Are you looking for a comforting, flavorful, and easy-to-make dish that aligns with your low-carb lifestyle? Look no further than the Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Broccoli Casserole! This recipe combines the classic flavors of chicken, bacon, and ranch with the added goodness of broccoli, all while keeping the carb count low. If you thought going keto meant sacrificing the ease and comfort of casseroles, think again!
Why Keto Casseroles are a Great Choice
Keto casseroles offer a fantastic way to enjoy delicious and satisfying meals while adhering to a low-carb diet. The possibilities are endless. You can create a new casserole every day of the year simply by varying the combination of ingredients. Casseroles are also highly customizable, allowing you to tailor recipes to your specific preferences and the tastes of your family. This makes them an awesome choice for family dinners and meal prepping.
The Star Ingredients
This particular casserole brings together a harmonious blend of ingredients that create a symphony of flavors and textures:
- Chicken: Provides a lean source of protein and a hearty base for the casserole.
- Bacon: Adds a smoky, salty, and crispy element that elevates the dish.
- Broccoli: Introduces a healthy dose of vegetables, adding both nutritional value and a pleasant textural contrast.
- Creamy and Cheesy Sauce: Binds all the ingredients together, creating a rich and satisfying flavor profile.
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning: Infuses the casserole with that signature tangy and savory ranch flavor.
Preparing the Ingredients
One of the great things about this casserole is its flexibility in ingredient preparation. Here are some options:
Chicken
- Baking: Bake the chicken until cooked through and tender.
- Sautéing: Sauté chicken cubes in a skillet on the stove.
- Boiling: Boil the chicken in water or chicken broth.
- Rotisserie Chicken: Use a store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience (remember to cut back on salt if using rotisserie chicken).
- Slow Cooker: Cook your chicken in a slow cooker on high for 3 hrs or low for 6 hours with a bit of chicken broth and salt/pepper. Remove from the slow cooker and shred. (If using a rotisserie chicken, shred that.)
Having pre-cooked chicken on hand, whether from the freezer or a rotisserie chicken, can significantly speed up the preparation process. You can also use chicken thighs baked in the oven.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Broccoli
- Fresh Broccoli: Steaming or boiling fresh broccoli on the stovetop is a quick and easy method.
- Steam Bag: If using a steam bag of broccoli, follow directions on the bag to steam.
Bacon
- Precooked Bacon: Use precooked real bacon to save time. Costco offers large bags of precooked bacon.
- Cook Bacon in Advance: Cook 1-2 pounds of bacon ahead of time and store it in the fridge or freezer for meal prep.
Homemade Ranch Seasoning
While you can use a store-bought ranch packet for convenience, making your own ranch seasoning allows you to control the ingredients and avoid preservatives and additives. It also delivers a more robust and authentic buttermilk flavor.
Ranch Seasoning Ingredients:
- Dried parsley
- Dill
- Chives
- Garlic powder
- Onion powder
- Salt
- Pepper
Instructions:
- In a small bowl, combine all ranch seasoning ingredients and stir to mix. Set aside.
Assembling the Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Broccoli Casserole
Now comes the fun part - putting everything together!
Ingredients:
- Olive oil
- Chicken breast - Boneless, skinless breast and cut it into equal sized cubes.
- Salt
- Broccoli florets - You can use either a crown or pre cut florets if your store sells them.
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Sour cream
- Heavy cream
- Chicken broth
- Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your favorite)
- Bacon, cooked and crumbled
- Ranch seasoning mixture (or a store-bought ranch packet)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare the chicken: In a skillet over medium high heat, add your olive oil, cubed chicken, and salt. Cook for approximately 10 minute, or until chicken is cooked through. Set aside.
- Steam the broccoli: Place cut broccoli florets in a microwave safe bowl with 1 cup of water. Cover with a damp paper towel and microwave on high for approximately 3 minutes or until the broccoli is fork tender. Don’t overcook! Drain the broccoli and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Spray a 13x9 inch oven safe pan with avocado oil.
- Make the sauce: In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, chicken broth, and ranch seasoning mixture. Let mixture simmer, stirring every few minutes, until cream cheese is melted and mixture is creamy and smooth. Add 1 cup of shredded cheese. Stir until cheese is melted and incorporated into mixture.
- Layer the casserole: Place chicken on bottom of dish, spreading evenly to cover bottom of dish. Top with evenly spread out broccoli and crumbled bacon, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the bacon.
- Combine and top: Pour cream cheese/sour cream mixture on top and stir to combine. Top casserole with remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese and reserved bacon crumbles.
- Bake: Bake, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until heated throughout. Then finish by broiling the surface until the cheese and bacon are golden brown.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until the casserole is bubbling.
- Remove from the oven and serve with your favorite sides or as is.
Tips and Variations
- Cheese Variations: Feel free to use any cheese you have on hand or like!
- Vegetable Substitutions: If you don’t have broccoli or someone doesn’t like it, you can easily switch it out for another keto-friendly precooked vegetable. You can add mushrooms and/or riced cauliflower to the casserole.
- Add a crunchy topping: You can add a crunchy topping using keto bread to make breadcrumbs, mixed with butter, then sprinkled over top or keto cracker crisps crumbled on top.
- Spice it up: Add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a touch of heat.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
This Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is an excellent make-ahead meal.
- Refrigerate Before Baking: Assemble the casserole in a dish or skillet, as stated in the directions. Then, before you bake, cover with aluminum foil and refrigerate. Bake the casserole within 1-2 days.
- Freeze Before Baking: Prepare the casserole as stated. Before baking, transfer everything to a freezer-safe dish and cover with plastic wrap and foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the fridge and bake the next day.
- Store Leftovers: You could also bake fully and then store leftovers in the refrigerator in a sealed container.
Serving Suggestions
This casserole is hearty and filling enough to be enjoyed as a complete meal on its own. However, if you're looking to add some variety, consider serving it with a side salad or some roasted vegetables.
Nutritional Information
(Note: Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is calculated with the assistance of a third party service. Values are approximate, can’t be guaranteed, and should be considered as estimates only. Values differ according to types and brands of foods used. When used in a recipe, erythritol has been removed from the carb count as it is a sugar alcohol.)
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
(Nutrition in the chart is for 6 servings. Nutrition is provided as a courtesy only.)
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