Description
This Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole is a delicious and comforting dish perfect for a quick weeknight dinner. Packed with protein-rich chicken, flavorful bacon, and nutritious broccoli or spinach, it’s combined with creamy ranch dressing and melted cheeses for a satisfying, low-carb meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the Casserole:
- 4 cups diced or shredded cooked chicken breast
- 8 slices cooked and chopped bacon
- 5 cups broccoli florets OR 1 pound thawed frozen spinach (well-drained)
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1 cup ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
For the Topping:
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Optional:
- 1-3 teaspoons ranch seasoning mix (for added flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C). If using frozen spinach, thaw it completely and squeeze out any excess water to prevent a soggy casserole. If opting for fresh broccoli, boil the florets for 1 to 2 minutes until they turn bright green, then drain well.
- Combine the Main Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the diced or shredded cooked chicken breast, cooked and chopped bacon, prepared vegetables, minced garlic, ranch dressing, and the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. Mix everything together thoroughly. For added flavor, you can stir in 1 to 3 teaspoons of ranch seasoning mix. To save on washing dishes, you can assemble the mixture directly in the casserole dish.
- Transfer to Casserole Dish: Pour and evenly spread the combined mixture into a 9×13 inch (23×33 cm) casserole dish, ensuring it’s well distributed.
- Add the Cheese Topping: Evenly sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole mixture to create a gooey, melted cheese crust.
- Bake and Serve: Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese on top is hot, bubbly, and slightly golden. Once done, remove from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Using well-drained spinach or thoroughly drained broccoli helps prevent excess moisture, keeping the casserole from becoming soggy.
- Cook the bacon until crispy prior to adding for added texture and flavor.
- Feel free to swap broccoli with spinach depending on your preference or what’s available.
- Ranch seasoning mix is optional but adds an extra punch of flavor to the casserole.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 35g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
