Keto Mexican Cheesy Chicken Skillet
Keto Mexican Cheesy Chicken Skillet is going to become one of your all-time favorites! It is delicious, full of flavor, and super simple since it’s a one-pan meal. You can have the entire dish on the table in minutes, and clean up is a snap.
Keto Mexican Cheesy Chicken Skillet
I don’t know about you, but we love Mexican dishes. Thankfully, there are tons of options for keto-friendly Mexican food recipes with incredible flavor. We haven’t felt deprived since we started following a keto diet.
Is Mexican cuisine keto?
While your favorite Mexican style recipes might not be keto due to their high carb count from beans, rice, and tortillas, there are ways you can make dishes that are low carb and delicious. One easy substitute for rice is riced cauliflower. You can also enjoy taco meat and fajitas on a bed of lettuce instead of tortillas, which drastically reduce the carb count.
To reduce the carb count in this particular recipe, I used riced cauliflower, and there are no flour or corn tortillas. There are only 4g net carbs per serving in this recipe. I’ve included the step by step recipe below with pics if visuals are helpful. Make sure to check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full printable recipe and instructions.
INGREDIENTS FOR MAKING KETO MEXICAN SKILLET WITH CHEESY CHICKEN
- Butter: Used to saute the green peppers for added fat and flavor
- Veggies: Trust me, you want to include the onions, peppers, and garlic in this dish. They add flavor!
- Chicken: The chicken is cooked beforehand in the slow cooker, so feel free to use whatever chicken you have on hand for this recipe or pick up a rotisserie one at the grocery store.
- Rotel Tomatoes: I love using these tomatoes for this recipe because it adds a lot more spice and punch than normal diced tomatoes.
- Cauliflower: You won’t be using rice in this dish; it’s cauliflower time!
- Taco Seasoning: Try my homemade version linked in this post for incredible flavor and fewer carbs than the store-bought seasoning packets.
- Chicken Broth: This creates a rich and flavorful base for the dish.
STEPS FOR MAKING KETO MEXICAN SKILLET WITH CHEESY CHICKEN
Step 1: Slow cook the chicken in a bit of chicken broth with salt and pepper. When the chicken is done, saute the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic in butter to help release the flavors. Check out these step-by-step instructions for how to make shredded chicken in the crock-pot.
Tip: Although I love my cast iron skillet, you could use any other kind of skillet. Cast Iron is very affordable and last forever, unlike other skillets that I end up replacing once a year. This Lodge Cast iron Skillet on Amazon is a great price.
Step 2: Add Rotel to the pan. Rotel is a brand name for a 10oz can of diced tomatoes with green chilis.
Step 3: Add a bag of riced cauliflower. I use a steam bag of riced cauliflower as it is easier than using fresh. Make sure to steam it first so that it is nice and tender before adding it to the recipe. I don’t normally like steamed cauliflower, but it will take on the taste of the taco seasonings in this recipe.
Can I taste the cauliflower in this Mexican Keto Skillet?
Gosh, I hope not as I don’t enjoy cauliflower. Thankfully, all the spices in this recipe completely tone it down, and I don’t taste cauliflower at all. I love how the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, and veggies help the cauliflower blend in with the rest of this dish. My son, who hates cauliflower and is always suspect of hidden veggies in new recipes, didn’t taste it at all.
Step 4: The mixture will boil down and look like this. Allowing the mixture to simmer and reduce allows the seasoning flavors to infuse the riced cauliflower.
Step 5: Next, add the shredded chicken to the mixture. (Here I show you exactly HOW to shred chicken for recipes like this one!) Then top with the shredded cheese. By the time you add the chicken and cheese to this Cheesy Mexican Skillet, you won’t even remember the riced cauliflower. I prefer to use cheddar cheese and Monterey Jack, but feel free to switch it up. I also grate cheese to avoid the fillers added to pre-shredded.
Step 6: Continue simmering in a skillet over medium-high heat until the cheese melts.
Tip: If you are making this ahead of time for meal prep, you could pour it into a baking dish before the cheese melts then rewarm later in the oven to melt the cheese.
How do I store Keto Mexican Cheesy Chicken Skillet?
This low carb Mexican recipe tastes even better as leftovers as it gives more time for all the flavors to mesh. It can be stored in the fridge for 3 to four days. You could also freeze for up to 6 months in a freezer-safe container.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for meal prep?
Absolutely! Follow the steps in the recipe up to adding the freshly grated cheese. Instead of melting the cheese on the stove, pour into a casserole dish and cover with aluminum foil. You can store in the fridge for up to 1-2 days. When you are ready to enjoy the casserole, allow the dish to come to room temperature then pop in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes covered with foil until it is hot and bubbly. You can also pop it in the oven right out of the fridge, but it may take a few more minutes to bake.
You can also freeze at the same point. Allow to cool first, then pour into a freezer-safe casserole dish. I often use disposable aluminum pans. Wrap with aluminum foil and freeze. To heat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake in a 350-degree oven covered with foil until hot and bubbly. It may take a little longer than 20 minutes. Watch to make sure it doesn’t burn.
Tips for Making Keto Cheesy Mexican Skillet Chicken
I have found that one skillet or casserole type meals are quick and easy, especially when both of my big kids are playing sports. I appreciate that there aren’t many dishes to clean, and I don’t have to spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Below I’ve included a few tips I’ve found that further simplify this recipe.
- Slow Cooker – By cooking the chicken in my slow cooker first, it cuts back on cooking time so that I can have dinner on the table in a snap. I simply place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a slow cooker and cover with chicken broth and salt/pepper. Then, I slow cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- >Instant Pot – If you don’t have a slow cooker or forgot to throw it in earlier in the day, you can find detailed instructions to cook chicken in the Instant Pot here.
- Grab a rotisserie chicken while you are out and shred that instead, it will drastically cut back on preparation time.
- Substitute Ground Beef – Out of chicken, but still want to make this recipe? No problem; you can easily sub ground beef and beef broth instead of chicken and chicken broth for a nice variation. If you keep ground beef already browned in the freezer like me, you can have dinner on the table in a flash.
Topping Ideas for this recipe
There are so many options to garnish Keto Cheesy Mexican Skillet Chicken. I’ve included a few ideas below.
- onions
- lettuce
- sour cream
- sliced grape tomatoes
- cilantro
- salsa
- sliced avocado
- guacamole
- jalapenos
More Keto Mexican Recipes
- Low Carb Chicken Fajita Soup
- Keto Taco Salad
- Keto Baked Chicken Fajitas
- Homemade Low Carb Queso Dip
- Cheesy Keto Nachos with Bell Peppers
- Mexican Taco Casserole (Low Carb)
- Mexican Stuffed Peppers
- Keto Queso Easy Taco Soup
- Keto Taco Cups
- Keto Mexican Cauliflower Rice
- Keto Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Keto Mexican Cheesy Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/3 cup diced onion
- 1/3 cup diced green pepper
- 3 garlic cloves minced
- 2 cups cooked chicken shredded (I prepared mine in the slow cooker)
- 1 can Rotel tomatoes
- 1 12 oz bag steamed riced cauliflower
- 2 tablespoons homemade taco seasoning or taco seasoning packet
- 3/4 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup Monterrey jack cheese
Instructions
- In a skillet, melt butter, then saute onion, pepper, and garlic until softened.
- Steam riced cauliflower in microwave according to package directions.
- Stir to combine then cook on medium/low approx 10 minutes until extra liquid is absorbed.
- Add cooked chicken and stir well. If the mixture gets too thick, add a little more chicken broth.
- Simmer on low covered for 5 minutes.
- Sprinkle cheese on top, cover, and simmer until cheese is melted.
- Optional: Serve with sour cream, cilantro, jalapenos, etc.
Video
Notes
Tips for Making Keto Cheesy Mexican Skillet Chicken
Below, I've included a few tips I've found that further simplify this recipe.- Slow Cooker - By cooking the chicken in my slow cooker first, it cuts back on cooking time so that I can have dinner on the table in a snap. I simply place the boneless skinless chicken breasts in a slow cooker and cover with chicken broth and salt/pepper. Then, I slow cook on low for 6 hours or high for 3 hours.
- Instant Pot - If you don't have a slow cooker or forgot to it in earlier in the day, you can also cook the chicken in the Instant Pot. You can find detailed instructions to cook chicken in the Instant Pot here.
- Grab a rotisserie chicken while you are out to shred as it will drastically cut back on preparation time.
- Substitute Ground Beef - Out of chicken, but still want to make this recipe? No problem, you can easily sub ground beef and beef broth instead of chicken and chicken broth for a nice variation. If you keep ground beef already browned in the freezer like me, you can have dinner on the table in a flash.
- lettuce
- sour cream
- sliced grape tomatoes
- cilantro
- salsa
- sliced avocado
- guacamole
- jalapenos
We loved this meal. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you love it.
Just made this tonight. It was delicious!! My husband loved it. (I forgot the garlic….but it was still wonderful) And I added red kidney beans.
I’m glad you and your hubby enjoyed it!
Just made this! Added half a can of green chilis – delicious!! Next time I might melt a little cream cheese in it too.
Perfect 1 pan meal!
This is delicious and healthy. I was looking for a recipe for my husband and I after starting a keto diet. He is a picky eater and said he could eat this every day. I’ve made both the chicken and beef variation. I prefer the beef and he prefers the chicken. Thank you for this recipe!!
You’re welcome, Angie. I’m glad you both enjoyed it!
Could you prepare all of this in a regular skillet, then transfer to an aluminum baking pan and then top with cheese and melt in the oven?
I don’t see why not
Quick questions – if you use taco seasoning packet – should you use entire packet or only two tablespoons?
You would use an entire packet of taco seasoning if you don’t use my homemade taco seasoning recipe.
It is so delish!!! I baked mine at 350 for 15 minutes after I mixed the cheese in!!!
Perfect! So glad you loved it.
One of the best Keto recipes so far.
That’s awesome! Glad you like it.
Wondering if anyone has froze any leftovers? Making this for hubby and I and thought about freezing some for my elderly FIL to reheat.
Hoping!!!
I have addressed this information in the comments.
I love every recipe you post. I’ve made this one twice beef then again chicken. Both are very different taste experiences. I can’t decide which is my favorite.
I’m so glad you enjoy my recipes.
I did the beef version and it came out amazing such a delicious recipe Thankyou ! Wish I could add my photos ! I used a cast iron pot since that’s what I had and it came out fabulous
You’re welcome! I’m glad you loved it!
This was very good and I will make it again. I also cooked the chicken in the crock pot. ( Andre cooked extra for other recipes) My husband doesn’t like cauliflower but didn’t even realize that the riced cauliflower was in it.
Glad you and hubby enjoyed it!
This looks so good! That cheesy rice combination is so comforting! I love the swap for riced cauliflower!
Thanks for sharing! Does it keep long?
Big hit with the family
Awesome! I’m so glad it was a family hit!