Keto Chicken Spinach Casserole: A Creamy, Low-Carb Delight

This article explores various keto chicken spinach casserole recipes, offering a comprehensive guide to creating a delicious and satisfying low-carb meal. Whether you're a seasoned keto enthusiast or just starting your journey, you'll find a recipe here to suit your taste and preferences.

Introduction

Keto chicken spinach casserole is a popular dish for those following a ketogenic diet. It combines the rich flavors of chicken and spinach with creamy, cheesy goodness, all while remaining low in carbohydrates. This dish is not only delicious but also packed with nutrients, making it a healthy and satisfying meal option.

Recipe Variations

Several variations of keto chicken spinach casserole exist, each with its unique twist. Here are a few popular options:

Creamy Chicken Spinach Bake

This recipe is a simple and straightforward way to enjoy the classic combination of chicken and spinach.

Ingredients:

• Diced chicken
• Fresh baby spinach
• Cream cheese
• Shredded mozzarella
• Sour cream
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Coat a baking dish with cooking spray.
2. Spread the chicken in the dish.
3. Layer the spinach over the top, keeping it as flat as possible.
4. In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, mozzarella, sour cream, and garlic. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Spoon the mixture on top of the spinach.
6. Cover with kitchen foil and bake for 20 minutes.
7. Remove the foil and top with more mozzarella. Bake until golden and bubbly.

Spinach Artichoke Chicken Casserole

Inspired by the popular spinach artichoke dip, this casserole adds tender, juicy chicken for a hearty and flavorful meal.

Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers

Ingredients:

• Cooked chicken (rotisserie chicken works well)
• Frozen spinach
• Artichoke hearts (plain, not marinated)
• Cream cheese
• Sour cream
• Heavy cream
• Mayonnaise
• Garlic
• Salt and pepper
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Add the cream cheese, sour cream, heavy cream, mayonnaise, garlic, salt, and pepper to a large mixing bowl. Mix until combined.
3. Add in the chicken, spinach, and artichoke hearts.
4. Mix well, then pour into a baking dish that has been sprayed with nonstick spray.
5. Top with the shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 20 minutes.
6. Increase the temperature to 400°F and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is slightly golden and bubbly.
7. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

Keto Lady Chicken Bacon Spinach Casserole

This recipe adds the smoky flavor of bacon to the mix, creating a truly irresistible casserole.

Ingredients:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• Bacon, cooked and crumbled
• Fresh spinach, chopped
• Heavy cream
• Shredded mozzarella cheese
• Grated Parmesan cheese
• Garlic, minced
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Paprika
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the chicken pieces in a large skillet over medium heat until browned and cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika.
3. Add the chopped spinach to the skillet. Cook until the spinach is wilted.
4. In a separate bowl, mix the heavy cream with minced garlic. Pour this mixture over the chicken and spinach. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Transfer the chicken, spinach, and cream sauce mixture into a casserole dish. Sprinkle crumbled bacon over the top.
6. Evenly sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top of the casserole.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown on top.

Creamy Spinach Chicken Bake (Quick & Easy)

This recipe focuses on speed and convenience, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients:

• Chicken thighs, thin, boneless, and skinless
• Avocado oil
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Black pepper
• Salt
• Paprika
• Red pepper flakes
• Cream cheese, softened
• Fresh spinach
• Shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Marinate the chicken in a freezer bag with avocado oil, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, pepper, salt, paprika, and red pepper flakes.
2. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F and coat a baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. While the oven preheats, wilt the spinach in a pan on the stovetop with avocado oil.
4. Transfer the marinated chicken to the prepared baking pan.
5. Spread softened cream cheese atop chicken pieces and then lay spinach atop cream cheese.
6. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella on top.
7. Bake until chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 20-22 minutes.
8. Garnish with pepper and paprika, then serve.

One Pot Creamed Spinach Chicken (Paleo & Whole30 Friendly)

This recipe caters to those following paleo or Whole30 diets, offering a dairy-free alternative that doesn't compromise on flavor.

Ingredients:

• Chicken
• Oil or ghee
• Onions
• Garlic
• Almond milk-based cream cheese (Kite Hill brand recommended)
• Broth
• Lemon juice
• Mustard
• Nutritional yeast (optional)
• Spinach
• Salt and pepper

Instructions:

1. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add oil or ghee to the skillet, then add the chicken in a single layer. Cook until browned and cooked through.
2. Lower the heat and add the remaining oil. Add the onions and cook until translucent, then add the garlic and cook another 45-60 seconds.
3. Add in the cream cheese, broth, lemon juice, and mustard. Stir in the nutritional yeast if using. Whisk well to combine as you cook for 60 seconds.
4. Stir in the spinach and cook just until it wilts, then season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Return the cooked chicken back to the skillet and let simmer for one minute to heat through, then remove from heat and serve immediately.

Keto Creamed Spinach and Chicken Casserole

This recipe emphasizes the rich and creamy nature of the dish, making it a true comfort food.

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts or thighs (cooked)
• Fresh spinach
• Cream cheese
• Parmesan cheese
• Heavy whipping cream
• Spices (optional, for bolder flavor)

Instructions:

1. Layer all the ingredients into a casserole dish.
2. Pour the heavy whipping cream into the skillet, whisking as you do.
3. Top with cheese.
4. Bake until golden and bubbly.

Tips and Variations

• Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese. Sharp cheddar, Parmesan, or a blend of cheeses can add unique flavors to your casserole.
• Spinach: While fresh spinach is often recommended for its flavor and texture, frozen spinach can be used as a convenient alternative. Be sure to thaw and drain it thoroughly to remove excess moisture.
• Chicken: Cooked chicken, such as rotisserie chicken or leftover chicken, is a great time-saver. You can also use chicken breasts or thighs, cooked to your preference.
• Vegetables: Add other vegetables to your casserole for added flavor and nutrition. Mushrooms, onions, bell peppers, or sun-dried tomatoes are all excellent choices. Consider adding Mediterranean flavors like sun-dried tomatoes, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese.
• Herbs and Spices: Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor of your casserole. Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes can add depth and complexity to the dish.
• Make-Ahead: This casserole can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to three days before baking.
• Storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
• Reheating: If frozen, allow the chicken bake to thaw overnight in the fridge. Then, to reheat, bake in the oven at 350 degrees F for 15-25 minutes or in the microwave until heated throughout, about 1-2 minutes, depending on the wattage of your microwave.

Serving Suggestions

Keto chicken spinach casserole is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side dish to round out the meal. Some popular options include:

Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Green beans
• Keto air fryer fritters
• Keto broccoli salad
• Buffalo cauliflower hummus with celery sticks

Nutritional Information

Nutritional information varies depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. However, this dish is generally low in carbohydrates and high in protein and healthy fats, making it a suitable option for those following a ketogenic diet.

Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto

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