If you're a fan of low-carb casseroles and tasty keto chicken recipes, this quick and easy creamy chicken casserole recipe is a must-try. Even the pickiest eaters in your family will love this creamy casserole! This one-pan meal, featuring creamy chicken and mushrooms, combines fresh herbs and simple ingredients for a quick and easy keto meal that can be made in just 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights.
Why Chicken Casserole?
Chicken is a cost-effective meal option that can be prepared in a variety of ways. However, making the same chicken recipes repeatedly can become boring. One-pan meals are ideal because they offer easy clean-up! Using a cast iron skillet will yield the tastiest results. A cast iron skillet sears the chicken well and browns the mushrooms perfectly. The crispy bits made when searing the chicken can be scraped up nicely with chicken stock to deglaze the pan.
Ingredients You'll Need
This easy one-pan chicken mushroom meal requires very simple ingredients:
- Chicken: Any cooked chicken will work. Shredded rotisserie chicken or poached chicken are great options. You can use chicken breasts or boneless chicken thighs.
- Mushrooms: Use whatever type of mushrooms you prefer, chopped to a fairly uniform size. Pre-sliced mushrooms can save time.
- Heavy whipping cream: Also known as double cream or heavy cream.
- Chicken stock or chicken broth: Organic chicken bone broth is a great choice.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure you are using full fat.
- Butter: Olive oil, avocado oil, or ghee will work if preferred.
- Spices and Herbs: Salt, pepper, ground paprika, garlic, fresh herbs, and grated Parmesan cheese to serve, if desired.
- Optional add-ins: Broccoli florets, spinach, bacon bits, scallions, pork rinds.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here are two variations of how to make the Keto Creamy Chicken Casserole:
Version 1
- Season the chicken with salt, pepper, ground paprika, and sprinkle both sides with grated parmesan cheese.
- Sauté chicken in a skillet or pan in hot olive oil until golden brown.
- Transfer the chicken to the casserole baking dish.
- In the remaining oil, sauté chopped onion and garlic.
- When the onion is golden brown and caramelized, add chopped mushrooms and a pinch of salt and sauté until soft and golden brown on the edges.
- Add heavy whipping cream, chicken broth or water, lemon juice, nutmeg, and parmesan cheese. Stir it well and cook for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add it to the casserole and combine it with chicken.
- Bake covered in a preheated oven on 175C/350 for 30 minutes.
- When baked, garnish with parsley and serve with salad and mashed cauliflower.
Version 2
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, and add the broccoli. Cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain in a colander while prepping the rest.
- Heat half of the butter and half of the olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium high heat. Season the chicken tenders and then sear in batches until browned on all sides. Remove from skillet and set aside.
- Add the rest of the butter and oil to the skillet and cook the mushrooms until they are browned and crispy. Add the garlic, herbs and chicken stock and deglaze the pan, scraping all of the good stuff from the bottom of the pan.
- Add the cream and sour cream and simmer until the sauce starts to thicken. Do not boil, as cream could split.
- In a large bowl, combine the ranch dressing, heavy cream, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and bullion with an electric mixer until completely smooth. Add the chicken and broccoli and toss to coat.
- Return the tenderloins to the pan and toss through the sauce. Cook for five more minutes or until internal temperature of the chicken is 165 degrees F.
- Pour into a 9×13, or a 9" round casserole dish. Top with cheddar cheese and pork rinds (if using).
- Bake in preheated oven until the cheese has melted and the casserole is heated through about 30 minutes.
- Add some fresh chopped parsley and grated Parmesan cheese to serve, if desired.
Tips and Variations
- Dairy-Free Option: You can make the creamy sauce dairy-free.
- Add Vegetables: Serve this healthy meal with different vegetables on the side or steam small broccoli florets and mix them into the casserole before the final stage of baking. You can add extra nutrients by adding a cup or so of spinach.
- Make it Creamier: If you prefer a creamier casserole, adjust the amount of cream to your liking.
- Add Spice: Shred some Pepper Jack cheese and sprinkle on top for a little bit of spice.
- Crunchy Topping: For a crunchy topping, make a pork rind panko topping by combining pork rinds, parmesan cheese, and melted butter.
- Deglaze the pan with white wine: Reduce the chicken broth by ¼ cup and instead use ¼ cup dry white wine to deglaze the pan.
- Use an ovenproof skillet: This is a recipe that goes straight from stovetop to oven, so that you don’t have to transfer the mixture to a casserole dish.
- Buy keto ranch dressing: Instead of making your own. Most storebought products are low carb, just read labels carefully.
Serving Suggestions
This keto chicken casserole is delicious on its own or served alongside veggies or bread to bulk up the meal.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Over a bed of cauliflower rice.
- With a side salad.
- With mashed cauliflower.
- With bread.
Make-Ahead and Storage Instructions
- Make Ahead: This easy casserole can be made up to one day ahead of time and cooked just before serving. Assemble all the ingredients in your pan or casserole dish, cover tightly, and store in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking.
- Storage: Store, covered in an airtight container, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can keep the leftovers in a sealed container in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: You can also freeze this after it’s been cooked and cooled completely for up to two months. Freeze in individual portions so you can thaw your serving the night before for an easy lunch meal the next day.
- Reheating: Gently reheat the leftovers, covered, in the microwave at 50% power for 1-2 minutes on a microwave-safe plate. Cover it with a paper towel, so it doesn’t splatter. You can warm the keto casserole in the microwave or in the oven.
Common Questions
- Can I put raw chicken in a casserole? It's generally recommended to pre-cook the chicken before adding it to the casserole to ensure it's cooked through and to avoid a watery dish.
- Can you make a casserole without a starchy ingredient? Absolutely. You can make low-carb casseroles without any starch and they come out wonderfully flavorful.
- Can I make this recipe without mayonnaise? Sure. Simply omit the mayonnaise and double the amount of sour cream.
Nutritional Information
This keto chicken casserole has approximately 3 net carbs per serving. However, nutrition info is approximate. Please verify it independently. The carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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