Hearty & Cheesy Keto Loaded Chicken Cauliflower Casserole (Easy One-Dish Meal!)
Get ready for a truly satisfying and incredibly easy meal with this Hearty & Cheesy Keto Loaded Chicken Cauliflower Casserole! This delightful bake combines tender shredded chicken, savory bacon, and unseen cauliflower rice in a rich, creamy, and cheesy sauce, all seasoned with classic Italian herbs. It’s the ultimate comfort food, made low-carb and high in flavor. This wonderful recipe is a delightful addition to your health journey, perfect for a cozy dinner right here in beautiful Puerto Vallarta!
Yields: 4-6 servings Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20-25 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 cups cooked shredded rotisserie chicken (or any cooked chicken breast/thigh meat)
- 12 ounces frozen cauliflower rice (no need to pre-cook or thaw)
- 4 strips bacon, cooked until crispy and chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ½ cup (4 ounces) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (HWC)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (e.g., cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend), divided
- Cooking spray or butter (for greasing casserole dish)
Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Rubber spatula or sturdy spoon
- 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch casserole dish (or similar size)
Instructions:
- Preheat Oven & Prep Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Lightly grease or spray an 8×8 inch or 9×9 inch casserole dish with nonstick spray or butter.
- Combine All Ingredients (Except Topping Cheese): In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded rotisserie chicken, frozen cauliflower rice, chopped cooked bacon, Italian seasoning, salt, softened cream cheese, heavy whipping cream, and ¾ cup of the shredded cheese.
- Mix everything together very well with a sturdy spoon or rubber spatula until all ingredients are evenly distributed and coated in the creamy mixture. Break up any clumps of cream cheese.
- Transfer to Dish & Top with Cheese: Spoon the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading it out evenly.
- Top the casserole evenly with the remaining ¼ cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the casserole is hot and bubbly around the edges, and the cheese on top is melted and lightly golden. For extra browning, you can broil for the last 1-2 minutes (watch carefully!).
- Serve & Enjoy! Remove from the oven. Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes before serving to allow the sauce to set slightly. Enjoy this easy and comforting loaded chicken cauliflower casserole!
Tips for Success:
- Rotisserie Chicken: Using pre-cooked rotisserie chicken makes this recipe incredibly fast. You can also use any leftover cooked chicken.
- Frozen Cauliflower Rice: No need to thaw or cook it first! It will cook perfectly in the casserole, absorbing the flavors.
- Softened Cream Cheese: Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for easy blending into the mixture.
- Cheese Choice: Feel free to use your favorite shredded cheese – cheddar, mozzarella, Colby Jack, or a Mexican blend would all be delicious.
- Customization: Add a pinch of garlic powder or onion powder for more savory depth. A dash of hot sauce can add a subtle kick. You could also stir in a few chopped green onions after baking for fresh flavor.
- Bacon: Make sure bacon is crispy, as it will soften slightly in the casserole.
Recipe Analysis & Dietary Classification:
This Loaded Chicken Cauliflower Casserole is a delightful addition to your health journey!
- High Protein: Yes, from the chicken, bacon, and cheese.
- High Fat: Yes, from the bacon, cream cheese, heavy cream, and shredded cheese.
- Low-Carb: Yes, this recipe is very low-carb by using cauliflower rice as the base and high-fat, low-carb ingredients.
- Keto: Yes, this recipe is keto-friendly. All listed ingredients are suitable for a ketogenic diet.
- Gluten-Free: Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free.