Keto ground chicken casserole recipes offer a flavorful, cheesy, and protein-packed meal option that the entire family can enjoy. These low-carb casseroles are satisfying, decadent, and delicious, making them a fantastic family dinner enjoyed by all - even those not following a low-carb or keto diet. Casseroles, in general, are a family favorite across America, and these keto-friendly versions are arguably even better than their carb-heavy counterparts.
Why Choose Keto Chicken Casserole?
There are countless ways to make a keto chicken casserole, and they offer numerous benefits:
- Quick and Easy: Casseroles are designed to get dinner on the table quickly, often requiring minimal prep time.
- Versatile: You can easily adapt the ingredients to suit your preferences and dietary needs.
- Family-Friendly: Even those who aren’t following a keto diet will enjoy the creamy, cheesy flavors.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Keto casseroles make incredible leftovers and are great for meal prepping.
- Crowd-Pleasing: They are a delicious and easy way to feed a crowd without dirtying a ton of dishes.
Key Ingredients and Variations
The beauty of keto chicken casseroles lies in their flexibility. Here are some common ingredients and variations to consider:
- Chicken: Any cooked chicken will work, such as shredded rotisserie chicken, poached chicken, or leftover chicken from another meal. Ground chicken is also a great option.
- Cheese: Cream cheese is often used as a base for the creamy sauce, while shredded cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or Mexican cheese blends add flavor and texture.
- Vegetables: Cauliflower rice, broccoli, spinach, bell peppers, onions, and garlic are all excellent additions.
- Sauce: Common sauce ingredients include heavy cream, sour cream, ranch dressing, cream cheese, chicken broth, and spices.
- Seasonings: Taco seasoning, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika can be used to create a variety of flavor profiles.
- Spice: Green chilies or jalapeños can be added for heat.
Recipe Ideas
Here are a few specific keto ground chicken casserole recipe ideas, incorporating the information provided:
1. Low Carb Chicken Fajita Casserole
This casserole features a flavorful blend of chicken, cheese, and fajita-inspired vegetables.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs shredded chicken
- Onions and bell peppers (a rainbow of colors for added vibrancy)
- Cream cheese
- Taco seasoning
- Shredded cheese
- Coconut oil cooking spray
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13 casserole dish with coconut oil cooking spray.
- In a skillet, sauté onions and peppers until softened. Remove from heat.
- Add shredded chicken, cream cheese, taco seasoning, and 1 cup of shredded cheese to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish.
- Top with remaining shredded cheese.
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown.
2. Easy Mexican Keto Chicken Casserole
This recipe is rich, cheesy, and full of Mexican flavor.
Ingredients:
- Cooked chicken breast (rotisserie chicken works well)
- Cream cheese
- Cauliflower rice
- Salsa (low carb)
- Mexican cheese blend
- Chili powder
- Cumin
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F and spray a baking dish with cooking spray.
- Microwave cream cheese and salsa for a minute or two to soften the cream cheese. Add spices and mix well.
- Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Add to the cream cheese mixture along with the cauliflower rice and half of the shredded cheese. Mix well.
- Spoon into the prepared baking dish.
- Top with the remaining cheese and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown and bubbly.
- Let cool for a few minutes before serving.
3. Cheesy Chicken Broccoli Casserole
This casserole is a comforting and simple one-pan meal with rich, creamy flavor.
Ingredients:
- 4 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded
- 1 pound broccoli, cut into florets
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons better than bullion
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 ounce pork rinds, crushed (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 450 F.
- Bring a pot of water to a boil, add broccoli and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Drain.
- In a large bowl, combine ranch dressing, heavy cream, softened cream cheese, sour cream, and bullion with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Add chicken and broccoli and toss to coat.
- Pour into a 9x13 or 9" round casserole dish.
- Top with cheddar cheese and pork rinds (if using).
- Bake until the cheese has melted and the casserole is heated through, about 30 minutes.
4. Hearty TexMex Inspired Ground Chicken Casserole
Ingredients:
- 2 lbs ground chicken
- 1 diced red onion
- 32 ounces riced cauliflower
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup taco seasoning
- Vegetable oil
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400 F and prepare an 8x8 casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Heat vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced red onions (1). Cook for 6 minutes, or until soft.
- Add riced cauliflower (32 Ounces), salt (1 teaspoon) and pepper (1/2 teaspoon) and cook for about 5 minutes, just until it begins to soften. Add veggies to prepared casserole dish in an even layer. Cover with shredded cheddar cheese (1 cup).
- Heat remaining tablespoon of vegetable oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add ground chicken (2 Lbs) and break up using the back of a spoon. Cook until no longer pink.
- Add diced tomatoes with green chile peppers (14.5 Ounces), water (1/2 cup) and taco seasoning (1/4 cup).
- Cover with the ground chicken mixture.
- Bake until bubbly and golden brown.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto Chicken Casserole
- Use high-quality ingredients: The better the ingredients, the better the flavor of the casserole.
- Don't overcook the vegetables: You want them to be tender-crisp, not mushy.
- Adjust seasonings to your liking: Taste as you go and add more seasoning as needed.
- Use a variety of cheeses: Experiment with different cheese combinations to find your favorite flavor profile.
- Add toppings: Top your casserole with sour cream, guacamole, black olives, or jalapenos for added flavor and texture.
- Freeze leftovers: Keto chicken casseroles freeze well, making them a great option for meal prepping.
- Reheat carefully: When reheating, add a couple of drops of water and loosely cover the dish to help the cheese get melty.
Additional Keto Chicken Casserole Ideas
Here are a few more keto chicken casserole ideas to inspire you:
- Keto Chicken Parmesan Casserole: Features seasoned chicken breast, mozzarella cheese, marinara sauce, bacon crumbles, and basil.
- Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole: Combines chicken, bacon, ranch dressing, and cheese for a flavorful and satisfying meal.
- Keto Chicken Pot Pie Casserole: A crustless version of the classic comfort food, filled with chicken, vegetables, and a creamy sauce.
- Spicy Keto Chicken Casserole: Incorporates ingredients like red bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, chili powder, cumin, and salsa for a fiery kick.
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