This Lazy Keto Chicken Parmesan Casserole is delicious and super easy to make without sacrificing flavor. This family-friendly, and kid-approved easy keto recipe is perfect for a low carb diet.
Lazy Keto Chicken Parmesan
I have been craving Italian food, especially Chicken Parmesan. Since I spend my days chasing toddlers, homeschooling, and running a business, I prefer easy keto recipes for dinner. Many days I throw chicken breasts in the crockpot in the mornings with a little chicken broth not having a clue what I will end up making later that day.
I made this delicious Italian casserole with a low carb marinara sauce for an easy keto-friendly meal. You could make this Lazy Low Carb Chicken Parmesan start to finish in the crockpot, but the juices from the chicken slow-cooking tend to make the marinara sauce a bit water. I prefer to make a casserole as the taste of the chicken, tomato sauce, and mozzarella and parmesan cheeses baked together is hard to beat.
How to Make Chicken Parmesan Keto Friendly
While this recipe is not the same Chicken Parm you’ll find at Italian restaurants; it’s a fantastic alternative. To make Chicken Parmesan keto-friendly, I used shredded chicken, a low carb marinara sauce, and then served it over zoodles. Zoodles are very low carb and are made by spiralizing zucchini into the shape of noodles.
For the most tender and flavorful chicken, I slow cook chicken breasts in my crockpot all day. I simply cover the chicken breasts with chicken broth and salt and pepper. Then, at dinner, the chicken is ready to shred for the base of Low Carb Chicken Parmesan Casserole. Check out these step-by-step instructions for making shredded chicken in the crock-pot. You could cook the chicken in the Instant Pot if you prefer, or grab a rotisserie chicken for convenience.
Tip: To add Italian flavor to the shredded chicken, I sprinkle a little Italian seasoning or garlic powder before adding the marinara sauce.
While I know that homemade is best, I choose my battles. Instead of making a homemade marinara sauce, I used a jarred variety. I have found several flavorful marinara sauces that don’t have any added sugars and are low in carbs. The lowest carb sauce is Rao’s brand. Other options are Mezzetta’s and the ALDI’s marinara sauce. My local Walmart carries both the Rao’s and the Mezzetta’s.
How Many Carbs are in the Tomato Sauce?
- Rao’s Marinara = total carbs 4g
- Mezzetta’s Marinara = total carbs 5g – 1g fiber = 4g net carbs
- ALDI Organic Marinara = total carbs 7g – 2g fiber = 5g net carbs
It’s always best to grate your cheese for Lazy Keto Chicken Parmesan Casserole when following a keto diet. Parmesan and Mozzarella cheese make a fabulous combination in this recipe. Most preshredded cheeses contain fillers to keep the cheese from sticking together, which can add carbs.
How to Make Zucchini Zoodles:
I used a cheap spiralizer to make zucchini zoodles while the Low Carb Chicken Parmesan Casserole was in the oven. There are many larger countertop spiralizers, but I wanted something simple that wouldn’t take up space in my kitchen. I sauteed the zoodles in about a tablespoon of butter with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then, I laid them on a paper towel to absorb excess moisture. You can follow these instructions for spiralizing zoodles.
While this isn’t a traditional Chicken Parmesan recipe, it turned out delicious. There are times I need quick options for dinner, like this recipe. The incredible Italian flavors of this dish shine through, and the ease of preparation made this recipe a keeper.
What goes great with Chicken Parmesan?
I typically make a leafy garden salad with mixed greens to go with this low carb Chicken Parmesan recipe. Other options include roasted broccoli or asparagus for a simple keto friendly side dish. If you miss bread, Keto Cheddar Garlic Biscuits pair perfectly as well.
Keto Diet Followers: How to Bread Chicken instead of Shredded Chicken
If you prefer the standard fried chicken breasts in chicken parmesan, it can still be made keto friendly. In this particular recipe, my focus was easy so I used shredded chicken instead. However, you can make Keto Fried Chicken breasts with that traditional bread crumbs taste with an egg mixture and coconut flour, almond flour, or crushed pork rinds.
More Keto Recipes:
If you love this easy and delicious keto chicken parmesan, check out more low carb recipes below!
- Yummy Low Carb Chicken Casserole
- Low Carb Chicken Pot Pie
- Keto Baked Chicken Fajitas
- Italian Meatball Casserole
What is a good example of a low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet?
If you are just getting started on a low carb/keto, diet research is key. I recommend taking a look at this Guide to Getting Started on Keto. I also post free weekly keto meal plans for inspiration.
How to Make Lazy Low Carb Chicken Parmesan
Lazy Chicken Parmesan {keto / low carb}
Ingredients
- 4 cups cooked chicken breasts, shredded (I made mine in the slow cooker)
- 1 jar of no sugar added marinara sauce (Rao's, Mezzettas, and ALI brand are good choices)
- 3 cups mozzarella cheese
- 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 to 3 zucchinis spiralized
- 1/2 tbsp butter
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 and grease a 13 X 9 casserole dish.
- Place cooked shredded chicken breasts in the bottom of the dish.
- Pour the jar of marinara sauce on top.
- Sprinkle parmesan cheese then mozzarella cheese on top.
- Top with Italian seasoning.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.
- Spiralize zucchini noodles and saute in butter, salt, and pepper for 3-4 minutes.
- Set the zucchini noodles aside on a paper towel for a few minutes to drain off any excess moisture.
- Serve the Low Carb Parmesan chicken on zucchini noodles.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
What are some great Low Carb Chicken Dishes?
Kristy says
Whenever I made zoodles there is always a lot of water that puddles on the plate. Any suggestions for what I am doing wrong?
Kasey says
I drained them first. Veggies have a very high water content so that is pretty normal.
Awarrenkids says
Salt it and let the salt pull the excess water out of the squash before you cook it.
Kasey says
Great tip. Thanks so much!
Ande says
Don’t peel the skin off. It holds the water in. Cook it for only a couple minutes until warm to keep them from getting mushy.
Kasey says
Thanks for the tip!
Kaylia says
How many ounces of sauce do you use?
Kasey says
I’m pretty sure it was a 24oz jar.
Becky says
What is the serving size for this recipe? Looks delicious!
Kasey says
I didn’t measure. I just divided my casserole dish into equal servings.
Dan says
What temperature do we bake this at?
Stacy says
I am looking for the temp as well.
Kasey says
Sorry about that! I have updated the recipe with the baking time. Thanks for bringing that to my attention.
Barb says
Could baked spaghetti squash be used instead of Zoodles ?
Kasey says
It would change the nutritional info but I’m sure you could use it. Let me know how it turns out.