Keto Chicken and Mexican Casserole – This low carb chicken mexican casserole is a hearty, flavorful meal without the carbs, packed with juicy chicken, bold Mexican flavors, and lots of cheesy goodness, it’s sure to become a regular in your weekly meal rotation.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken and Mexican Casserole
- Low in carbs, high in flavor: All the comfort of a casserole with none of the carb guilt!
- One-pan wonder: Minimal dishes make for an easy cleanup.
- Customizable: Add your favorite low-carb veggies, adjust the spice level, or even swap out proteins.
- Meal prep-friendly: This casserole stores beautifully for busy weeknights or easy lunches.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of making this casserole, let’s go over the essential ingredients:
Cilantro (optional): For a fresh, herby finish.
Shredded chicken: Rotisserie chicken works great, or you can use leftover chicken breast.
Cream cheese: This adds creaminess and helps bring everything together.
Shredded cheese: A Mexican blend or cheddar works perfectly.
Diced tomatoes (with green chilies): Adds a kick of flavor without any extra carbs. (Rotel is a popular brand for this!)
Bell peppers: Adds crunch and extra fiber without increasing carb counts.
Taco seasoning: Be sure to use a low-carb version or make your own.
Cauliflower rice: A keto-friendly alternative to traditional rice that soaks up all those delicious Mexican flavors.
Tips and Tricks for the Best Keto Mexican Casserole
- Use pre-cooked chicken: Save time by grabbing a rotisserie chicken or using leftover chicken breast.
- Cream cheese tip: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before adding it in, so it melts smoothly into the casserole.
- Custom spice levels: If you like it hot, add some diced jalapeños or extra chili powder. For a milder version, cut back on the taco seasoning or use mild chilies.
- Cheese alternatives: You can swap cheddar for Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or even mozzarella if you prefer a different flavor.
Variations to Try
Make it dairy-free: Substitute the cheese and cream cheese with dairy-free alternatives like coconut cream and dairy-free shredded cheese.
Add more veggies: Zucchini, spinach, or diced green beans can be added for extra fiber without bumping up the carbs.
Different proteins: You can easily swap chicken for ground beef or turkey to switch up the flavor profile while keeping it keto-friendly.
How to Serve Your Keto Chicken and Mexican Casserole
This casserole is so versatile that you can serve it in a variety of ways:
- On its own: It’s hearty enough to enjoy as a complete meal.
- With a side salad: A crisp green salad with avocado and lime dressing would be the perfect complement.
- In lettuce wraps: Scoop some of the casserole into large romaine leaves for a fun taco-style experience.
- As a topping: Add a scoop over some zucchini noodles or low-carb tortillas for extra texture.
How to Store and Reheat
If you’re a fan of meal prepping, you’re going to love this part!
- To store: Place leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
- To freeze: This casserole freezes like a dream! Store in individual portions in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months.
- To reheat: Simply pop a portion in the microwave for 2-3 minutes or reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes.
Recipe FAQs
Is this casserole really keto-friendly?
Yes! This recipe uses low-carb ingredients like cauliflower rice and avoids common high-carb fillers like beans or tortillas. Make sure to double-check your taco seasoning for any added sugars.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the casserole, cover it, and store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking. Just pop it into the oven when you’re ready to enjoy.
Can I use a different kind of meat?
Yes, you can swap out the chicken for ground beef, turkey, or even pork. Just adjust the cooking times accordingly to make sure the meat is fully cooked.
How can I make this spicier?
If you love heat, feel free to add extra chili powder, cayenne pepper, or even some chopped jalapeños to the mix. You can also top the casserole with a hot sauce of your choice.
Can I skip the cauliflower rice?
Yes, but you may lose some of the texture. If you’d rather skip it, feel free to add more chicken or veggies in its place.
Keto Chicken and Mexican Casserole
Keto Chicken and Mexican Casserole - This low carb chicken mexican casserole is a hearty, flavorful meal without the carbs, packed with juicy chicken, bold Mexican flavors, and lots of cheesy goodness, it’s sure to become a regular in your weekly meal rotation.
Ingredients
- 1 pound cooked, shredded chicken (around 2-3 cups)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 oz softened cream cheese
- ½ cup salsa (your favorite!)
- 1½ - 2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 2 tsp minced dried onion
- 1 Tbsp taco seasoning
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, salsa, dried onion, and taco seasoning. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Stir in the shredded chicken and half of the shredded cheese.
- Spread this delicious mixture into a shallow baking dish, then sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top.
- Bake for 20 minutes, uncovered, until it’s hot, bubbly, and golden.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 492Total Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 18gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 157mgSodium: 646mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 40g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
This Keto Chicken and Mexican Casserole is the perfect combination of flavor and convenience. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just meal prepping for the week, this dish is guaranteed to please. The best part? It’s totally keto-friendly, meaning you can indulge in all the cheesy, zesty goodness without knocking yourself out of ketosis.
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