Are you looking for a delicious, easy-to-make, and keto-friendly chicken recipe? Look no further! Keto cream cheese chicken is a versatile dish that can be adapted to various cooking methods and customized to your liking. It's a weeknight family staple, convenient, and doesn't taste low-carb at all. This article explores several variations of this recipe, including baked, air-fried, slow-cooked, and stuffed options, providing you with all the information you need to create a satisfying and flavorful meal.
Why Cream Cheese Chicken is a Keto Favorite
Cream cheese chicken is a popular choice for those following a ketogenic diet due to its high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb content. The cream cheese adds a creamy texture and rich flavor, while the chicken provides a good source of protein. The addition of ingredients like bacon, cheese, and various spices elevates the dish, making it a flavorful and satisfying meal.
Keto Crack Chicken: The Addictive Casserole
One popular variation is the Keto Crack Chicken, which gets its name from the addictive "crack dip" due to its irresistible flavor profile, this casserole combines shredded chicken, crispy bacon, a creamy ranch sauce, and melty cheese.
Ingredients for Keto Crack Chicken
- 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
Step-by-Step Instructions for Baking Keto Crack Chicken
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F and grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
- Prepare the Chicken: Pound four chicken breasts until ¼ inch in thickness. Sprinkle with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
- Cook the Bacon: Add olive oil to a 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.
- Sear the Chicken: Add butter to the pan with the bacon grease. When hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden. Only sear the chicken until golden; the oven will fully cook it.
- Assemble: Transfer the chicken breasts into the baking dish and pour the pan juices over them.
- Add Cream Cheese Mixture: In a small bowl, whisk together the cream cheese and spice mix until combined. Evenly distribute the cream cheese mixture on top of each chicken breast. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of chicken broth.
- Top with Bacon and Cheese: Sprinkle the cooked bacon on top, followed by the shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake for 15 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese has melted.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve immediately.
Alternative Cooking Methods for Keto Crack Chicken
Instant Pot Crack Chicken
- Cook the bacon on the ‘Sauté’ setting. Set it aside, melt the butter, and sear the chicken.
- Once seared, pour the cream cheese mixture over the chicken, then sprinkle the bacon and shredded cheese.
Slow Cooker Crack Chicken
- Cook the bacon and chicken in a skillet on the stovetop, then add the chicken to the slow cooker.
- Top it with the cream cheese mixture and cook on ‘Low’ for 8 hours or ‘High’ for 4 hours.
- Turn off the slow cooker, remove the lid, and shred the chicken with two forks.
Keto Cheesy Chicken Breast in the Air Fryer
For a quick and easy weeknight meal, try making keto cheesy chicken breast in the air fryer. This method ensures the chicken remains juicy and tender while being topped with a luscious cream cheese mixture.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Keto Cheesy Chicken
- Skinless, boneless chicken breast
- Mayonnaise
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese (or parmesan/asiago)
- Fresh broccoli (or frozen)
- Garlic
- Onion powder
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: Hot pepper flakes
Instructions for Air Frying Keto Cheesy Chicken
- Prepare the Topping: In a mixing bowl, add softened cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, crushed garlic, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix together to combine.
- Chop Broccoli: Chop the broccoli into very small pieces and mix into the cream cheese mixture.
- Prepare Chicken: Place the raw chicken breast on a cutting board. With a sharp knife, cut the top of the chicken in a crosshatch or diamond pattern, making sure the slices don't go all the way through.
- Stuff the Chicken: Divide the cheese mixture and spread evenly on the pieces of chicken, ensuring some of the cream cheese mixture gets into the crevices.
- Air Fry: Spray the basket of the air fryer with nonstick cooking spray. Gently lay the chicken inside and then set the air fryer to 370°F and bake for 15 minutes.
- Check for Doneness: Once the cheese topping is golden brown and the internal temperature is 165°F, it's done. Let it rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Cream Cheese and Spinach Stuffed Chicken
For a more elegant and protein-packed option, try stuffing chicken breasts with a creamy spinach, parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese filling.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients for Stuffed Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Cream cheese (low-fat optional)
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese
- Fresh spinach (thinly sliced) or frozen spinach
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Chili powder
- Italian seasoning
- Olive oil
Instructions for Making Stuffed Chicken
- Make the Filling: In a medium bowl, combine spinach, cream cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, garlic, salt, and pepper until fully combined.
- Butterfly the Chicken: Lay the chicken breasts flat on a sturdy surface. Place one hand on top to hold it in place and then slice 3/4 of the way through the chicken breast (be careful not to slice all the way through).
- Stuff the Chicken: Season the outside of the chicken with chili powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Spoon 1/4 of the cheese mixture into the middle of the cut chicken breasts and fold the chicken so the cream cheese is sealed inside. Use toothpicks to secure chicken if desired.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat a non-stick skillet on medium-high and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Cook for 10 minutes per side, or until the center of the chicken registers 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Rest and Serve: Allow the chicken to rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving.
Keto Cream Cheese Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Basil
This recipe combines cream cheese with sharp cheddar, punchy garlic, herbaceous basil, and salty sun-dried tomatoes for a delicious and flavorful chicken stuffing.
Ingredients for Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Cream cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Basil
- Garlic
- Salt and pepper
- Olive oil
Instructions for Making Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken
- Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and garlic.
- Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken to taste with salt and pepper. Cut a horizontal slit through the center of the chicken to form a pocket.
- Stuff the Chicken: Stuff the chicken with the cream cheese mixture and secure with toothpicks or wooden skewers.
- Cook on Stove Top: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook for 10 minutes per side, or until the center of the chicken registers 160°F on an instant-read thermometer. Allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Air Fry Option: Brush the outside of the chicken with oil. Preheat the air fryer to 375 degrees. Place the chicken in the air fryer and cook for 10 minutes. Flip and cook for another 10 minutes, or until the center of the chicken registers 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
Keto Crockpot Cream Cheese Chicken with Broccoli and Bacon
For a hands-off approach, try making cream cheese chicken in a Crockpot with broccoli and bacon. This recipe is perfect for busy weeknights and results in a flavorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients for Crockpot Chicken
- Chicken thighs or breasts
- Cream cheese
- Onion and chive cream cheese
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Salt and pepper
- Broccoli
- Bacon
- Cauliflower rice
- Parmesan cheese
Instructions for Making Crockpot Chicken
- Combine Ingredients: Place chicken, cream cheese, onion and chive cream cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in the Crockpot.
- Cook: Cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours, or until chicken is cooked through.
- Add Broccoli: Add the broccoli to the slow cooker about 15 minutes before serving.
- Cook Bacon: While the broccoli is cooking in the slow cooker, pan-fry the bacon in a skillet over medium heat. Once crispy, remove the bacon from the skillet and chop.
- Prepare Cauliflower Rice: Cook cauliflower rice in the bacon grease.
- Serve: Dish up about 3/4 cup of cauliflower rice and top with about 1 cup chicken broccoli mixture. Sprinkle with bacon and 1 tablespoon parmesan cheese.
Cheesy Chicken Bake
This easy baked chicken dinner is a lifesaver on busy weeknights! It’s quick, simple, and made with a handful of ingredients that are easy to keep on hand.
Ingredients for Cheesy Chicken Bake
- Boneless, skinless chicken breast
- Cream cheese
- Mayonnaise
- Ranch seasoning
- Canned diced green chilis
- Chopped green onions
- Mozzarella cheese
- Cheddar cheese
Step-by-Step Instructions for Cheesy Chicken Bake
- Prep: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Slice the chicken breast in half lengthwise, so you have thinner more uniform slices of chicken. Place in a lightly greased casserole dish.
- Prepare the Creamy Mixture: In a bowl combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, dry green chiles, green onions, mozzarella and ranch seasoning. Mix well and spread evenly over the chicken breast.
- Top with Cheese: Top with the shredded cheddar cheese.
- Bake: Place in oven and bake 30 minutes at 375 degrees F. Once a meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F in the center of a chicken breast, you can remove from the oven.
Tips and Variations
- Cheese Options: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack, mild cheddar, or sharp cheddar.
- Sauce Variations: For a thinner sauce, mix a little heavy cream, chicken broth, vegetable broth, mayonnaise, or sour cream into the cream cheese.
- Add Vegetables: Incorporate other vegetables like bell peppers, mushrooms, or zucchini for added nutrients and flavor.
- Spice it Up: Add hot pepper flakes or a dash of your favorite hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Make it Ahead: Prepare the chicken ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to cook.
Serving Suggestions
Keto cream cheese chicken can be served in various ways. Enjoy it on a plate with your favorite keto-friendly sides, such as:
- Bacon-wrapped green beans
- Roasted cabbage
- Sautéed zucchini
- Cauliflower rice
- Keto biscuits
- Big green salad
You can also top a hamburger or slider bun for a sandwich or turn it into a wrap with a tortilla.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Reheating and Storing Leftovers
- To Reheat: Reheat the chicken at 350°F for 8-10 minutes or microwave single servings for 45 seconds.
- To Store: Allow leftovers to cool completely, then store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. You can also freeze leftovers for up to three months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto