Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole Recipe
This BBQ Keto Chicken Casserole Recipe is going to become a family favorite. So delicious and easy to make, you will add this to your keto meal plan regularly!
KETO BBQ CHICKEN CASSEROLE RECIPE
Years ago, we used to order a meal at Chili’s Restaurant that included a chicken breast smothered in bbq sauce, bacon, and cheese. Since we’ve started following a keto/low carb lifestyle, I thought it would make a fabulous dinner. So, last weekend when my in-laws were in town, we went to Chili’s for dinner. I was so excited to order this again, but to my dismay, it’s no longer offered on the menu. Looking back, it is probably a good thing since regular BBQ sauce is so high in carbs.
Instead, our waitress was happy to oblige and asked the kitchen to make me something similar without BBQ sauce. Although it was yummy, BBQ sauce would have made it amazing. Since then, I have worked on a new recipe for a low carb BBQ Sauce using my family’s original recipe that I tweaked. It made such a huge difference.
This BBQ Keto Chicken Casserole style=”font-weight: 400;”> with Bacon & Cheese turned out incredibly delicious, and it was so easy to make! My entire family loved it. You can find the recipe for my homemade low carb BBQ sauce here.
Ingredients:
- Boneless, skinless, chicken breast – I prefer to use chicken breasts, but you could substitute chicken thighs instead.
- Sugar-Free BBQ Sauce – You can buy sugar-free BBQ sauce at the grocery store, but remember to check the ingredients for hidden sugars. Or, better yet, make your low-carb BBQ sauce from my recipe using the link below.
- Monterey Jack And Sharp Cheddar Cheeses – These cheeses will need to be grated. If you want to save a few minutes off prep time, feel free to purchase pre-grated cheese. Keep in mind that pre-grated contains added fillers that can increase the carb count.
- Bacon – Use cured or uncured, but make sure there are no added sugars whichever brand of bacon you choose. You might see sugar as an ingredient, but it is generally used in the curing process. The key is looking for 0 carbs in the nutritional info.
- Spices – The BBQ sauce will provide quite a bit of flavor to this tasty dish, but you will want to add garlic seasoning, salt and pepper for your preferences, and a teaspoon of parsley.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Keto BBQ Chicken
Step 1: Cook the boneless chicken breasts in a slow cooker for either six hours on the low setting or three hours on high. If you prefer, you can cook it in the instant pot for an hour. I like to add garlic, pepper, and salt with a little chicken broth. But you can season it however you prefer. Make sure to check out this post on how to make shredded chicken in the crockpot.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and prepare an 8×8 baking dish by greasing it. Then take the chicken out of the slow cooker or instant pot and chop it up. Try to cut it into large pieces.
Step 3: Place the chicken pieces in the bottom of the greased casserole dish and sprinkle garlic seasoning on top.
Step 4: Then, pour your choice of low carb BBQ sauce on top of it. I prefer my homemade recipe, but you can find sugar free bbq sauce options at the grocery store.
Step 4: Crumble the cooked bacon on top of the BBQ sauce. Then, cover it with the cheeses. Feel free to sub out different kinds of cheese such as Pepper Jack, mozzarella, white cheddar, etc.
Step 5: Bake the casserole in the 350-degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cheese has completely melted. If you like to brown the cheese, place it on the top rack for two minutes.
Step 6: Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle parsley on top as a garnish. Enjoy!
Does it matter what kind of chicken is used?
For keto BBQ chicken, it won’t matter too much which type of chicken you use. Breasts are the most common and easiest to use, but other cuts will work just as well if you prefer them. Chicken thighs will add fat to the recipe since breasts are a leaner cut. When they are cooked in the slow cooker or the instant pot, the chicken will become tender, and you will cut it up into large pieces to make the casserole.
Ways to Enjoy the Best BBQ Chicken Casserole
I roasted asparagus in the oven to go with our Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole, and it was such a delicious meal. It’s relatively easy to make and complementary of many of your favorite Keto sides. But it is also good as a stand-alone dish, especially if you need something to take to a potluck or bring-your-own-dish event. You can bake it ahead of time and know you have at least one great-tasting keto-friendly dish. Southern Green Beans is a nice side, or you could pair the Keto BBQ chicken casserole with other Keto-friendly vegetable side dishes such as air fryer broccoli. You may also serve this alongside my easy keto coleslaw!
Can this be made ahead of time?
Sure, preassemble the casserole ahead of time and place it in the fridge. When you are ready to bake it, take it out of the fridge at least 30 minutes before baking to give it time to come to room temperature. Your baking time might be slightly increased since it has been refrigerated.
Check out These Other Keto-friendly Casseroles
- Low Carb Cheesy Mexican Casserole
- Cheesy Keto Philly Cheesesteak Casserole
- Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole with Broccoli
- Keto Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli Bake
If you aren’t already following my Easy Keto/Low Carb Recipe Page on Facebook, where I post all my new recipes, and follow me on Pinterest.
Other Low Carb Chicken Recipes:
- Chicken Lombardy
- Chicken Pot Pie
- Low Carb Chicken Philly Cheesesteak
- Cheesy Ranch Chicken & Broccoli
- Cheesy Mexican Skillet
- Keto Chicken Pot Pie
- Keto Chicken Fajitas
- Slow Cooker Chicken with Bacon & Cheese
- Keto Crockpot Bacon Ranch Chicken
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Zucchini Boats
- Keto Chicken Salad
If you are just getting started following a keto diet and would like more information, there are tons of fantastic resources. Amazon has several excellent books you may want to check out here.
Sometimes it is hard to believe that we can eat like this and still lose weight.
Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 1 1/8 cup sugar-free bbq sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic seasoning
- 1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese, grated
- 1 cup Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 6 pieces bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 3/4 tsp parsley
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook boneless skinless chicken in slow cooker 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high. (I always add garlic pepper seasoning and salt then cover with chicken broth or water, but feel free to season your favorite way or use a rotisserie chicken.)
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease an eight by eight baking dish. Remove the chicken from slow cooker and chop into large pieces.
- Place chicken in bottom of greased casserole dish and sprinkle garlic seasoning on top.
- Pour homemade sugar-free BBQ sauce on top of the chicken. You could also use your favorite store-bought variety.
- Crumble cooked bacon on top of the chicken and bbq sauce.
- Cover with a mixture of Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheese.
- Bake in a 350-degree oven for approx 15-20 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- You can place the casserole dish on the top rack for 2 minutes if you'd like the cheese to brown. Sprinkle the parsley on top and serve.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
I’m curious as to why it says to preheat oven to350, then in a later step it says to bake in a 325 oven. I’m confused as to what temp my oven is supposed to be!
It was an oversite on my part. I updated the recipe.
Do you have to cook the chicken first? Can you just put it in the baking dish raw and bake it that way?
Yep chicken needs to be cooked first.
A real hit! I added 1/2 cup sauteed red onion. That was a nice addition.
Sounds yummy! Glad you like it!!
What is the serving size? It is currently in the oven cooking 😃
6 equal servings
This is one of my absolutely favorite meals!
Quick question:
Is the nutrition you added based on per serving? My assumption is yes, but thought I would ask to be sure! Thanks!
Yes, it’s per serving.
Love this! Hubby saysall the recipes i make are good, but this one is exceptional!! It is in the oven right now, the 2nd rime in one week. I do add more garlic powder, bacon, cheese ….. but this is soooo good!
I love healthy food like BBQ keto chicken casserole. It would be a perfect breakfast!
Sounds great for breakfast!
I’m trying this in my meal plan. However could I use canned chicken? Trying to use up pantry stock before shopping..
Sure, you can use it.
I JUST REALLY LOVE YOUR RECIPES!
Thank you so very much, Kelly!
Delicious and satisfying 😋
I’m really glad you enjoyed this dish.
Could I just cook the chicken in the slow cooker in the BBQ sauce?
I think it would be watery.
Haven’t made this yet but i was thinking of adding riced cauliflower to help fill us up….good idea or not? Other chicken casserole dishes i would but i’ve never tried it with bbq sauce.
I’ve never tried it with riced cauliflower but I would think it would work.
Made this for dinner and it was great!
Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
This recipe was DEEE-licious !! My hubs scarfed it down like nobody’s business ! I’m going to try this in stuffed peppers, I make something similar with ground beef, bacon, cheddar and BBQ sauce and stuff peppers, this will probably be just as awesome in stuffed peppers.
Glad you enjoyed it! I’m sure it would taste wonderful in peppers.
Loved it ! Definitely a keeper
That’s wonderful!
Excellent recipe!! Even my wife went back for seconds! Easy to make and had the ingredients at home! Thanks so much!
You’re so welcome! Glad you and your wife enjoyed it!
It was delicious. I used a low carb bbq sauce I had bought since I didn’t have all the ingredients to make this bbq sauce. Was still very good!
Glad you enjoyed it. When you have time to make the homemade bbq sauce it will be so much better even!