Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole Recipe

Introduction

This Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole is a delicious, low-carb comfort food perfect for weeknight dinners. It combines creamy cheese, smoky BBQ sauce, tender chicken, and crispy bacon for a satisfying meal that everyone will love.

A white oval dish filled with a layered baked casserole shows a golden melted cheese top with crispy brown bacon pieces scattered all over. Dark red barbecue sauce is drizzled in diagonal lines across the top, adding shine and contrast. Small bright green chopped chives are sprinkled lightly on the cheese and bacon. The dish rests on a wooden board on a white marbled surface, with a gray textured cloth under one side. Around the dish, there is a small white bowl with green chopped herbs and a rustic wooden bowl with more dark barbecue sauce visible. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast or thighs, cubed
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar-free BBQ sauce, ranch dressing mix, salt, and black pepper. Stir until smooth and creamy.
  3. Step 3: Gently fold in the cooked, cubed chicken and chopped bacon into the creamy mixture.
  4. Step 4: Add ½ cup each of shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to the bowl and stir to combine.
  5. Step 5: Spread the mixture evenly into a casserole dish, then top with the remaining shredded cheese and extra bacon if desired.
  6. Step 6: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 6-8 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Tips & Variations

  • For a crispy, golden top, switch your oven to broil for the last 1-2 minutes of baking.
  • If you want a spicier casserole, use a sugar-free spicy BBQ sauce or homemade low-carb BBQ sauce.
  • Swap the chicken for cooked turkey or ground beef for a different flavor profile.
  • Try different cheeses like mozzarella for a milder taste or add crumbled blue cheese for a bold twist.
  • Prepare the casserole ahead of time, cover it with foil, and refrigerate until ready to bake for easy meal prep.

Storage

Store the casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. To reheat, cover it with foil and warm it in the oven until heated through to prevent drying out.

How to Serve

A white oval dish filled with a baked casserole that has three main layers: a bottom layer of creamy mashed potatoes, a thick middle layer of melted bright orange cheddar cheese, and a top layer scattered with crispy brown bacon pieces and thin slices of green onions. The entire casserole is drizzled evenly with dark brown barbecue sauce in diagonal lines. The dish sits on a wooden board over a blue-gray textured cloth, with a small white bowl of extra green onions and a round wooden bowl of barbecue sauce nearby on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use frozen chicken for this casserole?

Yes, but be sure to fully thaw and cook the chicken before adding it to the casserole to ensure even cooking and the best texture.

Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?

Absolutely. You can assemble the casserole in advance, store it in the fridge, and bake it when ready for a quick and convenient meal.

Print
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Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole Recipe


  • Author: Ella
  • Total Time: 43 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Diet: Low Carb, Keto

Description

This Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole is a rich, creamy, and savory low-carb comfort food perfect for anyone following a ketogenic diet. Combining tender cooked chicken, crispy bacon, a creamy blend of cream cheese and ranch seasoning, smoky sugar-free BBQ sauce, and melted cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, this casserole delivers bold BBQ flavors without the carbs. It’s easy to prepare, bakes in under 40 minutes, and makes an excellent keto-friendly meal or meal prep option.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar-free BBQ sauce
  • 1 tablespoon ranch dressing mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cups cooked chicken breast or thighs, cubed or shredded
  • 6 slices cooked bacon, chopped
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the casserole evenly.
  2. Mix the base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar-free BBQ sauce, ranch dressing mix, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and creamy without any lumps.
  3. Add chicken and bacon: Fold the cooked, cubed chicken and chopped cooked bacon gently into the creamy mixture, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout.
  4. Incorporate cheese: Add half of the shredded cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses (1/2 cup each) into the mixture and stir until combined.
  5. Assemble the casserole: Spread the mixture evenly into a casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheeses and additional chopped bacon over the top as desired for extra cheesiness and texture.
  6. Bake the casserole: Cover the casserole dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 6-8 minutes until the cheese topping is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
  7. Optional broil for golden top: For a crispy, golden finish, switch your oven to broil and broil the casserole for 1-2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.

Notes

  • Use sugar-free BBQ sauce to keep it keto-friendly and sugar-conscious.
  • You can substitute cooked chicken with cooked turkey or ground beef for a variation.
  • Experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella or blue cheese to change the flavor profile.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered with foil to retain moisture.
  • This casserole can be prepped ahead of time and baked fresh when ready, making it perfect for meal prep.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 33 minutes
  • Category: Casserole
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Keto BBQ Chicken Casserole, low carb casserole, keto dinner, sugar-free BBQ, ketogenic recipe, cheesy chicken casserole, paleo friendly

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