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.
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
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.
Want to save this recipe?
We'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!
Video
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
I just found this last week & made twice, it’s already a family favorite! I have no idea how much of each ingredient I used as I just eyeballed it. This is absolutely one of the best casseroles I’ve ever made. Thank you for sharing!
Fantastic! So glad you enjoyed it.
Making this tonight. It’s in the oven right now. Used rotisery chicken. It smells wonderful! It should be done in a couple of minutes. Can’t wait to try it.
I hope you enjoyed it!
Am I missing where it says serving size?
The number of servings is listed at the top of the recipe card. I divide it evenly by that number.
Would like to make this with the mushrooms. Do you know the amount in the original recipe? Thanks!
I do not
As usual with your recipes, this one was wonderful. I could easily eat way more than allowed! Thank you!
Yay! Thanks so much for your kind words. I’m so glad you enjoyed another recipe.
In the oven now! I get confused because when I weigh ounces of cheese on my scale 8 oz does not fill just 1 measuring cup. I wish recipe would just say how many cups of cheese as opposed to ounces. When recipe says to reserve cheese to the side it says cups, so why not give entire recipe in cup portions? Just one thing that confuses me when I’m making a recipe. I ended up eyeballing the cheese and thinking 3 cups of cheddar and 1 cup of mozzarella looked good. Can’t wait to try it!
You really can’t go wront with the cheese. I eyeball everything if I don’t have measurements.
I really APPRECIATE having measures by weight rather than volume. Everyone will measure a cup of something differently based on how much they pack it down but 12 ounces is 12 ounces.
(I also measure everything, in order to accurately calculate macros.)
I made this tonight and my husband loved it. I’m new to your blog but I’ll be back.
I’m so glad the info is helpful!
I’m so glad it was helpful and that you loved the recipe. Thanks so very much.
Danielle, some of us use a kitchen scale for measuring. They are not very expensive.
Would this freeze well?
The info is listed in the post. It could change texture a bit due to the dairy products, but it would still taste the same.
I made this tonight and it was a hit! DELICIOUS! I will definitely be making this again. I also added roasted garlic and chopped up some red onion in the spinach. I do need to season the chicken a little more before baking, but it was really tasty.
Fantastic. So glad you loved it.
Do you just crush pork rinds for a crispy topping? Do you add anything to it?
Hey Tina, you can add just the pork rinds for a crunchy topping or different spices with the pork rinds to kick it up a bit. It’s all about what you’re looking for in the crunchy topping. I hope you enjoy it!!
This is soooooo good!! We cheat sometimes and serve it over pasta, but that’s completely optional. It also keeps really well. Since the recipe makes a good bit, my mom (who lives alone) separates it into individual serving containers and refrigerates or freezes it. Thank you so much for the recipe!! I’m sharing it on my cooking Instagram!!
So glad you both enjoy it! Thanks for sharing.
How much is a serving size
The number of servings is listed at the top of the recipe card. I simply eyeball and divide into equal portions by the serving size number.
Fantastic. And I used half and half and fat free cream cheese. Couldn’t tell I was missing a thing, and probably cut 50-75 calories per serving.
Sounds like it worked out great for you. Thanks for sharing!
I made mine with carrots,broccoli, cauliflower and it was delicious.
Glad you enjoyed it.
This was absolutely perfect. I made it tonight and myself and the hubby loved it. He took one bite and immediately said, “This is a keeper.” Thank you!
Great! So glad you enjoyed it.
Can this be made ahead of time and baked off later on?
Yes, it can.
can i bake this at 350?
I’m sure it could. I’m not sure the exact bake time as I’ve only made it as is.