Cheesy, with loads of flavor, this low carb chicken casserole is one of the easy recipes you need in your low carb meals repertoire.
When I first went low carb, back in 1998, I had very little options. Atkins was “all the rage” at the time, and the wisdom was “just count your carbs.” Easy enough to do, I could count to 20 all day long.
Low carb recipes were not easily found, as the internet didn’t have facebook, pinterest, and blogs to find recipes. When a cookbook or two that looked interesting was located at the bookstore or library, you snatched it up quick.
Even back then, finding low carb recipes that would actually taste good were few and far between. I remember that most of them called for Splenda and using a low carb flour mix, as almond flour hadn’t gained it’s popularity at the time.
There were chicken casserole recipes, but they really were nothing more than chicken, some veggies and cheese thrown together. Not exactly a casserole. Those take a bit more “ooomph” in my opinion. Something more substantial to hold it all together.
A good casserole dish should have some starch, protein, and loads of cheese to really be a casserole, right? It should also be quick and easy. Except, rice and potatoes are out on the keto diet, as we all know.
This low carb chicken bacon ranch casserole is just the thing you need.
Why is this one of the best keto chicken recipes? Because, it’s quick and easy to make, and it has all the textures of a regular casserole.
Related: If you’re curious if the keto diet can help you specifically live a healthier lifestyle, take this short 1-minute quiz that will tell whether you can achieve the results you’re looking for with keto based on your goals and challenges.
What kind of chicken should I use?
You can use just about any chicken you’d like. That’s the reason that casseroles really became popular in the first place. They were something that used little bits of leftover this and that to create an entirely new meal. Try:
- Leftover rotisserie chicken
- Leftover shredded chicken from tacos, or sandwiches
- Canned chicken
- Chicken breasts
- Chicken thighs
Where does the “Ranch” part come in?
The ranch part comes from the ranch dressing that is traditionally in this recipe is store bought, bottled ranch dressing. Most commercial ranch style dressings are not really keto friendly, as they contain soybean oil.
So, while you could use that, I prefer to use a homemade ranch seasoning mix, sour cream, and cream cheese to get the same effect.
What about the starches in regular casseroles? What do I use in this keto recipe?
Instead of regular white or brown rice, or potatoes, we are going to add cauliflower rice. You can use either frozen, or rice your own fresh cauliflower. When we have cauliflower from our garden, that is my option, but during the rest of the year, buying a bag of premade cauliflower rice is the way to go.
Simply add the cauliflower rice to the casserole, just like you would regular rice. It’s naturally gluten free, and low carb. Cauliflower rice is the perfect carby rice replacement.
For another great chicken casserole recipe, check out this one here.
I don’t like broccoli. Can I use another vegetable instead?
Sure thing! If you don’t like broccoli, or you want to switch things up a bit with this keto chicken bacon ranch casserole, here are some other ideas:
Use cooked, or thawed spinach. Be sure to drain or squeeze out as much water as possible.
- Try sauteed kale or mustard greens.
- Add 2 cups of green beans, frozen or fresh
Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients:
- 8 slices turkey Bacon
- 3 pounds chicken thighs or breast (cooked, cubed or shredded)
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 3 Tablespoons ranch dressing mix (get the recipe here)
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided in 2
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided in 2
- 2 cups cauliflower rice
- 2 cups broccoli
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- In a large skillet, cook bacon to medium crisp. Remove from pan, chop and set aside.
- Using a large mixing bowl, add in chopped chicken, ½ of the bacon, garlic, sour cream, cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, ½ cup of each shredded cheese, cauliflower rice, broccoli and seasonings. Mix well to combine.
- Grease a 9×13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray.
- Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon bits.
- Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes, until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
What is your favorite comfort food? Will you try this low carb chicken casserole? Be sure to let me know what you think!
Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole (keto, low carb)
Ingredients
- 8 slices turkey Bacon
- 3 pounds chicken thighs or breast (cooked, cubed or shredded)
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 4 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 3 Tablespoons ranch dressing mix (get the recipe here)
- 1 cup shredded Mozzarella cheese, divided in 2
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided in 2
- 2 cups cauliflower rice
- 2 cups broccoli
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.In a large skillet, cook bacon to medium crisp. Remove from pan, chop and set aside.
- Using a large mixing bowl, add in chopped chicken, ½ of the bacon, garlic, sour cream, cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, ½ cup of each shredded cheese, cauliflower rice, broccoli and seasonings. Mix well to combine.
- Grease a 9x13 baking dish with butter or cooking spray. Spread the chicken mixture evenly over the dish. Top with remaining cheese and bacon bits.
- Bake in oven for 40-45 minutes, until cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1/12 casseroleAmount Per Serving: Calories: 375 Total Fat: 25g Saturated Fat: 10g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 14g Cholesterol: 178mg Sodium: 830mg Carbohydrates: 6g Fiber: 1g Sugar: 2g Protein: 34g
Zach
Some of Zach's favorite keto resources include:
Perfect Keto: For those who are looking for easy supplements that support a Keto diet, Perfect Keto offers a variety of products that make it easy to stay in ketosis including keto bars, whey protein, and keto nootropics.
KetoLogic: For those who have a sweet tooth, KetoLogic sells keto-friendly chocolate candies with only 1g of net carbs & zero added sugars.
Latest posts by Zach (see all)
- 20 Delicious Keto Mushroom Recipes - December 17, 2019
- Stuffed Peppers Without Rice (Keto-Friendly) - December 10, 2019
- Easy Fudge Balls (keto, low carb, gluten free) - November 20, 2019
Home run for dinner! We used regular bacon, and it turned out great! Thanks you!
Can this be frozen after it is baked?
I have honestly never tried to myself, but if you do, then I would suggest allowing it to thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating. That will help with texture issues that may arise from freezing.
I’m going to attempt this for my wife doing her keto diet. Do I just mix the frozen cauliflower rice in the big bowl? I’m thinking of using regular bacon and perhaps green beans over broccoli but this sounds delicious!
Also how much of the cauliflower rice? Sorry to bug, I’m very wet behind the ears at this kind of thing.
yes, i am sorry that it was not in the recipe originally, but you mix the rice in the bowl with the rest of the ingredients. It is 2 cups of cauliflower rice. I have updated the post to help. Thanks for being here!
I can’t find the ranch dressing recipe on here. Can you help me please? Thanks
here ya go, sorry about that http://easyketodishes.com/keto-ranch-dressing/