This Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole is your new go-to for a healthy, satisfying, and easy-to-prepare meal that perfectly fits a low-carb lifestyle. It’s a wonderfully comforting dish that’s both budget-friendly and incredibly flavorful, making it ideal for busy weeknights or when you’re craving something wholesome without the carbs.
Key Ingredients for Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded or diced
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup chicken broth (low sodium preferred)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite blend of low-carb cheese)
- 1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- Optional Toppings: additional shredded cheese, chopped fresh parsley, a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.
How to Make Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole
Get ready for a dinner that’s as simple as it is satisfying! This Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole comes together quickly, thanks to its straightforward preparation and wholesome ingredients. In about 15 minutes of prep time and 30 minutes of baking, you’ll have a rich, creamy, and flavorful dish that’s surprisingly easy to make and tastes incredibly decadent.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prep Chicken: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you haven’t already, cook and shred or dice your chicken. You can bake, boil, or use leftover rotisserie chicken. Ensure it’s cooled enough to handle.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large oven-safe skillet or a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
- Create the Creamy Sauce Base: Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet, stirring it with the onions and garlic until it begins to melt. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and chicken broth until smooth and well combined.
- Season and Flavor: Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Remember that the cheese will add saltiness, so be mindful of how much salt you add initially.
- Incorporate Chicken and Broccoli: Add the shredded or diced chicken and the broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir everything together until the chicken and broccoli are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.
- Add Cheese and Bake: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet.
- Bake to Perfection: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden brown.
- Rest and Serve: Once removed from the oven, let the Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with additional cheese, fresh parsley, or red pepper flakes if desired.
Why You’ll Love This Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole
You’re going to fall head over heels for this Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole! Its lusciously creamy sauce, combined with tender chicken and vibrant broccoli, creates a symphony of flavors and textures that’s incredibly satisfying. Plus, making this comforting dish at home is significantly kinder to your wallet than choosing takeout, offering a delicious and healthy meal without breaking the bank. The best part? It’s incredibly versatile; feel free to swap out the cheddar for mozzarella or Gruyère, or add other low-carb veggies like spinach or mushrooms for a personalized touch.
Imagine digging into a warm, comforting bowl of this casserole – it’s the ultimate comfort food without the carb guilt. Unlike lighter chicken dishes, this casserole delivers a rich, decadent experience that satisfies cravings and keeps you feeling full and happy. Compared to a traditional chicken pot pie, this low-carb version skips the heavy pastry crust and instead focuses on a velvety smooth sauce, making it a much healthier alternative that doesn’t compromise on taste. Don’t wait another minute; whip up this Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole tonight and discover your new favorite weeknight meal!
Storing and Reheating Tips
Storing Leftovers:
Properly stored, your Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Allow the casserole to cool completely at room temperature before transferring it to an airtight container. For best results, divide larger portions into smaller containers to ensure even cooling and easier reheating.
Reheating:
To reheat individual portions:
- Microwave: Cover the container with a microwave-safe lid or damp paper towel and reheat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, stirring halfway through, until heated through.
- Oven: Place the desired portion in a small oven-safe dish, cover loosely with foil, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
Freezing for Future Meals:
This casserole freezes beautifully for up to 2-3 months. Once cooled completely, portion the casserole into freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty aluminum foil. Ensure each portion is well-wrapped to prevent freezer burn.
To reheat from frozen:
- Refrigerator Thaw (Recommended): Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat as directed above for refrigerated leftovers.
- Direct Oven Reheat: You can bake directly from frozen by covering the dish tightly with foil and baking at 350°F (175°C) for 45-60 minutes, or until heated through. You may want to remove the foil for the last 10-15 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and get slightly crispy.
Final Thoughts
This Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole truly delivers on comfort and flavor without the carb overload. It’s a simple, satisfying dish that’s perfect for making your weeknights a little brighter and your meals a lot healthier. Give it a try today – you won’t be disappointed!
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If you haven’t already, cook and shred or dice your chicken. You can bake, boil, or use leftover rotisserie chicken. Ensure it’s cooled enough to handle.
- In a large oven-safe skillet or a Dutch oven over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the chopped onion and cook until softened and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 medium onion, finely chopped, 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Reduce the heat to low. Add the softened cream cheese to the skillet, stirring it with the onions and garlic until it begins to melt. Gradually whisk in the heavy cream and chicken broth until smooth and well combined.8 ounces cream cheese, softened, 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup chicken broth
- Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings as needed. Remember that the cheese will add saltiness, so be mindful of how much salt you add initially.1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Add the shredded or diced chicken and the broccoli florets to the skillet. Stir everything together until the chicken and broccoli are evenly coated in the creamy sauce.1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cooked and shredded or diced, 1/2 cup chopped broccoli florets
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the mixture in the skillet.1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and slightly golden brown.
- Once removed from the oven, let the Creamy Low Carb Chicken Casserole rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the sauce to thicken slightly and makes it easier to serve. Garnish with additional cheese, fresh parsley, or red pepper flakes if desired.additional shredded cheese, chopped fresh parsley, red pepper flakes