Cheesy Low-Carb Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
This cheesy low-carb chicken casserole is creamy, comforting, and simple enough for a busy weeknight. Made with tender chicken, broccoli, and a rich homemade cheese sauce, it bakes into a hearty keto dinner the whole family will actually eat.
Everything comes together in one casserole dish, and you can have it in the oven super fast. Serve it on its own or with a simple salad for an easy, satisfying low-carb meal, or pair it with a keto-friendly side.
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Why This Low-Carb Chicken Casserole Recipe Works
Here is why this recipe works and is on repeat in our home:
- Creamy cheese sauce that stays smooth when baked
- Family-friendly flavors with no unusual keto ingredients
- Easy to prep ahead or make with rotisserie chicken
- Naturally low-carb and keto-friendly
Personal Note:
This recipe has been on our dinner rotation for years because it actually works for real life. It’s one of those family-friendly keto meals I can throw together on a busy afternoon and know everyone will eat without complaints. That’s a win!!
Over time, I’ve tweaked the cheese sauce and shortcuts to make it easier and more reliable. This version is the one that comes out perfect every time, and I come back to it again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need for Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole
I am all about simple. Our home is busy with two kids in college and two younger ones. I need quick and easy ingredients that are in my fridge and pantry, which are super important. This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients:
- Cooked chicken: Shredded chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken both work well
- Broccoli: Fresh florets or steam-in-bag broccoli
- Cheese: A combination of shredded cheeses for flavor and melt
- Cream cheese: Creates an extra smooth, creamy sauce
- Simple pantry items
The exact measurements are listed on the recipe card below.
How to Prep the Chicken for this Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole
There are a few different ways you can prepare the chicken for this recipe. Meal prepping works for me, so I like to make big batches of slow-cooked chicken. I store it in individual zippered bags, so I always have pre-cooked protein in the freezer.
Slow cooker: Cook the chicken breasts with broth, salt, and pepper until tender, then shred.
Shortcut option: Use rotisserie chicken to save time.
Expert quick tip: Either fresh broccoli or frozen steam-in-bag broccoli works great in this casserole.
Easy Keto Chicken Casserole Variations
Vegetable swaps: Cauliflower rice, green beans, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts
Cheese options: Cheddar, Mozzarella, Colby Jack, Gouda, or a mixed blend
Crunchy topping: Add crushed pork rinds or homemade cheese crisps before baking
About the Cheese Sauce
The cheese sauce is made with cream cheese so it stays extra smooth and creamy while it bakes. It coats the chicken and broccoli perfectly without separating and makes this casserole rich every time.
Step-by-Step: How to Make This Keto Chicken Casserole
Step 1: Prep the chicken.
Use shredded cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken to save time.
Step 2: Prepare the broccoli.
Fresh florets or steam-in-bag broccoli both work well.
Step 3: Make the cheese sauce.
Warm the cheese sauce ingredients just until smooth, then remove from the heat.
Step 4: Assemble.
Layer the shredded chicken and steamed broccoli in a casserole dish. Then pour the cheese sauce over the top.
Step 5: Bake.
Bake until hot and bubbly. Make sure to let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors to come together.
Optional expert tip: Add crushed pork rinds or cheese crisps for a crunchy topping before baking.
How to Store and Reheat this Chicken & Broccoli Casserole
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3–5 days.
- Freeze for up to 6 months.
- Reheat gently in the microwave or oven to maintain the creamy texture. Try short warming bursts. This will keep the sauce from separating while reheating.
Other Low-Carb Chicken Casserole Recipes:
- Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole
- Keto Pizza Casserole
- Low Chicken Pot Pie
- Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- Chicken Cordon Bleu
Low Carb Chicken Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 lb boneless/skinless chicken breasts
- 2 10 oz Steam bag of broccoli (you may also use fresh)
- 2 tb butter
- 6 oz Philadelphia Cream Cheese
- 1 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 12 oz sharp shredded cheese
- 4 oz mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
- 1 tb garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp parsley
- salt/pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken:Cook chicken breasts in a slow cooker with a little broth, salt, and pepper for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low. Shred once cooked.Shortcut: You may also use rotisserie chicken to save time.
- Prepare the broccoli:Steam fresh broccoli or microwave steam-in-bag broccoli according to package directions. Drain well.
- Preheat oven:Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- Make the cheese sauce:In a saucepan over low–medium heat, melt butter with heavy cream, garlic powder, and ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning. Whisk in softened cream cheese until smooth.
- Add cheeses:Stir in shredded cheddar, mozzarella, and Parmesan, reserving ¼ cup cheddar and ⅛ cup of the other cheeses for topping. Stir until fully melted and smooth.
- Assemble:Layer shredded chicken in the casserole dish, followed by broccoli. Pour cheese sauce evenly over the top.
- Top and bake:Sprinkle reserved cheese over the casserole, then add paprika, parsley, and remaining Italian seasoning.
- Bake:Bake uncovered for 30 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
- Serve:Let rest a few minutes before serving.
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Notes
- Slow cooker chicken: This recipe uses baked assembly, but the chicken can be cooked ahead of time in a slow cooker. Cook chicken breasts with a little broth, salt, and pepper for 3 hours on high or 6 hours on low, then shred before assembling the casserole.
- Shortcut option: Rotisserie chicken works well and saves time.
Do not cook fully in the slow cooker: The cheese sauce is best baked in the oven to maintain a creamy texture and prevent separation.
Nutrition
Is it possible to mix all ingredients together after cooking and then top with the remaining cheese instead of layering and then topping with the remaining cheese?
I’ve only fixed the recipe as is but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work mixing everything together after you’ve cooked it.
I really enjoyed this recipe! It had a little too much Italian seasoning for my liking. But I loved the consistency of the cheese sauce on top and adding cauliflower rice really took it up a notch! I also took the easy way out and shredded chicken from a Costco rotisserie chicken I had on hand. I will definitely make it again and tweak the Italian seasoning 🙂 Thanks so much for the recipe!
Made this one for the first time tonight and it was Delicious!!! I love following your recipes … thanks so much!!! Next I’m going to try and make one of your sweet ones but, a lil afraid since I can’t stomach swerve it gives me an upset stomach. But thanks again for your recipe it’ll definitely be in my circulation of meals 😁
You’re very welcome! Thank you so much for your kind remarks. It really means a lot to me. If Swerve gives you tummy problems, you can certainly try different sweeteners.
Sooooo good! My whole family loved it… even all 4 of our kiddos, which is rare! My husband had the leftovers for lunch the next day and texted me to tell me how good it was. I was honestly a little apprehensive that it would be a bit too rich, but that was not the case. Definitely a keeper!
That’s awesome! Glad y’all loved it.
I made this as instructed. It’s definitely a keeper! Next time I will use minced garlic instead of powder. I always get indigestion from the powder. And our family agreed we want to add dress made bacon bits to the top when when scooping out our serving. We think his will add a nice crunch!
Super easy to make and very tasty!
Fantastic!
Do you think this could be put together the day before and baked the next day?
I’ve never prepared it the night before but I think it would work.
Made this for dinner today. It was so delicious 😋
Awesome!
Made this for dinner last night and thought it was very tasty. I’m not sure what the others did for the Italian seasoning, but just shy of 1 1/2 Teaspoons was just the right amount. I used the roast chicken breast meat from Costco and garnished the top with bacon bits and crispy fried onions which added some additional flavor nuance.
Sounds wonderful! Glad you liked it!
I made this tonight, and it was as delicious as your picture of it. I cut the recipe in half and as suggested by other comments I didn’t put in as much Italian Seasoning. It is very filling. This dish is very flavorful !!!
I’m really glad you enjoyed it!
My family and I loved it. Do you know what the serving size is for your nutrition facts?
Thank you
I divide the dish by the number of servings, which is located near the top left of the recipe card.
Does this mean the 409 calorie info is for one serving or the whole casserole?
Per serving
One of the very best Low carb recipes that I’ve made! I did make extra sauce (I could drink this stuff lol) Hubby also loved it. This one is a KEEPER!
That’s awesome! The sauce really is wonderful. Glad you and hubby loved it!
Very tasty dish! This is a keeper! It was a real hit at home!
Fantastic! I’m so glad this was a hit!
OMG!!!! This was so delicious! I did however switch out the powdered garlic for mince garlic. Everything else i followed. it was amazing.
Awesome! I’m so glad you loved it!
So delicious! Entire family loved it!!
So glad you enjoyed it!
Delicious! But certainly not 12 servings in this household, more like 4😬
So glad you enjoyed it!