Keto Green Chili Chicken is a recipe that many turn to repeatedly. This dish, featuring smoky chicken smothered in a creamy green chili cream cheese sauce and topped with cheese, is not only simple to prepare but also a crowd-pleasing favorite. This one-pan meal is perfect for those seeking a quick, easy, and flavorful low-carb option.
Why This Recipe Works
This Green Chili Chicken Skillet is a favorite due to its ease of preparation and satisfying flavors. The creamy sauce, the mild spice from the green chilis, and the juicy chicken combine to create a comforting and delicious dinner. It’s also easily customizable to suit different spice preferences and can be adapted for various cuts of meat. This recipe is a very simple one-pan meal that is great for busy nights!
Ingredients Overview
Here's a breakdown of the key ingredients you'll need:
- Chicken: Chicken breasts are commonly used, but chicken thighs, which are more keto-friendly due to their higher fat content, are also an excellent choice. Any boneless chicken will work.
- Green Chilies: Mild canned diced green chilis, with their juices, provide a subtle heat and characteristic flavor.
- Cream Cheese: Full-fat cream cheese is essential for achieving the desired creamy texture. You can use either a block or a tub of cream cheese.
- Cheddar Cheese: Shredding your own cheddar cheese is recommended for better flavor and to avoid non-caking additives. Extra-sharp cheddar adds a delicious tang. Monterey Jack cheese is also a good option.
- Ground Cumin: Cumin adds a warm, earthy note to the dish. For an even more intense flavor, consider grinding your own cumin seeds using a mortar and pestle.
- Smoked Paprika: Smoked paprika, available in both mild and hot varieties, contributes a smoky depth of flavor. Choose the one that best suits your spice preference.
- Sea Salt: Sea salt enhances the overall flavor profile. Kosher salt is a suitable alternative.
- Oregano: Dried oregano complements the other spices and adds a touch of Mediterranean flavor.
- Avocado Oil: Avocado oil, or any other keto-friendly oil of your choice, is used for searing the chicken. Olive oil works too.
- Chicken Broth: Adds moisture and flavor to the sauce.
- Heavy Cream: Creates an ultra creamy and rich sauce.
- Optional Ingredients: Diced onion (yellow, white, or red), shallots, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, lime wedges, avocado slices, sour cream.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Here's how to make this delicious Keto Green Chili Chicken:
1. Preparation:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Alternatively, for the stuffed chicken version, preheat the oven to 425° F (220°C).
- Pat the chicken breasts dry.
- In a small bowl, combine the cumin, paprika, salt, and oregano (or chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, salt and pepper for the stuffed chicken version).
- Sprinkle the mixture over both sides of the chicken breasts, or rub the seasonings all over the chicken.
- If making stuffed chicken, slice the chicken through the middle horizontally to within a 1/2 inch of the other side. Open the 2 sides and spread them out like an open book. Spread the cream cheese on 1 side of the chicken, then add the pepper jack and a few poblano pepper slices. Fold the other side of the chicken over the peppers/cheese, like a book, to enclose the filling. Place the chicken in the skillet or baking dish. Rub with olive oil.
2. Searing the Chicken:
- Heat the avocado oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown. Sear the chicken in the skillet 2-3 minutes on each side until nicely browned, then remove from skillet and set aside.
3. Creating the Green Chili Sauce:
- In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese and chopped green chilies.
- Add your drained chilis, heavy cream, broth, cream cheese to the hot skillet and turn the heat down to low.
- Stir mixture until cream cheese melts completely. Let us know how it was!
- Reduce the heat to medium, and then add the heavy cream to the skillet. Make sure that you are stirring the entire time until the mixture has reduced by half. It should also be thick and creamy. Add almond milk, heavy cream, cream cheese, undrained green chilis, spices and 1 cup of the cheddar cheese. Whisk mixture until it is smooth and cheese has melted.
4. Assembling and Baking:
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the chicken and top with the shredded cheese.
- Place the seared chicken breasts back into the skillet. Stir in shredded chicken and top with remaining cheddar.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center of the chicken registers 160°F (71°C). For the stuffed chicken version, bake 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through.
- Allow the chicken to rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
Variations and Customizations
- Spice Level: Adjust the amount of green chilies or use hot smoked paprika for a spicier dish. For a milder version, ensure you use mild green chiles and smoked paprika.
- Meat Options: While chicken breasts are commonly used, chicken thighs or even thin pork chops work well with this recipe.
- Cheese Variations: Experiment with different types of cheese, such as pepper jack or Monterey Jack, to customize the flavor.
- Vegetables: Add diced onions, bell peppers, or other low-carb vegetables to the skillet for added nutrients and flavor.
- Make it a Casserole: Combine the cooked chicken, cheese, chilies, sour cream, veggies, and seasonings in a large bowl (or right in the skillet). Spread the mixture evenly in a prepared pan and top with the remaining cheese.
Serving Suggestions
This versatile dish pairs well with a variety of side dishes:
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
- Vegetables: Easy veggies like Garlic Butter Mushrooms or Air Fryer Broccoli make this a quick and simple meal. Steamed veggies are also a great low-carb option.
- Cauliflower Rice: Serve over sautéed spinach or cauliflower rice for a complete and keto-friendly meal.
- Comfort Food Sides: Pair with Mashed Cauliflower and a Keto Dinner Roll for a comforting meal.
- Toppings: Fresh cilantro, avocado slices, and lime wedges add a fresh and zesty touch. Cooking and adding a fried egg on top is a great way to boost the protein!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
- Storage: Allow chicken and sauce to cool completely, then place in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 3-4 days. You can store in a freezer safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: When reheating from the fridge, simply microwave leftovers in 30-second increments, stirring the sauce after each blast until reheated throughout. If previously frozen, allow to thaw in the fridge, then reheat in a skillet on the stove. To reheat, it's also recommended putting it in a 350-degree oven for 10 minutes.
Freezing Instructions
Yes! You can put it in individual serving sized containers and keep it in the freezer for up to a month. You can freeze cooked chicken for up to one month in a freezer-safe container.
Meal Prep Tips
This recipe is great for leftovers because it reheats so well! For meal prep, instead of making this ahead of time and freezing, it’s best to prepare this in steps so that it comes together even quicker when you’re ready to eat. On meal prep day, cook and shred your chicken. Then set it aside for this casserole. You could also make the cream sauce and refrigerate up to seven days prior to eating. If these two components are already make, this recipe can be ready to eat in about 15 minutes!
Nutritional Information
This Keto Green Chili Chicken Casserole is the perfect low carb dinner! There are less than 4 net carbs per serving in this recipe. The nutritional information is only an estimate and may not be accurate depending on what brands you use or modifications you make to the recipe.
Other Ways to Serve Keto Green Chili Chicken
- On top of rice with a side of black beans.
- Cut up and served on a tostada shell.
- As a nacho topping.
- Take the filling and use it to fill low carb tortillas.
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
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