If you’re looking for the best keto casserole recipes, look no further. This cheesy keto chicken casserole recipe is going to amaze you. Loaded with creamy cheese, crispy bacon, and tender chicken, it’s a keto lovers dream. Plus, it’s super easy to make and the whole family will love it. This keto casserole recipe from Headbanger’s Kitchen is an easy-to-make dinner that is low-carb and high-fat. It’s perfect for anyone following a ketogenic diet, or anyone just looking for a delicious, hearty meal. So fire up the oven and get ready to indulge in this cheesy keto chicken casserole.
Cheesy Keto Chicken Casserole: A Flavorful Delight for Keto Casserole Recipes
Course: MainCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy4
servings15
minutes20
minutes440
kcal35
minutesWhy This Keto Chicken Casserole Stands Out?
Keto casseroles are one of my favorite things to make. They’re so simple and satisfying! I love making cheesy casseroles like this keto chicken casserole. The combination of creamy cheese sauce, savory chicken, and crispy bacon is just so comforting. This recipe is also really easy to customize to your taste. You can easily swap out the ingredients to make it your own while still keeping it low-carb. I highly recommend giving this recipe a try!
Making this delicious keto chicken casserole is so easy! It’s also one of those recipes that will impress even the pickiest of eaters. This recipe is also a great choice for meal prep since you can make it in advance and just pop it in the oven when you’re ready to eat. Let’s get cooking!
Ingredients for the Perfect Keto Casserole
Bacon: Use streaky bacon with a good fat-to-meat ratio for maximum flavor. If bacon isn’t your thing, you can skip it, though it adds a delightful crunch.
Chicken: Boneless leg meat is recommended to keep the chicken juicy, but chicken breast works too (check detailed instructions on headbangerskitchen.com for breast cooking tips).
Mushrooms: White mushrooms add earthy flavor, but feel free to substitute with bell peppers, broccoli, or spinach for variety.
Cream Cheese: This forms the base of the creamy sauce, giving the casserole its rich texture.
Cheddar Cheese: Shredded or grated, it melts into the sauce for a cheesy, gooey consistency.
Mozzarella Cheese: Sprinkled on top for that golden, bubbly finish.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Adds luxurious creaminess to the sauce.
Seasonings: Salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper for a flavor-packed kick.
Fresh Parsley: Chopped for a fresh, vibrant garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Keto Casserole Perfection
- Step 1: Prepare the Bacon
Dice up a few strips of bacon into small pieces. Add bacon to a cold pan, then cook over medium heat. If you start with cold bacon, the fat slowly renders and you won’t need any additional cooking oil. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick. When the bacon is crispy, remove it with a slotted spoon and set aside. Leave the bacon fat in the pan. - Step 2: Cook the Chicken
While bacon is cooking, cut up boneless chicken leg meat into small pieces. (Kitchen scissors work well if you’re using chicken breast meat.) Toss the chicken into the pan of bacon fat, add salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper, and sauté the chicken until cooked through. The bacon fat adds a lot of flavor to the chicken, and this is one of the best keto casserole recipes for this reason! - Step 3: Add Vegetables and Create the Sauce
Slice white mushrooms (or any other low-carb vegetable of your choice) and add them to the pan with the chicken. As the mushrooms cook they will release water, so sauté until most of the liquid evaporates. Add the cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese. The juices from the chicken and mushrooms will melt the cheese and form a thick creamy sauce. Stir constantly to prevent burning and let it reduce to your desired thickness. Add the heavy whipping cream and chopped parsley. - Step 4: Assemble and Bake
Heat the oven to the highest setting, or turn it on to broil. Pour the creamy chicken mushroom mixture into a baking dish. Top with the crispy bacon bits (important to keep separate to maintain crunch, a signature characteristic of this keto casserole), and sprinkle generously with the mozzarella cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and browned, just a few minutes since the filling is already cooked. Garnish with fresh parsley and serve.
Keto Casserole Recipe
Tips for Customizing Your Keto Casserole
One of the joys of keto casserole recipes is their adaptability. Here are a few ways to make this recipe your own:
Swap the Protein: Try using turkey or pork instead of chicken for a different flavor profile.
Change the Veggies: Bell peppers, zucchini, or asparagus can replace mushrooms for variety.
Spice It Up: Adjust the cayenne pepper for more or less heat, or add herbs like thyme or rosemary for extra depth.
Cheese Variations: Experiment with gouda, Monterey Jack, or Parmesan for different cheesy flavors.
Serving and Enjoying Your Keto Casserole
When this keto chicken casserole comes out of the oven, the cheese is bubbly and melted, the bacon is crispy, and the whole dish looks amazing. You can serve this keto casserole on its own for a complete keto meal, or alongside some cauliflower rice or a side salad. There is so much creamy cheesy goodness in this keto chicken casserole and the combination of the sauce with the tender chicken and salty bacon is absolutely amazing. You could even serve this over pasta for non-keto eaters (though this wouldn’t be low carb), because that is what the recipe tester Dipty did when she made it.
This keto casserole is great for meal prep as it reheats well and does not lose flavor. It is also a great dish to share with family or friends, keto or not, because the flavors in this chicken casserole are loved by everyone.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Casserole Recipe
This cheesy keto chicken casserole is a must-try! The creamy cheese sauce, crispy bacon, and tender chicken are a match made in heaven and make this one of the best keto casserole recipes. Plus, it’s easy to customize by swapping out the mushrooms for your favorite low-carb veggies or adjusting the seasonings to your liking. This keto casserole recipe is also very forgiving, making it perfect for both experienced cooks and beginners.
The rich texture and bold flavors of this keto chicken casserole are so satisfying, you won’t even feel like you’re on a diet. Plus, with just a few carbs and loads of fat, this keto casserole will keep you feeling full and satisfied while indulging in your favorite comfort food. And don’t forget about the crispy bacon topping – it’s the perfect crunchy addition to this delicious dish!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for more keto casserole recipes, this cheesy keto chicken casserole is a great example of what they can look like and taste like! It’s a filling, comforting meal with creamy sauce, crispy bacon and melty cheese. It’s the perfect keto-friendly dinner recipe for you or to share with the family. You can even freeze the leftovers to enjoy later!