This keto chicken alfredo with broccoli is a family-friendly keto casserole that’s packed with flavor and ready in 30 minutes. It features layers of some of the best ingredients like creamy and garlicky keto Alfredo sauce, juicy chunks of Italian Herb spiced chicken breasts, steamed broccoli and cheese. Make this for a creamy dreamy meal for the whole family to enjoy.
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Why You'll Love This Keto Chicken Alfredo
- Packed with flavor: Every layer of this dish is seasoned to perfection, resulting in a creamy, garlicky, and Italian herb-filled meal that will excite your taste buds.
- Easy & Flexible: This recipe uses a few common pantry spices for the chicken along with a 15-minute Alfredo sauce (or your favorite jarred Alfredo sauce from the grocery store). Making keto chicken alfredo casserole with broccoli is actually quite easy.
Ingredients You'll Need
Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients and possible substitutions:
For the Chicken
- Chicken: Use boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenders. Chicken thighs can also be used. Pre-cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken, is a great time-saving option.
- Spices: A mix of Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder adds flavor to the chicken. Cajun seasoning can also be added for a slight kick.
- Olive Oil: For searing the chicken. Avocado oil can be substituted.
For the Alfredo Sauce
- Butter: Use butter or avocado oil.
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic is best for flavor.
- Heavy Cream: The base of the Alfredo sauce.
- Cream Cheese: Adds thickness and creaminess to the sauce. Cottage cheese or cashew cheese may be used as a dairy-free substitute, but it has not been tested.
- Parmesan Cheese: Freshly shredded or grated parmesan cheese is recommended for better melting and flavor. Pre-shredded parmesan cheese can also be used.
- Seasoning: Salt and pepper to taste.
For the Casserole
- Broccoli: Fresh broccoli florets are recommended, steamed or blanched. Frozen broccoli can also be used. Other vegetables like mushrooms, sliced bell pepper, or asparagus can be substituted.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella cheese is used for topping the casserole. An Italian cheese blend, pizza cheese blend, or mild cheddar can also be used.
- Optional: Hot pepper flakes or a dash of cayenne pepper can be added for a little heat. Lemon zest can be added for additional flavor.
How to Make Keto Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli
Here's a step-by-step guide to making this delicious casserole:
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Mix all of the spices (Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder) in a small bowl.
- Add the chicken to a large bowl and pour on all of the spices.
- Toss the chicken to coat the pieces evenly.
- Heat olive oil in a cast-iron skillet or frying pan to medium heat.
- Cook the chicken breast pieces for 3-4 minutes per side, or until the chicken breasts reach 160 degrees (they'll continue to cook to 165 degrees as they rest).
- Remove from the heat.
2. Prepare the Alfredo Sauce
- In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and saute for 30 seconds to a minute, or until fragrant.
- Then, slowly add in the heavy whipping cream and softened cream cheese cut into blocks.
- Whisk until the cream cheese is melted and well combined.
- Add in the grated parmesan and whisk until melted and mixed through.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Assemble the Casserole
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Add about ½ cup of alfredo sauce to the bottom of a large (9×13) baking dish. Spread it evenly.
- Add half the chicken and the broccoli.
- Add 1 cup of alfredo sauce (distribute as evenly as possible) and add 1 cup of Mozzarella cheese to the top.
- Repeat step 2 with the remaining sauce, chicken and cheese.
- Bake for 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned.
- Preheat the broiler to low heat. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until the mozzarella cheese begins to bubble.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Keto Chicken Alfredo
- Use homemade or jarred Alfredo sauce: If you’re in a time crunch, then you can use jarred Alfredo sauce. Making your own takes 15 minutes.
- Swap shredded chicken or leftover chicken for the seared chicken breast: If you don’t want to cook chicken, another time-saving tip is to use shredded rotisserie chicken that you picked up from the store.
- Sneak in more veggies: While Chicken Alfredo with fettuccini noodles is an ultimate comfort food and a top 10 favorite meal at home, this recipe is a healthier alternative to that classic dish. Feel free to play with the vegetables here!
- Don't overcook the broccoli: Blanch broccoli by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Add the broccoli to the boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Remove the broccoli with a slotted spoon and place in the ice water. Drain.
- Thickening the Sauce: If the sauce is too thin, continue boiling on low heat with the lid off, and it will reduce.
- Reheating Alfredo Sauce: The best way to reheat a cream sauce is over a double boiler. Avoid shocking the sauce with high heat. If it does separate, add a little heavy cream and whisk again to emulsify.
- Dairy-Free Option: For a dairy-free version, swap out the homemade alfredo with a paleo alfredo sauce. Then, top with dairy-free mozzarella cheese, or omit it for whole30 and strict paleo.
Serving Suggestions
- As is: This creamy and delicious low-carb Chicken Alfredo Bake can be served as is for a simple one-dish meal.
- With low-carb pasta alternatives:
- Zucchini Zoodles - Are made by spiralizing zucchini into noodle shapes.
- Spaghetti Squash - Is a favorite pasta alternative. Once it is cooked, it shreds into thin strands that resemble noodles.
- Miracle Noodles (Shirataki Noodles) -Shirataki noodles are made from the Konjac plant.
- Palmini- This low-carb alternative to pasta was featured on Shark Tank.
- With a salad: Add a nice leafy garden salad to serve alongside.
Common Questions
- Can chicken alfredo bake casserole be made ahead of time? Yes, this makes a great make-ahead meal! Simply fully assemble it without baking, then cover and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze up to 3 months.
- How do I reheat a frozen casserole? To reheat, allow thawing in the fridge overnight then bake as directed.
- What can you use instead of heavy cream for chicken alfredo? Some people use milk and create a roux with flour or cornstarch. However, when making keto chicken Alfredo most avoid making a roux since it includes carbs from the flour and the cornstarch. Keto dieters also tend to limit regular milk as it has a lot of natural sugar.
- How many carbs are in homemade chicken alfredo? Since this recipe includes broccoli, most of the carbs come from that. This recipe includes 4g of net carbs.
- Is Alfredo sauce keto-friendly? Alfredo sauce is generally low in carbs, but you might find ingredients you avoid, like wheat or flour in commercially made brands. Typically alfredo sauce has approx 3-4 carbs.
- What kind of cheese can I use? I use pre-shredded parmesan cheese…The powder kind will not work. Besides parmesan cheese used in traditional alfredo sauces, Pepper Jack can be added for a hint of added flavor.
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