto Chicken Enchilada Casserole
• Low Carb Broccoli Casserole
• Keto Bacon Cheeseburger Casserole
• Low Carb Sweet Potato Casserole
• Baked Zucchini Casserole
• Cheesy Spaghetti Squash Casserole
• Loaded Cauliflower Casserole
• Keto Green Bean Casserole
• Low Carb Sweet Butternut Squash Casserole

All of them are Keto-friendly and low carb, and will have your friends raving!

Print