My keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is a hit with kids and adults. Quick, easy, and so comforting. This is cheesy, bacony, and filling. This low carb Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole is one of my favorite chicken recipes ever with just 4 net carbs per serving.
Keto chicken bacon ranch casserole is a delicious and healthy low-carb meal for anyone looking to incorporate the popular keto diet into their meal routine. This recipe combines all of the classic flavors of a chicken bacon ranch sandwich, with the added bonus of being able to prepare it as a one-dish meal great for busy weeknight dinners.
This keto chicken casserole is packed with protein, healthy fats, and flavor that will satisfy the whole family and even the pickiest eaters. This keto bacon chicken ranch casserole is also gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Ingredients
Cooked Chicken - I normally use chicken breasts or chicken tenderloins but chicken thighs work too.
Cheddar - We prefer cheddar cheese in this but you can sub in Monterey Jack cheese or mozzarella cheese.
Cooked Bacon - I normally just use packaged 100% bacon crumbles but freshly cooked crumbled bacon is even better if you don't mind cooking some.
Broccoli Florets - Sometimes I use steamable bags of broccoli and sometimes I will lightly steam fresh broccoli. Either work fine.
Mayo, Cream Cheese, and Sour Cream - These three ingredients combined make the perfect creamy keto-friendly sauce for any casserole.
Dill, Parsley, Onion, Garlic, Salt, and Pepper - All the ranch flavor with none of the additives! You don't need bottled ranch dressing or a ranch packet with this combo.
How To Make Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
You’ll be thanking your lucky stars when you figure out how easy this keto chicken bacon ranch casserole really is! It’s a huge time saver, and it’s made with healthy and delicious ingredients. Let’s take a look at how to make this casserole dish.
First Step: Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.
Second Step: Mix together the cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and spices in a large bowl. Mix it thoroughly.
Third Step: Add the chicken, broccoli, ¾ of the cheese, and ¼ of the crumbled bacon to the cream cheese mixture.
Fourth Step: Dump the casserole into a 9x13 baking dish that’s sprayed with cooking spray. Add the rest of the cheese and bacon to the top.
Fifth Step: Bake the keto chicken bacon ranch casserole for 35 minutes, then serve hot! Enjoy!
Variations
As with many of my recipes, you can easily add your own spin with additional flavors and textures. I love tossing in whatever sounds good that day! Just be aware that the net carbs may change. If that is important for your keto diet make sure to run the new ingredients through a nutrition calculator. Here are a few ideas to try:
Turkey - If you have some cooked turkey from the holidays or just have some you want to use up, toss it in the casserole in place of the chicken. It’s so good, and it’s a great way to use up leftovers too.
Vegetables - Swap cauliflower florets in place of the broccoli. You could also use spinach, cauliflower rice, or any other non-starchy veggie you think would taste good in a ranch flavored low carb casserole.
Garlic - Mince some garlic and add it to the casserole. I feel like you can never have too much garlic for anything! Okay, maybe you can have too much, but adding some is always a plus.
Mozzarella Cheese - Either mix the cheddar cheese half and half with the mozzarella or go with mozzarella all the way. It’s a lovely way to change the flavors!
Parmesan - Sprinkle some freshly grated parmesan on top the last 5 minutes of baking. It will turn to a delightful golden brown color and tastes fantastic.
Green Onions - Add some finely chopped green onions to the top of the chicken bacon ranch casserole. It’s so good!
Common Questions
Where is the ranch?
My unique blend of spices is what gives this ranch flavor. You do not need a packet of ranch seasoning mix or bottled ranch dressing. These spices and herbs also work well to make homemade ranch dressing or dip! Just mix them with sour cream and mayo for a dip. For dressing thin it with a little almond milk or heavy cream.
What type of chicken should I use?
You can use whatever chicken you have on hand as long as it’s been cooked and cubed. Rotisserie chicken, boneless skinless chicken breasts, and boneless skinless chicken thighs are my favorites. They all go perfectly with the flavors and are easy to work with. You can use bone-in chicken, but you are going to remove the meat from the bones before adding it to the casserole.
Can I use leftover chicken in this keto casserole?
Yes. This keto chicken bacon ranch casserole is a great way to use up leftover chicken. Just make sure it isn't dried out. The casserole won't taste nearly as good if you start with dry chicken.
What sides go with chicken casserole?
This easy recipe has all you need for a complete meal but if you want to serve an additional vegetable alongside it I'd recommend our family favorite Caesar salad.
Other great choices are roasted asparagus, cauliflower rice, or roasted green beans.
Can I make chicken casseroles ahead of time?
Yes, this low carb chicken casserole is perfect for making ahead of time. You can actually prepare the casserole and put it in the fridge for up to two days prior to baking. This is amazing when you know you have some busy nights coming up.
One thing that is wonderful about this chicken bacon ranch casserole is that you can also make it to give to friends or family as a gift too. If you know someone who just had a new baby or some people moved into your neighborhood, this is a great option!
You can also bake the casserole ahead of time and save it in the fridge or freezer until you are ready to serve as well. If you love meal planning, this dish is an all-around winner!
After the chicken casserole has cooked, it will last 3-4 days in the fridge. Or if you opt to freeze it, it will last 2-3 months in the freezer. Just make sure no matter how you store it, you keep it airtight and cold.
How do I store leftovers?
You can either just cover the casserole dish with plastic wrap or aluminum foil once it has come down to room temperature or transfer the leftover portion to an airtight container. Then store in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This tastes just as good the next day so it works well for meal prep for lunches.
How do I reheat a chicken casserole?
You can reheat the keto chicken bacon ranch casserole a couple of ways. First of all, if you just want one or two helpings warmed up, you can heat it on a microwave-safe plate for a minute or two. It heats up super fast, so it won’t take too long. Make sure to stir it and not warm it up too much, or the texture will be strange.
You can also preheat your oven to 325 degrees F. and place the casserole in the oven for 12-15 minutes until it’s hot all the way through. You may need to warm it a little longer if needed. Just check it every little bit, so it doesn’t overheat and dry out.
Anytime you need low carb chicken casserole recipes just come here. We eat SO much chicken I am constantly trying to find new and exciting ways to use it.
Like what you see? Follow me on Facebook! Love this recipe? Leave a comment & 5-star rating right here! Make sure you don’t miss new recipes by getting email updates!
Want to Save This Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it to your inbox. Plus get great new recipes from us every week!
By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from Joy Filled Eats
Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Ingredients
- 1.5 lb cooked chicken cubed or shredded
- 1 lb fresh broccoli steamed and drained or frozen broccoli, thawed and drained
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ tablespoon dried dill weed or 1 tablespoon fresh dill
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoon bacon crumbles
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 4 oz sour cream
- 4 oz mayo
- 8 oz shredded cheddar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 if baking immediately. Or you can prep ahead and keep in the refrigerator for a day or two.
- In a big bowl combine cream cheese, sour cream, mayo, and spices and mix thoroughly.
- To the cream cheese mixture, you just made add the chicken, broccoli, ¾ of the cheese, and the ¼ cup bacon crumbles and mix well.
- Dump into a 9x13 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Sprinkle remaining cheese and 2 tablespoon bacon crumbles on top.
- Bake until hot about 35 minutes.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
A few of my other favorite low carb chicken casserole recipes are:
Keto Green Chili Chicken Casserole
Jalapeno Popper Chicken Casserole
Originally Published April 6, 2016. Revised and Republished February 21, 2023.
Olivia says
WE LOVE THIS DISH!!
I make it all the time - I'm keto, my husband isn't - it's his favorite thing I make! I usually double it because he likes it so much. I have experimented and added different veggies in with the broccoli - spinach, carrots, cauliflower, mushrooms - so far all have been great! I also add fresh chopped garlic and it brings the garlic flavor up a bit and it's really tasty.
Joy says
I’ve made this several times. It’s easy to make, comes together fast and is delucious. I’m having it again tonight. Thank you for sharing the recipe!
Lisa MacDonald says
This is fantastic! I’m keto, my husband is not. We both loved it! Thank you for sharing!mj
Marcia says
I make this for my family all the time and it is most definitely a favorite!! I want to make it for a friend who just had her 5th baby! I'd like to get most of it done ahead of time the night before. Do you suggest putting it in the fridge overnight and baking the next day or freezing it the night before? Or should I just bake it the night before and freeze overnight? Thanks!!
Taryn says
You can prep and refrigerate overnight.
Celena says
I made it this evening, i was worried that it would be dry but it wasn’t i also added mushrooms. It was super easy and delicious
Pamela says
Hello love this dish thanks so much for sharing. However, I would like to know about the serving size. You said 8 servings but how much is that a cup? 2 cups. Please be more specific! Thank you!
Taryn says
I'm sorry but I didn't measure it by cups. If you cut through the cheese you can see the 8 servings.
Serena Grantham says
So it doesn’t need to be covered when cooked?
Taryn says
No
Celena says
I didn’t cover it and at the very end i broiled it to get a crispier crust
Vanessa Rauguth says
I absolutely loved this recipe and made zero changes to it. My fiance who doesn't eat lc loved it too. Thanks for posting. I need more recipes that we can both enjoy. đŸ™‚
Shirley says
Just made this tonight and everyone loved it!!!
Great Recipe!!
Judy says
What else can I use instead of the mayo?
Taryn says
If you just don't like mayo I want to assure you that you cannot taste it in this recipe. If you just don't want to use it you can use all sour cream.
Janice says
Do I need to cook chicken pieces are just add to mix
Taryn says
Cook the chicken first. Using raw chicken makes the sauce too thin. The chicken releases natural juices.
Viki says
And the chicken isn’t overcooked? How do you prepare your cooked chicken (baked, boiled)? Would a roast chicken work? Also are you using fresh dill or dried?
Taryn says
The chicken isn't overcooked. Most casseroles call for cooked chicken. I normally bake my chicken covered just until it reaches about 158-159 degrees. It should go up to 160 when resting.
I use dried dill but fresh works too.
Michael L says
Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipes. Our family and friends are enjoying these delicious dishes!
fitlum says
I’ve made this cheesy chicken bacon broccoli bake several times, and find that I like adding the broccoli about 10 minutes into the baking time. This gives the bacon a little time to cook and get crispier edges. Then I throw the broccoli on top and cover with shredded cheese.
Jessica says
Can I make this to freeze?
Taryn says
Yes. I have frozen it successfully after baking it. I freeze it in lunch sized portions and then just microwave to heat them. It would probably work to freeze before baking too but I haven't tested it yet.
Angie says
Hello,
Can't wait to try the recipe! One question, what the serving size portion?
Taryn says
This has 8 servings. I normally just eye it up when scooping into the plates.
Kris says
I get asked for this recipe all the time. I have it bookmarked for easy sharing. I think the biggest bonus is that my kids love it!!! And also it's fairly easy to make.
Kim says
Just made this, it was so good, thanks! I forgot to put the mayonnaise, but it was still delicious. Hope to try your other recipes.
Melody says
Why is it called Ranch if there's no ranch dressing in the recipe?
Taryn says
Because it tastes like ranch. You don't need bottled ranch dressing for a ranch flavor. You just need the right blend of spices.
Ben says
What do you think the dill etc is for. Sour cream mayo etc makes
Ranch
Cheryl G says
I had about 4 oz leftover rotisserie chicken so I eyeballed the rest of the ingredients and made this into a single serve microwaved dish for myself. It was fantastic! Thanks!
Marilyn says
Could you make this in a crockpot and for how long?
Taryn says
Yes. I have tips on converting casseroles to crock pot recipes here: https://joyfilledeats.com/casseroles-to-crock-pot/
Anna Dean says
I made this a few days ago and loved it. But I want to make it again and add cauli-rice, so it's more like a broccoli rice with chicken casserole. Would I cook the rice before adding it to the mixture and putting in the oven? Would I need to up the cream cheese and sour cream to accommodate for the added vegetables? Any suggestions? Thanks!
Taryn says
If you are using frozen cauliflower rice just thaw it and drain it. I think it would also work to mix in fresh but the liquid released might thin the sauce.