This Keto Tuscan Chicken Casserole Recipe with creamy sun-dried tomato sauce on top of tender chicken and covered with provolone is incredible. You would never know how easy this is or that it has less than 10 ingredients.
This creamy Keto Tuscan Chicken Casserole is amazing. I enjoy my recipes (or I wouldn't share them) but this was over the top good. I would serve it for dinner company I wanted to impress any day of the week.
One of my favorite things ever is the sun-dried tomato sauce at Olive Garden. In my vegetarian days, I loved the Portobello Mushroom Ravioli there. I would dip my breadsticks in the sauce and sigh in satisfaction.
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I don't eat ravioli anymore. I don't love pasta enough to try any of the homemade low carb versions out there so I decided to make a similar sauce for chicken. The sun-dried tomato sauce was always the best part of that dish and it is the best part of my Keto Tuscan Chicken Casserole as well. I had to refrain from licking the casserole dish as I was putting away the leftovers. I did scrape every bit I could off with the spatula. Which I did lick. Repeatedly.
If you love those mushroom ravioli as much as I did make sure to check out my Tuscan Stuffed Mushrooms!
This easy creamy Tuscan garlic chicken recipe is low carb, keto, gluten-free, grain-free, sugar-free, and Trim Healthy Mama friendly.
Ingredients
- Chicken tenderloins - Chicken tenderloins are the best value for money. You don't have to worry about them having a strange texture like many chicken breasts in stores nowadays. They're low in fat and high in protein, so they make a great addition to any diet.
- Sun-dried tomatoes - Sun-dried tomatoes are tasty, flavorful, and they look great as a garnish for salads, appetizers, and main dishes.
- Cream cheese - Cream cheese is an American dairy product. It's usually made from milk and cream, but can also be made with non-dairy milk. In the United States, it's used in a variety of recipes ranging from baked goods to main courses
- Fresh basil leaves - Fresh basil leaves are an excellent seasoning for chicken, salads, pizza, and vegetables. They are one herb that I always recommend buying fresh instead of dried.
- Garlic powder - If you're looking for a spice that's got the best taste, the most unique flavor, and aroma, look no further than roasted garlic powder. It is has a more intense flavor than regular garlic powder.I use it in almost every savory recipe I make.
- Baby spinach - A common mistake is thinking that baby spinach and mature spinach are the same things. The biggest difference between baby spinach and mature spinach is that baby spinach leaves are smaller and lighter in color. They cook faster and are more tender.
- Provolone cheese - Provolone cheese is a solid choice for keto Tuscan chicken. It adds the perfect amount of flavor to your dishes, and it's delicious by itself too!
How to Make Keto Tuscan Chicken
Step One: Bake the chicken tenderloins and drain any excess cooking liquid. Stir together the ingredients for the sundried tomato cream sauce.
Step Two: Pour the sundried tomato sauce on the chicken and spread it evenly. Top with the cheese.
Step Three: Bake until hot, bubbly, and golden.
Variations
Chicken - I make this Tuscan chicken recipe with fresh chicken tenderloins but you can use chicken breasts or even chicken thighs. You can even use leftover cooked chicken or rotisserie chicken.
Shrimp - This sauce is also amazing on shrimp. Just lightly sautee it in a large skillet and add the sauce and spinach right to the pan!
Creamy Garlic Sauce - You can swap out the sundried tomatoes for roasted garlic cloves for an amazing sauce that is great on chicken, zucchini noodles, or even salmon.
Common Questions
Can I prepare this ahead of time?
Once the casserole is prepared you can wait to bake it. I prepped it in the early afternoon, put it in the fridge, and then baked it right before dinner. You will need to increase the final baking time if it is cold when you put it in the oven.
Can I use frozen chicken?
Yes. Just cook the chicken, drain the liquid, and then add the sun-dried tomato sauce, spinach, and cheese.
Can I use leftover cooked chicken?
You can also just make this keto creamy Tuscan chicken recipe with leftover cubed or shredded chicken or thinly sliced chicken breasts. Just proceed with the sauce recipe and adjust the cooking time as needed.
What should I serve with Keto Tuscan Chicken?
I normally serve this with steamed or roasted vegetables but cauliflower rice, mashed cauliflower, or a green salad are also great choices. You can even make some keto breadsticks to help mop up the delicious creamy sauce.
How do I store leftovers?
Put them in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4-5 days. You can freeze this for longer storage. Just cook the chicken, add the sauce, spinach, and cheese and place into the freezer at that point. Thaw overnight and then bake.
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Ingredients
- 3 lb chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoon sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 tablespoon warm water
- 12 fresh basil leaves
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 teaspoon roasted or regular garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 oz cooking liquid from the chicken or chicken stock
- 5 oz fresh baby spinach
- 12 slices provolone cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Cook the chicken tenders until cooked through. I cook mine in a covered casserole dish for 30 minutes at 350. Reserve 3 oz of the cooking liquid and drain the rest.
- In a small blender or food processor puree the sun-dried tomatoes and warm water until they are pureed. Add the basil and process until it is chopped.
- In a medium bowl mix the sun-dried tomato puree, cream cheese, garlic powder, salt, and cooking liquid or chicken stock. Once it is pretty smooth, mix in the spinach.
- Spread the sauce on top of the chicken tenders. Top with the provolone cheese. Bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Originally Published September 7, 2016. Revised and Republished November 18, 2021.
Jenn says
Finally! A grain-free casserole I can get on board with! Loving this tuscan casserole like woah!
Sues says
So many of my favorite things in one dish... pasta definitely isn't missed when I'm enjoying this for dinner!
Angie says
This was amazing! My whole family loves it. Thank you!
Wise Mama says
I've made this delicious recipe several times for my family, our church fellowship meals & friends! It is definitely a flavorful winner & I always get compliments. I make a few minor adjustments: I season my tenderloins with salt, pepper, garlic powder, smoked paprika & italian seasoning then cook in the instant pot manual high pressure for 6 minutes, natural release for 10-15. I utilize all the leftover juices where the recipe calls for warm water or stock. I've found doubling the sun dried tomatoes and the 3 tbsp warm liquid makes it so much better. I also add a bit more baby spinach and rough chop it. Overall a fantastic recipe!!
PS says
Great flavor. Easy to make.
Jennifer says
How much in a serving?
Taryn says
1/8th of the recipe. If you use small fresh chicken tenders that should 3-4 pieces with the sauce and cheese. You can just count them and divide by 8.
Johnna Duke says
I cannot wait to try this recipe!! Thank you
Rachell Coe says
This sauce has to be one of the most AMAZING sauces I have EVER TASTED!!! The flavor was off the charts delicious and since trying it we have also used it on low carb Fat Head Pizza Dough in place of pizza sauce -- it was great there too!!!!! Since I'm doing Keto I'm not doing pasta, but have definitely told my non-Keto friends about it and am encouraging them to try the sauce on pasta. The only thing we added was some garlic, but it was not necessary for the delicious flavor. As a carb eater my whole life, this is one of those recipes the lets me KNOW I can stay on the Keto eating program!!!
Karen says
Can I substitute dried basil in place of fresh basil? If so how much?
Taryn says
This gets A LOT of its flavor from the fresh basil. I don't really recommend subbing dried but if you can't find fresh this time of year use 1 tsp dried.
Lisa says
Sub pesto, maybe?
Taryn says
Good idea! Yes, I think a little pesto would be better than dried basil. Or frozen basil if you can find it.
Kathleen says
We love this. I doubled the sauce for hubby and served with a salad.
Chelsea says
What size baking dish did you use/do you recommend for this?
Thanks!
Taryn says
A 10 x 13 casserole dish. Any large baking dish would work.
Angela says
Is the chicken weight before or after cooking? Love your recipes - can't wait to try this one ?
Taryn says
It is before cooking.
Rebecca Addison says
Sounds wonderful..but just wondering where I can find sun-dried tomatoes in the grocery store?
Taryn says
Hi Rebecca, I've seen them in the produce section and in the pasta/sauce aisle.
LIsa says
My family is going to love this dish! We are big on casseroles for easy weeknight dinners.
Sarah says
Your casseroles always look so easy and delicious! I love that you used fresh basil - nothing compares to the fresh!
Ashley says
New follower here! I noticed that your casseroles use cooked chicken, but I was wondering if it would work (or if anyone has tried it) by starting with raw chicken and cooking it all together. I am also a fan of my crockpot, would this (or any of your casseroles work in there? Thanks for all the great recipes, starting THM next week! 🙂
Taryn says
Hi Ashley, the problem with using raw chicken is that the chicken releases liquid while cooking making the sauce too thin. I've done casseroles in the crock pot. I just cook the chicken, cut or shred it, drain the excess liquid, and then add it back to the crock pot with the other ingredients until the are hot and the cheese is melty. You could try cooking it all together and then using gluccomannan to thicken the sauce.
Katrin says
I love casseroles. They are easy to make and always taste even better on the next day. Great recipe!
STACEY says
Oh, this looks delish and extra cheesy!
Kim | Low Carb Maven says
Everything should be covered in cheese, right? Yum!
Georgina says
Awesome combination of flavors you've used here - can't wait to try it!