Hearty Low Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe

Cozy Low Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe for Comfort Nights

Chefs and home cooks adore this hearty low carb chicken casserole that delivers exceptional flavor without compromising nutrition.

Packed with tender chicken and vibrant vegetables, the recipe offers a delightful twist on traditional comfort food.

Each carefully crafted bite promises a symphony of textures and tastes that dance across your palate.

Protein-rich ingredients combine seamlessly to create a satisfying meal that feels indulgent yet health-conscious.

The casserole’s creamy sauce and perfectly seasoned layers provide a warm, comforting experience that transforms an ordinary dinner into something extraordinary.

Loaded with robust flavors and minimal carbohydrates, this dish stands ready to become your new weeknight dinner champion.

Prepare to savor every delectable spoonful of this nutritious and mouthwatering creation.

How to Serve This Casserole for Weeknight Meals

  • Cheesy Comfort Companion: Pair this low-carb chicken casserole with a crisp green salad dressed in a light vinaigrette to balance the richness of the dish.
  • Quick Meal Enhancer: Top individual servings with additional crispy bacon bits or sliced green onions for extra flavor and textural contrast.
  • Meal Prep Magic: Divide the casserole into individual portion containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during the week, storing in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
  • Keto-Friendly Side Strategy: Serve alongside roasted asparagus or sautéed zucchini noodles to create a complete, nutritious low-carb meal that satisfies and energizes.

Casserole Storage After Baking

  • After the casserole cools completely, transfer individual portions to airtight containers for hassle-free refrigeration. These meals will stay fresh for 3-4 days, making weekday lunch prep a breeze.
  • Wrap the entire casserole or portion-sized servings tightly in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Frozen meals maintain quality for up to 2 months, offering convenient meal options during busy weeks.
  • Restore the casserole's original deliciousness by warming in the oven at 350F for 15-20 minutes. For quicker results, microwave individual servings for 2-3 minutes, adding a splash of cream to maintain moisture and prevent dryness.
  • Keep raw chicken and vegetables refrigerated at 40F or below before preparation. Check dairy products' expiration dates and store cream cheese and heavy cream in the coldest part of the refrigerator to maximize ingredient quality and safety.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 523 kcal

Servings: 6

Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole Ingredients

For Protein and Base Ingredients:
  • Chicken: Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken for tender, easily shredded meat that provides lean protein.
  • Cauliflower: Select fresh, firm cauliflower with compact white florets for a low-carb vegetable base that adds nutrition and texture.
For Creamy Sauce Components:
  • Butter: Adds rich flavor and helps create smooth, velvety sauce texture.
  • Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious creaminess and helps bind the sauce together.
  • Cream Cheese: Provides extra thickness and tangy depth to the sauce.
  • Dijon Mustard: Introduces a subtle, zesty kick that elevates the overall flavor profile.
  • Onion Powder: Delivers concentrated onion flavor without adding extra moisture.
  • Paprika: Brings warm, slightly sweet undertones and beautiful color to the dish.
  • Salt and Pepper: Essential for balancing and enhancing all other flavors.
For Cheese and Topping Ingredients:
  • Cheddar Cheese: Offers sharp, bold flavor and excellent melting properties.
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Provides stretchy, gooey texture and mild taste.
  • Parmesan Cheese: Adds nutty, salty dimension and helps create crispy top layer.
  • Pork Rinds or Almond Flour: Creates crunchy topping for textural contrast.
  • Fresh Parsley: Brings bright, fresh garnish and adds visual appeal.

Tools to Prepare This Chicken Casserole Easily

  • Baking Dish (9×13-inch): Essential for assembling and baking the casserole, providing the perfect size and shape.
  • Large Mixing Bowl: Crucial for combining chicken, cauliflower, and creamy sauce thoroughly.
  • Saucepan: Needed to create the smooth, creamy sauce with butter and other ingredients.
  • Cheese Grater: Helpful for shredding or grating the different types of cheese if not pre-shredded.
  • Measuring Spoons and Cups: Important for accurately measuring ingredients like cream and spices.
  • Cutting Board and Knife: Used for chopping garlic and preparing any additional garnishes.
  • Steamer or Microwave-Safe Bowl: Necessary for cooking cauliflower to the right tenderness.
  • Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring the sauce and mixing ingredients smoothly.

Instructions to Make Low Carb Chicken Casserole

  • Warm Up The Oven

Fire up your oven to 375F and lightly grease a baking dish to prevent sticking.

  • Soften Cauliflower

Zap or steam cauliflower until it becomes tender and easily pierced with a fork, then drain and set aside.

  • Craft Creamy Magic

In a pan, melt butter and dance some chopped garlic around for a quick moment. Pour in heavy cream, cream cheese, and a splash of Dijon mustard. Sprinkle in onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until the mixture transforms into a silky smooth sauce.

  • Build Your Casserole

Combine shredded chicken, steamed cauliflower, and your luscious cream sauce in a large mixing bowl. Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Shower the top generously with a blend of cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan cheese.

  • Bake And Finish

Send the casserole into the oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket. For extra pizzazz, blast it under the broiler for 2-3 minutes to create a crispy, bronzed cheese crust. Scatter some crushed pork rinds or almond flour on top for a delightful crunch, and sprinkle fresh parsley to add a pop of color and freshness.

Add-Ins to Switch Up Your Chicken Casserole Flavor

  • Grate your own cheese instead of using pre-shredded varieties for a smoother, more even melt and better texture throughout the casserole.
  • Prepare the entire casserole up to the point of baking, cover tightly with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Simply add an extra 10 minutes to the baking time when ready to cook.
  • Swap chicken for rotisserie chicken, leftover turkey, or even canned tuna for a quick protein alternative that keeps the dish low-carb and delicious.
  • Replace pork rinds with toasted almond slivers or crushed pecans for added nutrition and a nutty flavor profile that complements the creamy sauce perfectly.
  • Mix in additional low-carb vegetables like broccoli, zucchini, or spinach to increase nutrient density and add more color and texture to the casserole.
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Hearty Low Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe

Hearty Low Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe


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4.9 from 18 reviews

  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 7 1x

Description

Savor hearty flavors with this mouthwatering low carb chicken casserole that brings comfort and nutrition together. Creamy textures and simple ingredients create a satisfying meal perfect for health-conscious diners looking to enjoy a delicious dinner without compromising wellness.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie or baked)
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional for extra flavor)
  • 1 small head of cauliflower, cut into florets (or 2 cups broccoli)
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 tsp Dijon mustard
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp paprika
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ¼ cup crushed pork rinds or almond flour (for a crunchy topping)
  • 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Thermal Preparation: Activate the oven to 375°F (190°C) and thoroughly coat a 9×13-inch baking vessel with culinary lubricant.
  2. Vegetable Transformation: Render cauliflower florets tender through steaming or microwave techniques, ensuring complete moisture elimination by thorough draining.
  3. Sauce Crafting: Generate a luxurious cream base by gently melting butter and awakening garlic’s aromatic essence. Incorporate cream components – heavy cream, cream cheese, Dijon mustard, seasoning powders, and essential flavor enhancers. Whisk until achieving a silken, uniform consistency.
  4. Casserole Construction: Amalgamate shredded chicken, prepared cauliflower, and velvety sauce within a spacious mixing receptacle. Transfer the harmonized mixture into the prepared baking dish, creating an even distribution. Lavishly crown the surface with a trio of cheese varieties – cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan – ensuring comprehensive coverage.
  5. Thermal Finalization: Dispatch the casserole into the preheated oven, allowing 20-25 minutes of transformative heating until cheese achieves a molten, effervescent state. Optionally, activate broiler function for 2-3 minutes to create a golden, crisp cheese landscape. Conclude by adorning with crunchy pork rind or almond flour crumbles and freshly chopped parsley for textural intrigue and visual appeal.

Notes

  • Steam cauliflower precisely to prevent mushiness, ensuring it remains slightly firm for better casserole consistency.
  • Allow cheeses to reach room temperature before sprinkling to guarantee even melting and prevent clumping.
  • Substitute chicken with turkey, shredded beef, or plant-based protein for dietary diversity without compromising flavor profile.
  • Adjust cream cheese quantity to regulate sauce consistency – less for lighter texture, more for richer, creamier base.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 7
  • Calories: 350
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 25g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 10g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 8g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 28g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg
William Hawkins

William Hawkins

Founder & Culinary Director

Expertise

  • Modern American and Southern Cuisine
  • Farm-to-Table Practices
  • Restaurant Concept Development
  • Culinary Education and Mentorship​

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, KY

  • Degree: Associate of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Focused on mastering culinary methods and food science, immersive externships, hands‑on training in industry‑standard kitchen labs, and equipping graduates for roles in restaurant operations.

William Hawkins isn’t just a chef, he’s a storyteller through food. From his hometown of Louisville, KY, he’s spent years refining his craft, turning local ingredients into something extraordinary. 

With classical training from Sullivan University and a career marked by innovation, mentorship, and Southern soul, William approaches every recipe with purpose. His kitchen is where old techniques meet fresh ideas, and where comfort food gets a thoughtful, modern twist. 

When he’s not building dishes from the ground up, he’s out gathering inspiration from nature, markets, and the stories people share around the table.

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