Delicious Keto Chicken and Bacon Recipes for a Low-Carb Lifestyle

For those following a ketogenic diet, finding satisfying and flavorful meals can sometimes be a challenge. However, the combination of chicken and bacon offers a versatile and delicious foundation for a variety of keto-friendly recipes. These recipes are not only low in carbs but also packed with protein and healthy fats, making them ideal for maintaining ketosis and enjoying a satisfying meal.

Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

This Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a rich, cheesy, low-carb dish that the whole family will love! Loaded with two types of cheese, chicken, bacon, and veggies, this casserole is a hearty and flavorful meal.

Ingredients:

• Shredded, cooked chicken
• Fried and crumbled bacon
• Frozen, steam-in-bag cauliflower rice
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Ranch seasoning
• Shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. Microwave the frozen cauliflower rice in the bag for 3 minutes to get it started cooking. Cut open the side of the bag and drain out any excess liquid. Add cauliflower to a large mixing bowl. If using fresh cauliflower, chop or process it into rice-sized pieces, place in a microwave-safe bowl, and add 2 tablespoons of water. Cover tightly and microwave for 3 minutes. Drain liquid.
3. Add the chicken and bacon to the bowl with the cauliflower.
4. To prepare the ranch dressing, soften some cream cheese. Microwave in a bowl for about 30 seconds or until it can easily be stirred. Add the sour cream and the packet of ranch seasoning and stir it well until it is fully combined.
5. Stir the ranch mixture into the cauliflower rice to combine.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared 9x13 baking dish.
7. Bake for about 20 minutes or until the cheesy topping has melted and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
8. Serve with a drizzle of ranch dressing and some chopped parsley to top it off.

Tips:

• Keep cooked, shredded chicken on hand for easy weeknight meals.
• Leftovers should keep for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.

Cheesy Bacon Chicken

This Cheesy Bacon Chicken recipe requires only 5 ingredients and 5 minutes of preparation time.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Seasoning rub (such as smoked paprika seasoning rub)
• Bacon
• Cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Rub both sides of chicken breasts with seasoning rub.
3. Top each with a piece of bacon.
4. Bake for 30 minutes on the top rack until the chicken is 160 degrees and the bacon looks crispy.
5. Remove tray from the oven and sprinkle the cheese over the bacon.
6. Put back in the oven for about 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

Variations:

• Chicken Bites: Cut the chicken into 2-inch chunks and bake for 15 minutes.
• Cream Cheese: Add a small layer of cream cheese on the chicken.
• Ranch Dressing: Use dairy-free ranch dressing instead of barbecue sauce.
• Sweet Rub: Add a brown sugar sweetener to the rub.

Tips:

• Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken is cooked to at least 160 degrees F. It should be 165 degrees F before you eat it, but it will finish cooking as it rests.
• For best results when freezing, wrap each piece individually with plastic wrap or tin foil, then place the pieces in a freezer-safe container.

One-Pan Easy Buffalo Chicken Skillet

This dish is a cheesy bacon cream cheese dish like a casserole but fast on the stovetop. Tender chunks of chicken breast, lots of cheese, and bacon covered in buffalo sauce make this one of those keto chicken recipes you will make on a regular basis. This creamy chicken and bacon meal is ready in 20 minutes on the stove.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast
• Bacon
• Buffalo sauce
• Cream cheese
• Almond milk
• Cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat a skillet over medium heat for about 1 minute.
2. Add chicken, bacon, and ranch seasoning. Sauté until golden and crispy. Chicken should not be pink in the middle at all (165 internal temp).
3. Drain grease.
4. Reduce heat to low and return the skillet to the burner.
5. Add butter, cream cheese, and almond milk. Whisk until melted and fully combined.
6. Stir in half the cheese, whisk until melted. Gradually increase heat just until cheese sauce bubbles. Reduce to simmer.
7. Add chicken and bacon. Stir.
8. Drizzle buffalo wing sauce all over and top with more cheese or parmesan.
9. Cover and let simmer for about 5 minutes.

Tips:

• Buffalo sauce is generally keto-friendly, but check labels for sugar content.

Keto Bacon Chicken Thighs with Garlic Cream Sauce

This recipe is an aromatic, flavorful entree that has both your meat and veggies in one dish. You’ll love the familiar Italian flavors (with lots of garlic).

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs
• Bacon
• Broccoli
• Heavy whipping cream
• Parmesan cheese
• Garlic

Instructions:

1. Heat the olive oil or bacon grease in a skillet over medium-high heat.
2. Sear the chicken in the skillet until cooked through.
3. Reduce the heat to medium-low, and pour in the chicken broth and broccoli.
4. Melt the butter in the skillet, and add the onions; saute until the onions are softened.
5. Pour in the heavy whipping cream, and simmer until the sauce thickens.
6. Stir in the parmesan cheese until well combined.

Tips:

• Ensure the chicken is fully cooked before eating. It shouldn’t be pink at all.
• If you don’t like broccoli, replace it with cauliflower.

Keto Chicken Skillet with Bacon Cream Sauce

This Keto Chicken Skillet is the perfect weeknight meal and ready in 30 minutes!

Ingredients:

• Chicken breast
• Bacon
• Shallots
• Garlic
• White wine (or chicken broth)
• Heavy cream
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sprinkle each side of the chicken breast with the seasonings.
3. Melt the butter in an oven-proof skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden. Remove from the pan and set aside.
4. Add the uncooked, chopped bacon to the skillet and brown until crisp. Remove the bacon and set aside, drain off all of the bacon grease EXCEPT one tablespoon.
5. Add the minced garlic and shallot to the grease. Sauté until fragrant. Add the white wine (or chicken broth), scrape the pan well to deglaze, and bring the wine to a simmer. Allow it to reduce for 5-6 minutes.
6. Stir in the heavy cream and parmesan, stir until the cheese has melted completely and a creamy parmesan sauce forms. Add the cooked bacon to the sauce.
7. Place the chicken in the cream sauce.
8. Bake until the chicken is warmed throughout and the sauce is bubbling.

Tips:

• Avoid chicken cuts with skin, as it can become soggy in the cream sauce.

Keto Crack Chicken

Keto crack chicken recipe is a weeknight family staple. It features shredded chicken breasts, crispy bacon, and a creamy ranch sauce, all topped with melty cheese.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Butter
• Cream cheese
• Spice mix (onion powder, garlic powder, dried dill, dried parsley, salt, and mustard powder)
• Bacon
• Olive oil
• Cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F. Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Pound the four chicken breasts until ¼ inch in thickness. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Add olive oil to the non-stick pan and place over medium heat. Add the diced bacon and cook until crispy. Remove the bacon and keep the bacon grease in the pan. Add the butter and when hot, and the chicken breasts and cook 2-3 minutes per side, until golden.
4. Transfer the chicken breasts into the baking dish and pour the pan juices over them.
5. In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and spices until combined. Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast. Sprinkle the cooked bacon on top, followed by the shredded cheese.
6. Bake for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese has melted. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Tips:

• While chicken breasts are preferred, skinless chicken thighs can also be used.

Cheesy Bacon Ranch Chicken

This recipe involves topping chicken breasts with ranch seasoning and melty mozzarella before sprinkling them with crispy pieces of bacon.

Ingredients:

• Bacon
• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Ranch seasoning
• Shredded mozzarella
• Chopped chives, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon, flipping once, until crispy, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of bacon fat from the skillet.
2. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Return skillet to medium-high heat, add chicken and cook until golden and just cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
3. Reduce heat to medium and sprinkle chicken with ranch seasoning and top with mozzarella. Cover the skillet and cook, until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 5 minutes.
4. Crumble and sprinkle bacon and chives on top before serving.

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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