Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

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Last updated: · Recipes developed by Vered DeLeeuw and nutritionally reviewed by Rachel Benight MS, RD · This website generates income via ads and uses cookies.

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A simple one-dish meal, this keto chicken casserole is easy to assemble and practically bakes itself.

Ready in about 40 minutes, it's the ultimate weeknight dinner. And if you happen to have any leftovers, they're great too!

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (1)

I love casseroles because they make my life so easy. You throw a few ingredients into a baking dish, bake, and voila - dinner is ready! Plus they are tasty, and everyone loves them, kids and adults.

This delicious casserole is keto, filling, and so easy to make. If you have precooked chicken (such as this broiled chicken breast), it's ready in just a few minutes! But even if you need to cook the chicken first, this recipe is still very easy to make.

Jump to:
  • Ingredients
  • Instructions
  • Expert tip
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Variation
  • Serving suggestions
  • Storing leftovers
  • Related recipes
  • Foodie Newsletter
  • Recipe Card
  • Reviews

Ingredients

Here's an overview of the ingredients you'll need for making this keto chicken casserole. The exact measurements are included in the recipe card below.

Chicken breasts: You can also use rotisserie chicken, but be sure to remove the skin. It will feel rubbery in a casserole.

Kosher salt and black pepper: If using fine salt, you might want to reduce the amount you use.

For the sauce: Mayonnaise (I prefer mayo made with avocado oil), sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic, spices, and shredded cheddar.

Topping: I like to use scallions and bacon bits.

Instructions

This tasty chicken casserole is the ultimate keto weeknight dinner - easy, quick, and filling. It also has the added advantage of turning boring chicken breasts into something a bit more exciting.

Scroll down to the recipe card for detailed directions. Here are the basic steps for making this recipe:

Cook the chicken. You bake the chicken, then cube it.

Mix the chicken cubes with a creamy homemade sauce.

Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and top it with shredded cheese.

Bake the casserole until hot and bubbly.

Finish the dish: Sprinkle scallions and bacon bits on top for extra flavor and a gorgeous presentation.

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (2)

Expert tip

This casserole is just creamy enough for my taste, and my family likes it this way too. But if you'd like it to be extra creamy, I suggest you increase the mayonnaise and sour cream to ⅓ cup each.

Frequently asked questions

Can I put raw chicken in a casserole?

You could if the casserole will be baked for long enough that the chicken is cooked through. But to be on the safe side, I prefer to precook the chicken, then add it to the casserole.

In addition, the raw chicken will release liquids as it cooks, making the dish watery.

Can you make a casserole without a starchy ingredient?

Absolutely. Although starch is one of the components of a classic casserole, I make low-carb casseroles all the time without any starch, and they come out wonderfully flavorful.

Can I use chicken thighs in this recipe?

Yes. You can use boneless skinless chicken thighs in this recipe. Make sure to trim the fat - its texture won't work in a casserole.

Can I make this recipe without mayonnaise?

Sure. Simply omit the mayonnaise and double the amount of sour cream. It won't be as good - mayonnaise adds extra creaminess and flavor. But it will still be very good.

Variation

If you'd like, you can very lightly steam small broccoli florets and mix them into the casserole before the final stage of baking, making it a complete meal. If you do, I suggest you increase the mayonnaise and sour cream to ⅓ cup each.

Serving suggestions

I usually serve this casserole with a green vegetable, such as steamed broccoli or spicy green beans, to round out the meal.

Storing leftovers

You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for about 3 days. Gently reheat them, covered, in the microwave on 50% power, to avoid drying out the chicken.

However, if you've used precooked chicken in this recipe that has already spent a couple of days in the fridge, you should take that into account when deciding how long you can keep the leftovers.

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (3)
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Recipe Card

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (8)

4.98 from 757 votes

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Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole

A simple one-dish meal, this keto chicken casserole is easy to assemble and practically bakes itself. It's the ultimate weeknight dinner!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Total Time40 minutes mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 365kcal

Author: Vered DeLeeuw

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 4 (8 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts (32 ounces total of raw chicken breasts)
  • Avocado oil spray
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton Kosher Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Sauce:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise (⅓ cup for a creamier casserole)
  • ¼ cup sour cream (⅓ cup for a creamier casserole)
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon fresh garlic minced
  • ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt or ¼ teaspoon of any other salt, including Morton Kosher Salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon dried thyme
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 cup cheddar sharp, shredded, divided

Topping:

  • ¼ cup scallions sliced (green parts)
  • ¼ cup bacon bits room temperature

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking dish with foil and grease the foil. Arrange the chicken breasts in the prepared pan. Spray them with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until cooked through, about 20 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, grease a 2-quart casserole dish. In a large bowl, mix the mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, paprika, cayenne, and ½ cup of shredded cheddar.

  • When the chicken is cooked, remove it from the oven but keep the oven on. Allow the chicken to slightly cool until it’s easier to handle. Cut it into cubes or shred it. Add the chicken cubes to the bowl with the mayonnaise-sour cream mixture and toss to coat.

  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining ½ cup of shredded cheddar. Bake until the cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes. If your casserole dish is broiler-safe, you can broil it instead, 6 inches below the broiler element (not directly below), for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

  • Sprinkle the casserole with sliced scallions and bacon bits. Serve immediately.

Video

Notes

  • If you'd like, you can very lightly steam small broccoli florets and mix them into the casserole before the final stage of baking, making it a complete meal. If you do, I suggest you increase the mayonnaise and sour cream to ⅓ cup each.
  • You can keep the leftovers in the fridge, in a sealed container, for 3-4 days. Gently reheat them, covered, in the microwave at 50% power. If you used pre-cooked chicken, take that into account when counting those 3-4 days.

Nutrition per Serving

Serving: 0.75cup | Calories: 365kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 36g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 606mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 2g

Made this Recipe?

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Disclaimers

Cup measurements refer to the standard American cup, which is 240 milliliters. Most of my recipes are low-carb (or keto) and gluten-free, but some are not. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Recommended and linked products are not guaranteed to be gluten-free. Nutrition info is approximate, and the carb count excludes non-nutritive sweeteners. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them. Please read these Terms of Use carefully before using any of my recipes.

About the Author

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (9) Vered DeLeeuw, LL.M., CNC, has been following a low-carb real-food diet and blogging about it since 2011. She's a Certified Nutrition Coach (NASM-CNC), has taken courses at the Harvard School of Public Health, and has earned a Nutrition and Healthy Living Certificate from Cornell University. Her work has appeared in several major media outlets, including Healthline, HuffPost, Today, Women's Health, Shape, and Country Living. Click to learn more about Vered.

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Review this Recipe or Ask a Question:

  1. Lou

    Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (10)
    This is a very good casserole. It’s similar to “Hungarian” Chicken Paprikash. This would be great with pasta, dumplings, rice, mashed potatoes, or garlic bread. The green onions were a nice addition.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this casserole, Lou! Thank you for the feedback and suggestions.

      Reply

  2. Carolyn Jorgensen

    Is that 4 (8 ounce chicken breast?) 8 ounces each? Or a total of 32 ounces of cooked chicken. I wasn’t clear on this.

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      It's 32 ounces total of raw chicken breasts. Four raw chicken breasts, each weighing 8 ounces. Thank you for this question, Carolyn. I clarified it in the recipe card.

      Reply

  3. Kylie

    Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (11)
    This was yummy. I made the avocado keto mayo - this was easy. I also baked the chicken breast. I added red bell pepper and 1/2 an onion to the casserole. I will make this again. Thanks!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      You're very welcome, Kylie! I like your additions.

      Reply

  4. Esme

    Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (12)
    This casserole is not only easy, but utterly delicious! Vered, the seasoning is perfect, and everyone in the family loved it! I did add steamed broccoli to make it a complete meal, just as you described in the Notes. I'll try some spinach next time to introduce another green veggie. I did cheat because I was short on time, so I used a rotisserie chicken instead of baking chicken breasts. I can't wait to make this again, it's so good! Thank you for this elevated chicken casserole recipe!

    Reply

    • Vered DeLeeuw

      I'm so glad you enjoyed this casserole, Esme! I love using rotisserie chicken in recipes. It makes life so much easier.

      Reply

    • Renee

      Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (13)
      Absolutely delicious! I baked chicken thighs for about 45 minutes instead of chicken breast. I also added steamed broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, and carrot. The kids and husband loved it too!

      Reply

      • Vered DeLeeuw

        How wonderful that the entire family enjoyed this casserole, Renee! I love your additions.

Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole - Healthy Recipes Blog (2024)

FAQs

What part of chicken is best for keto diet? ›

Chicken thighs (with the skin on) are perfect for when you're on the ketogenic diet. The meat is a little richer and fattier than breast meat, plus keeping the skin on ups the fat count.

How does Jamie Oliver make chicken casserole? ›

Add the chicken, celeriac, parsnips and potatoes to the pan. Stir in the Marmite, add a good grinding of black pepper and stir to coat. Pour in the hot stock, bring to the boil, then turn the heat down to low. Crumple up and wet a piece of greaseproof paper, then open it out and place on top of the stew.

What do you serve with chicken casserole? ›

You can serve this tasty slow cooker chicken casserole with:
  • the Best Mashed Potatoes.
  • Green Beans or Collard Greens.
  • Fresh Homemade Bread for dunking.
  • Classic Jacket Potatoes.
  • Sauteed Potatoes.
  • Good old Roast Potatoes also work really well.
Aug 18, 2020

Is rotisserie chicken keto? ›

Yes, rotisserie chicken is keto-friendly. It's a carb-free option and a great source of protein (20-25 grams of protein per portion size). But you need to be careful about the part of the whole chicken you eat since some options have a high-fat content (mostly from saturated fats).

Which cheese is best for keto? ›

You can eat high fat foods like cheese on the Keto diet. Cheddar, Gouda, goat cheese, and blue cheese are the best to consider. Cheese to avoid on Keto are cottage cheese and low fat and processed varieties.

Can you eat too much chicken on keto? ›

If you're embarking on a ketogenic lifestyle, you should know that you actually can't eat a ton of meat on the keto diet. In fact, eating too much protein can kick you out of ketosis, so while meats are definitely okay in moderation on a keto diet, they shouldn't be its number one staple.

What is the key to making a good casserole? ›

  1. Choose the right baking dish. If you're all about the crunchy topping, use a shallow dish. ...
  2. Undercook your pasta. ...
  3. Drain your meat. ...
  4. Beware of mushy vegetables. ...
  5. Know your cheeses. ...
  6. Master the art of casserole assembly. ...
  7. Don't skip the topping. ...
  8. Make it now, but bake it later.
Nov 1, 2021

What thickens chicken casserole? ›

The three main thickening agents for gravies are flour, cornflour and arrowroot. The first two are normally used in savoury dishes while arrowroot tends to be used in sweet dishes – that said, arrowroot will work in a savoury dish as it has no flavour.

What binds a casserole together? ›

The key to a good casserole is the sauce or broth that binds those ingredients together as they bubble in the oven, allowing the flavors to meld together into a harmonious, comforting meal. This can be something as simple as the McCormick Brown Gravy Mix used in this tasty Hamburger Casserole dish.

Which herbs go well with chicken? ›

5 Best Herbs To Use For Chicken
  • Basil. Basil is a perfect herb to use in many chicken dishes. ...
  • Oregano. Used widely, dried oregano is related to the mint. ...
  • Rosemary. When it comes to chicken, using rosemary is a perfect collaboration. ...
  • Thyme. Thyme's flavour profile is a delicate herb to add to your chicken dish. ...
  • Tarragon.
Jun 28, 2022

What does a casserole need? ›

Casseroles are made by combining a variety of starches, meats, vegetables, and other ingredients, sometimes raw and sometimes cooked, into the dish and baking them in a casserole dish.

What else can you use a casserole dish for? ›

Not only can they be used for casseroles, but they can also double up as a frying pan for meats and veggies, making them perfect for a kitchen with limited space.

Can I eat eggs everyday on keto? ›

Eggs are keto-friendly and safe to eat when you're on the ketogenic diet. Eggs are low in carbs while containing high amounts of protein and healthy fats. You can have 6 to 7 eggs every day while on the keto diet.

Is KFC chicken allowed in keto? ›

Sure. Indeed, you can eat anything, so long as you track your net carbs (total carbs minus dietary fiber) and stay within your limits. As this site reports, KFC Original Recipe Chicken Breast Nutrition Facts show that one serving has 9gm carbs and 2g dietary fiber, so only 7g net carbs.

How many chicken can I eat on keto? ›

"With a keto diet, the breakdown is approximately 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates." For example, a woman who weighs 150 pounds and is moderately active is recommended to eat 25 grams of carbs (think one medium sized apple!), 86 grams of protein (a little over three 3 oz chicken breasts) ...

Are chicken thighs or breasts better for keto? ›

If lower calorie foods are preferable to you, chicken breasts are the way to go because thighs contain over 30% more calories (per Calories Info). Upping your fats for keto? Thighs have breasts beat by nearly 65%.

How many pieces of chicken can I eat on keto? ›

"With a keto diet, the breakdown is approximately 75 percent fat, 20 percent protein and 5 percent carbohydrates." For example, a woman who weighs 150 pounds and is moderately active is recommended to eat 25 grams of carbs (think one medium sized apple!), 86 grams of protein (a little over three 3 oz chicken breasts) ...

What is the healthiest part of chicken for weight loss? ›

The chicken breast is lean and has the most protein by weight, making it ideal for people who want to lose weight, maintain muscle mass and improve recovery. Fattier cuts like the thigh, drumstick and wings have more calories, which make them better for people wanting to build muscle or gain weight.

What chicken part is best for cutting diet? ›

If your main aim is weight loss, then the best type of chicken you can opt for is- skinless, boneless chicken breast. Do you know that 3-ounce serving of skinless, boneless chicken breast provides just 140 calories, a whopping 26 grams of protein, and just 3 grams of fat?

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