This creamy, cheesy, low carb Chicken Broccoli Bake is an easy way to get a healthy, keto meal on the table. Use shredded rotisserie in this gluten free cheddar chicken broccoli casserole to make it even easier!
CHICKEN BROCCOLI BAKE
I’m all about this healthy chicken broccoli casserole. It consists of real food, no condensed soup cans, or premixed powders. Simple to make and even easier to eat. 😉
Ticking all the special diet boxes, this broccoli chicken casserole is keto, gluten free and low carb. It is also creamy, cheesy, and yummy. Let’s get started!
INGREDIENTS TO MAKE CHICKEN AND BROCCOLI BAKE
- broccoli florets
- cream cheese
- mayonnaise
- grated cheese – cheddar, marble, parmesan, gouda, provolone – you decide! Anything melty will do.
- cooked chicken
- garlic powder, salt, pepper
This chicken and broccoli bake has a pretty simple ingredient list, which I love.
As far as the cooked chicken goes, I use a variety of things – leftover shredded rotisserie leads the pack followed by extra honey mustard chicken.
It is always a good idea to cook additional chicken when you are already making it. That way you will have it prepped and ready to go for meals like this cheesy chicken broccoli bake.
There is something else you may notice about this particular chicken broccoli casserole – no rice! No potatoes either. No pasta. Are you sensing a theme? This chicken broccoli casserole is keto.
See what to serve with this dish below low carb options and family-friendly ones too. 🙂
HOW TO MAKE HEALTHY CHICKEN BROCCOLI CASSEROLE
Like many baked chicken broccoli recipes, there is a basic assembly line procedure. Layer your elements in a casserole dish and sprinkle with cheese. Or blanket the heck out of it with cheese, which is what happens here but you do you!
Firstly prepare the broccoli by cutting the crown in florets – about four cups worth. Quickly steam these on the stovetop.
Meanwhile, in a large mixing bowl, the softened cream cheese is mixed with a dollop of mayo and some seasonings. I simply use salt, pepper, and garlic powder. This is meant to be family-friendly so no reason in experimenting with fancy, faraway spices.
Add the chopped up cooked chicken and grated cheese. Broccoli cheddar chicken casserole has a nice ring to it no? I agree. Cheddar it is.
Finally, stir in the steamed broccoli and transfer the mixture over to a casserole dish. This gets smothered in the aforementioned blanket of cheddar cheese (please grate your own – the pre-shredded stuff is gack!) and heads to the oven to become creamy and delicious.
WHAT TO SERVE WITH CHICKEN BROCCOLI CASSEROLE
So what to serve with your bubbling fresh chicken broccoli casserole? Here are some suggestions:
- keep it fully low carb/keto and serve with a big salad
- fresh, crusty multigrain bread
- rice or quinoa
- roasted carrots or potatoes
More things to love about this chicken and broccoli bake – healthy, tasty, and crowd-pleasing! You may want to double the recipe if the need for seconds becomes a reality.
If you are looking for more keto meals check out this post that details 43 awesome recipes for keto meal prep! Budget-friendly ideas for stretching your food dollars.
MORE HEALTHY GLUTEN FREE CHICKEN RECIPES
Chicken Enchilada Bake with Butternut Squash
Garden Fresh Creamy Chicken Pasta Bake
Chicken Enchiladas in a Spicy Sour Cream Sauce
Homemade Sweet and Sour Chicken
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This creamy, cheesy, low carb Chicken Broccoli Bake is an easy way to get a healthy, keto meal on the table. Use shredded rotisserie in this gluten free cheddar chicken broccoli casserole to make it even easier!
- 4 cups broccoli florets
- ½ cup cream cheese, softened
- 2 tbsp mayonnaise
- ½ cup grated cheddar
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ¼ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 ½ cups chopped, cooked chicken
- ¼ cup grated cheese, for the topping the casserole
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Heat the oven to 375, grease a 9 x 9 casserole dish ( I use an avocado spray ) and set aside.
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Start by prepping your broccoli. Put a large saucepan with about 2 inches of water over medium-high heat. Once the water is at a rolling boil, add in the broccoli florets. Let them steam for about 2 minutes or until they are fork tender. Drain the water, return the broccoli to the sauce pan and set aside.
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In a large mixing bowl combine the softened cream cheese with the mayo and then stir in the seasonings. Add the cheddar, then the cooked and chopped chicken. Finally, stir in the steamed broccoli and blend it all together.
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Pour the chicken and broccoli mixture into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle with the last ¼ cup of grated cheese.
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Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Next, set the oven to broil and broil for 2-3 minutes or until the cheese is bubbling and browning in spots.
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Serve warm.
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Leftovers keep covered in the fridge for up to three days.
Shailaja DESAI
This is just so good! Love that you have used cream cheese and mayo Sharon, which must make this cassarole insanely moist! I usually use a white sauce but would love to try this recipe…
Sharon
It’s been in the rotation here for weeks now. 🙂 Thx Shy!
Colleen
This looks like pure comfort food. I know it will be a hit with my whole family. Thanks!
Sharon
Pure comfort is right! 🙂
Sadia Malik
good idea about cooking extra chicken while you are at it
Sharon
I’m always cooking extras. 😉
Lisa
I love how basic and simple this recipe is and how it just screams comfort food. Thanks for sharing it!
Vanessa
Love the simple real food ingredient list. This will be perfect for busy weeknights this Fall.
Cynthia Priest
I am always cooking whole chicken but get tired of casserole with pasta in it. I will have to give this creamy cheesy version a whirl!
Terri G
I’m loving how delicious, healthy and light this is, without rice or canned soup. What a great Weight Watchers dinner!
Sabrina
This is so good! Kid friendly, low carb and high protein. This is now a weekly favourite, thank you!
Wendolyn
Have you tried freezing this casserole, and if so, does it hold up well to thawing and reheating?
Sharon
I haven’t frozen this personally. It’s fine in the fridge for a couple of days and reheated but freezing is a different story. I find that freezing anything with dairy can be challenging. The fats tend to separate, and as a result, the texture and flavor can suffer.
C McK
This has been bookmarked to my recipes list! – quite tasty! I was searching for a chicken broccoli cheese recipe without rice and without canned soup and this answered the mail.
Sharon
Doesn’t it seem everything has a can of soup chucked in it? lol So glad you enjoyed – this is in our weekly dinner rotation too! It’s a fave around here. Leftovers heat up well also!
Katie
Any substitutions for the mail? We have an egg allergy in our family.
Sharon
I think this recipe is already egg-free. Yay!
Katie
Sorry, Mayo. Mayonnaise has egg in it.
Sharon
Ah, yes! Gotcha. You can try sour cream instead or also just a bit more cream cheese which I have done and it still tastes great. 🙂
Martha Gertz
I HATE casseroles because 9 times out of 10 they use cream of whatever soup from a can. I can’t stand that flavor!
I & my husband LOVED this casserole! I will make it time & again . SO – you CAN teach an old dog new tricks! Thank you!
I’m preparing for hip replacement surgery soon. I will make this the day before I go in so I will have at least one good meal when I come home!
Sharon
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you, Martha. I totally agree with you on the canned soup front – who needs that in their life? This is just as simple and tastes better in my opinion. Good luck with your surgery. I wish you a speedy recovery!
Mable
Am I blind? What amount of broccoli is used???
Sharon
It’s 4 cups of broccoli florets. It’s the first thing listed but I think there might have been an issue with the layout. Hopefully, it’s fixed. Thanks for letting me know.
April
Have you tried using frozen broccoli florets?
Sharon
If you steamed them first frozen should work fine. 🙂
Amy
Loved this recipe. The day two leftovers were equally as god. Will make it again.