Description
Comfort meets health in this mouthwatering low carb chicken casserole that delivers rich, creamy flavors without excess carbohydrates. Melted cheese and tender chicken create a satisfying meal that keeps dietary goals on track while delighting taste buds with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 4 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken breast
- 8 slices cooked and chopped bacon
Vegetables:
- 5 cups broccoli florets or 1 pound thawed frozen spinach
- 3 cloves minced garlic
Dairy and Dressing:
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (1/2 cup in sauce, 1/2 cup for topping)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (in sauce)
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven by heating to 375°F, ensuring an even temperature for optimal cooking.
- If using spinach, thoroughly drain excess moisture to prevent a watery casserole. For broccoli, briefly blanch in boiling water for 1-2 minutes to soften and brighten the vegetable.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded chicken, crispy bacon pieces, selected vegetables, minced garlic, ranch dressing, and half of the shredded cheese, stirring until ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Transfer the mixed ingredients into a 9×13 inch casserole dish, spreading the mixture uniformly to ensure consistent cooking.
- Generously sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of the casserole, creating a golden, melted surface.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 15 minutes, watching for a bubbling texture and heated through appearance.
- Once removed from the oven, allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes, enabling the ingredients to settle and making it easier to serve without falling apart.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by thoroughly draining spinach or blanching broccoli to prevent excess moisture that could make the casserole watery.
- Swap traditional ranch for Greek yogurt-based dressing to reduce calories and increase protein content for a healthier version.
- Customize vegetable selection based on seasonal availability or personal preference, ensuring consistent bite-sized pieces for even cooking.
- Consider using rotisserie chicken for a quicker preparation method that adds extra richness and saves preparation time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 385
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 1050 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 110 mg