Keto Chicken Bake : This low carb chicken bake casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s not only incredibly easy to prepare but also a crowd-pleaser.
Why You’ll Love This Keto Chicken Bake
This dish is everything you want in a comfort food while staying true to your keto lifestyle:
- Low-carb & high-fat: It’s perfect for keeping you in ketosis while satisfying your cravings.
- One-pan meal: Fewer dishes means less cleanup!
- Customizable: You can mix and match ingredients to suit your preferences or whatever’s in your fridge.
- Meal-prep friendly: Make a big batch and enjoy throughout the week.
Tips and Tricks for the Perfect Keto Chicken Bake
To make sure your Keto Chicken Bake comes out perfectly every time, here are a few pro tips:
- Choose quality cheese: Opt for freshly grated cheese rather than pre-shredded varieties, which often contain additives that can increase carbs and affect texture.
- Don’t skip seasoning: Proper seasoning is key to enhancing the flavor of your dish, especially on keto where carbs can’t be used to bulk up the taste.
- Cover for a creamier dish: If you prefer a slightly creamier bake, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first 20 minutes of baking, then uncover to let the cheese brown.
- Try different cuts of chicken: Chicken thighs can be a juicier option than breasts and bring even more flavor and richness due to their higher fat content.
Variations of Keto Chicken Bake
There’s plenty of room to get creative with this dish. Here are a few variations to try:
Mushroom & Spinach Chicken Bake: Sautee mushrooms and spinach together before adding them to the dish for a deeper, earthier flavor.
Bacon Keto Chicken Bake: Add crispy bacon bits on top or layer strips of bacon across the chicken for a savory, smoky twist.
Keto Buffalo Chicken Bake: Mix in ¼ cup of buffalo sauce with the cream sauce for a spicy, tangy kick. Top with blue cheese crumbles for extra flavor.
Vegetable-loaded Chicken Bake: Incorporate low-carb veggies like broccoli, zucchini, or cauliflower for added texture and nutrients. Simply add them to the dish before baking.
How to Serve Keto Chicken Bake
The beauty of this Keto Chicken Bake is that it’s filling enough to be served on its own. However, if you’re looking to round out the meal, here are some serving suggestions:
- Cauliflower rice – A great low-carb substitute for rice that soaks up the cheesy sauce perfectly.
- Zucchini noodles – Light and fresh, these make for a great side.
- Roasted vegetables – Try roasted Brussels sprouts or broccoli for a flavorful, nutrient-packed side dish.
How to Store and Reheat
This Keto Chicken Bake is ideal for meal prep as it stores well for days!
Storing:
- In the fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- In the freezer: To freeze, let the dish cool completely and then transfer to a freezer-safe container. It will keep for up to 3 months.
Reheating:
- In the oven: Reheat at 350°F for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through.
- In the microwave: Heat individual portions for 1-2 minutes on medium power, but be aware that microwaving may cause the cheese to separate slightly.
For best results, reheat in the oven to maintain the creaminess and texture.
Recipe FAQs
Can I use chicken thighs instead of breasts?
Absolutely! Chicken thighs have a higher fat content, which makes them ideal for keto recipes. They’ll add more richness and moisture to the bake. Just keep in mind that thighs may need slightly longer cooking time.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, you can substitute dairy products with keto-friendly, non-dairy alternatives like coconut cream for the heavy cream and dairy-free cheese. However, note that the texture and flavor may change slightly.
How do I know when the chicken is done?
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of the chicken. It should reach 165°F (75°C). Alternatively, slice into the thickest part of the chicken breast—there should be no pink.
Keto Chicken Bake
Keto Chicken Bake : This low carb chicken bake casserole is a creamy, cheesy, and flavorful dish that’s not only incredibly easy to prepare but also a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
- 450g Boneless Chicken Thigh and Leg Meat
- 50g Cream Cheese
- 100g Cheddar Cheese, grated
- 80g Streaky Bacon
- 200g White Mushrooms
- 100g Shredded Mozzarella
- 1 tsp Onion & Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Cayenne Pepper
- 100ml Heavy Cream
- 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
- ½ tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tsp Chopped Parsley
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Start by chopping the bacon, chicken, and mushrooms into bite-sized pieces. Grate your cheddar cheese and chop the parsley.
- In a cold pan, add the bacon and cook over medium heat until crispy. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- In the same pan, sauté the chicken in the bacon fat. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne.
- Stir until the chicken is almost cooked through.
Toss in the mushrooms and cook until they release their water. This is key for the sauce! If the mushrooms are dry, add a splash of water. - Stir in the cream cheese and grated cheddar, allowing them to melt into a creamy sauce. If you're using heavy cream, add it now and cook until the sauce thickens. For Indian readers using Amul cream, turn off the heat before adding the cream to avoid splitting.
- Transfer everything to an oven-safe dish, top with crispy bacon and shredded mozzarella.
- Bake at a high temperature or under the broiler until the cheese is melted and golden.
- Sprinkle with parsley and enjoy your creamy, cheesy keto bake!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 669Total Fat: 46gSaturated Fat: 22gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 265mgSodium: 1083mgCarbohydrates: 9gFiber: 2gSugar: 3gProtein: 56g
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 Bake is an excellent addition to your weekly rotation, whether you’re on a keto diet or simply looking for a delicious, low-carb meal option. It’s rich, flavorful, and endlessly adaptable. Plus, it’s a wonderful dish for meal prep, making your keto journey that much easier and more enjoyable.
Check out my other delicious keto recipes:
