CREAMY DREAMY CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Craving comfort food but watching those carbs? You don’t have to sacrifice flavor or satisfaction! Imagine sinking your fork into a bubbling, cheesy casserole loaded with tender chicken and creamy goodness. This Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole- Creamy Comfort recipe is a game-changer, promising a delicious and guilt-free dinner that will become a family favorite.

Gathering Your Heavenly Ingredients

Here is everything you’ll need to create this masterpiece:

For the Chicken:

• Cooked Chicken: 3 cups, shredded or diced (rotisserie chicken works great!)

For the Veggies:

• Broccoli Florets: 2 cups, fresh or frozen
• Cauliflower Florets: 2 cups, fresh or frozen

For the Creamy Sauce:

• Cream Cheese: 8 oz, softened
• Heavy Cream: 1 cup
• Chicken Broth: 1/2 cup
• Garlic Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Onion Powder: 1 teaspoon
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon, or to taste
• Black Pepper: 1/4 teaspoon, or to taste

For the Cheesy Topping:

• Shredded Cheddar Cheese: 1 1/2 cups
• Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: 1/2 cup

Optional Add-Ins:

• Chopped Bacon: 1/4 cup, cooked crispy
• Green Onions: 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Hot Sauce: To taste

Step-by-Step to Cheesy Chicken Bliss

Let’s get started! Don’t worry, it’s simpler than it looks.

Preparing the Veggies:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. If using fresh broccoli and cauliflower, steam or boil them until slightly tender-crisp (about 5-7 minutes). If using frozen, microwave according to package directions, being careful not to overcook them. You want them to still have some bite!

Making the Creamy Sauce:

1. In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat until smooth and creamy. Don’t worry if there are a few small lumps; they will melt in the oven.
2. Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the cream cheese mixture. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.

Assembling the Casserole:

1. In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and steamed cauliflower.
2. Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
3. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.

Adding the Cheesy Topping:

1. In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese.
2. Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the casserole.
3. If desired, sprinkle with chopped bacon and green onions.

Baking to Golden Perfection:

1. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
2. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set up a bit.

The Magic of Cream Cheese

Okay, let’s talk cream cheese. It’s the unsung hero of this dish! It provides that incredibly rich and creamy texture that makes this casserole so comforting. Make sure your cream cheese is properly softened before you start. Leaving it out at room temperature for about 30 minutes usually does the trick. If you’re in a hurry, you can microwave it in 15-second intervals, but watch it carefully so it doesn’t melt!

Substitutions & Variations That Spark Joy

This recipe is super adaptable! Don’t be afraid to experiment. Here are a few ideas:

• Different Veggies: Swap out the broccoli and cauliflower for other low-carb veggies like asparagus, zucchini, bell peppers, or mushrooms.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cream sauce for a little kick.
• Cheese Please: Use different types of cheese, like Monterey Jack, pepper jack, or Colby jack.
• Herb Power: Add fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or rosemary to the cream sauce for extra flavor.
• Make it Lighter: Use Neufchatel cheese (1/3 less fat cream cheese) instead of full-fat cream cheese.

Prepping Ahead: Your Secret Weapon

Want to get ahead of the dinner game? You can assemble this casserole ahead of time! Just prepare everything as directed, but don’t bake it. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, remove the plastic wrap and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time if needed.

Serving Suggestions: Completing the Meal

This Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole- Creamy Comfort is delicious on its own, but it also pairs well with a variety of sides. Consider serving it with a simple side salad, a dollop of sour cream, or a sprinkle of fresh herbs. For a truly satisfying low-carb meal, you might also enjoy it with a side of Mushroom Ricotta Zucchini Boats.

Troubleshooting Like a Pro

Sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, and that’s okay! Here are a few common issues and how to fix them:

• Casserole is too watery: Make sure your veggies are well-drained after steaming or microwaving. You can also add a tablespoon of almond flour or coconut flour to the cream sauce to help thicken it.
• Cheese isn’t melting evenly: Make sure the cheese is evenly distributed over the casserole. If it’s still not melting evenly, you can broil it for a minute or two, but watch it carefully so it doesn’t burn!
• Casserole is browning too quickly: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil during the last few minutes of baking to prevent the cheese from burning.

Why This Recipe Works: The Science of Deliciousness

This recipe isn’t just easy; it’s also scientifically designed to be delicious! The combination of creamy cream cheese, savory chicken, and tender veggies creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will satisfy your cravings without derailing your low-carb diet. Plus, the cheesy topping adds that perfect touch of indulgence that makes this casserole truly irresistible.

Beyond the Casserole: Low Carb Living Made Easy

If you’re enjoying this Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole- Creamy Comfort, you’re likely always on the lookout for more low-carb meal ideas. For another creamy chicken dish, you might want to try Creamy Crockpot Crack Chicken for an effortless weeknight meal. Or, for something with more vegetables, the Chicken Zucchini Bake is a fantastic choice. For a cozier meal, consider CREAMY CHICKEN SOUP. You can even try replacing pasta with zucchini like in Zucchini Tomato Pasta.

A Final Word: Your Comfort Food Champion

This Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole- Creamy Comfort is more than just a recipe; it’s a hug in a dish. It’s a reminder that you can enjoy delicious, satisfying meals without sacrificing your health goals. So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to experience the ultimate low-carb comfort food. Enjoy!

Creamy Dreamy Chicken Casserole

Amelia Chen-Morrison

Enjoy a comforting and guilt-free dinner with this easy low-carb chicken casserole. Loaded with tender chicken, creamy sauce, and cheesy topping, this recipe is a perfect blend of flavor and satisfaction without compromising your health goals. It’s a family favorite that’s both delicious and easy to prepare.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6

Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

• 9×13 inch baking dish
• Large bowl
• Medium bowl
• Electric mixer or whisk
• Steamer or pot for boiling vegetables
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Oven
• Microwave (optional, for frozen vegetables)
• Mixing spoons

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
• 2 cups broccoli florets, fresh or frozen
• 2 cups cauliflower florets, fresh or frozen
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper, or to taste
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
• ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup chopped bacon, cooked crispy optional
• 2 tablespoons green onions, chopped optional
• Hot sauce, to taste optional
• Cooking spray or butter, for greasing the baking dish

Instructions

 

• Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
• If using fresh broccoli and cauliflower, steam or boil them until slightly tender-crisp (about 5-7 minutes). If using frozen, microwave according to package directions, being careful not to overcook them. You want them to still have some bite!
• In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, heavy cream, and chicken broth. Using an electric mixer or a whisk, beat until smooth and creamy.
• Add the garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the cream cheese mixture. Stir well to combine. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
• In a large bowl, gently combine the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and steamed cauliflower.
• Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken and vegetables. Stir gently until everything is evenly coated.
• Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish.
• In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese and mozzarella cheese.
• Sprinkle the cheese mixture evenly over the casserole.
• If desired, sprinkle with chopped bacon and green onions.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is bubbly and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
• Let the casserole cool for a few minutes before serving. This helps it set up a bit.

Notes

For best results, ensure your cream cheese is fully softened before starting. To prevent the casserole from becoming watery, make sure the vegetables are well-drained. You can prepare the casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. If the cheese starts to brown too quickly during baking, cover the dish with aluminum foil. For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the cream sauce.