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    Home » Casseroles » Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole - Bake, Instant Pot or Slow Cook

    Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole - Bake, Instant Pot or Slow Cook

    Published: Jan 3, 2022 by Wendy Polisi Modified: Feb 13, 2023 · 1873 words. · About 10 minutes to read this article.

    • 1579
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    Photo of a Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole in a white casserole dish.

    This Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole is the kind of comfort food I never get tired of. Tender broccoli and juicy chicken are topped with a creamy sauce and cheese to create a dish both children and adults are crazy about. You can make this dish in your oven, Instant Pot, or Crockpot.

    Overhead photo of a keto chicken broccoli casserole in a white casserole dish.

    I don't know about you, but I need more recipes like this Low Carb Chicken Broccoli Casserole in my life.

    This is the type of dinner I make when I've got no juice left at the end of the day.

    It takes less than fifteen minutes of hands-on prep time and needs only twenty minutes in the oven. (You can also make it in your Instant Pot, or plan ahead and make it in your slow cooker.)

    As easy as this recipe is to make, it is also crazy-delicious. You will want to put this simple comfort food casserole into your regular rotation.

    For a complete visual walkthrough, see my Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole Web Story.

    Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.

    Ingredients for Making Keto Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

    • Butter - Kerrygold is my go-to brand.
    • Almond Flour - Use almond flour, not almond meal. I prefer finely ground almond flour, such as Bob's Red Mill or Besti.
    • Heavy Cream - If you are low carb and not keto, you can use half and half. However, if you make this in the Instant Pot, stick with the heavy cream since low-fat dairy does not do well in the Instant Pot.
    • Chicken Broth - You can use any chicken broth; I have a strong preference for homemade.
    • Sour Cream - Use full-fat!
    • Mayonnaise - Did you know that some brands have sugar? Make sure you read the label!
    • Garlic Powder - You can use a teaspoon of minced fresh garlic if you prefer.
    • Smoked Paprika - I am more than a little obsessed with the smoky flavor that smoked paprika adds to dishes. If you don't have it, you can leave it off or use regular paprika.
    • Cayenne Pepper - The kick added to the dish from this is minimal, but if you are heat-sensitive or have small children, you can leave this off.
    • Salt and Pepper - Fresh ground pepper is always best. I use fine sea salt.
    • Broccoli Florets - Use fresh if you can. Frozen works in a pinch.
    • Cooked Chicken - If you are short on time, you can pick up a rotisserie chicken. You can use either chicken breast or thighs.
    • Gruyere Cheese - This is a personal preference; any shredded cheese works in this recipe. Cheddar and mozzarella cheese are great options.

    Tips & Tricks

    • Keto cheesy chicken broccoli casserole isn't particularly fussy, so feel free to play with it a bit. Cauliflower would work in place of broccoli, and almost any cheese will do. I have made this with cheddar cheese and it is great.
    • You can steam the broccoli instead of blanching it, just make sure you don't overdo it to the point that the broccoli gets mushy when baked.
    • To minimize waste, don't discard the broccoli stems. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough skins and then slice them. Blanch or steam them along with the rest of the florets.
    • For the chicken, you can save time by picking up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store. Other great options include making Instant Pot Shredded Chicken or Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken.

    Serving Suggestions

    • Cauliflower rice is a good low-carb stand-in for white rice and is excellent with this keto broccoli chicken casserole.
    • Keto Mashed Cauliflower is another great side dish that the whole family loves with most any chicken casserole recipe.

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      Variations

      • To add an extra punch, saute' ½ cup diced onion and 2 cloves of minced garlic in the butter before adding the liquids.
      • Substitute cooked and crumbled Italian sausage for the chicken.
      • Substitute cauliflower for the broccoli.
      • If you don't have fresh broccoli, frozen broccoli works too.
      • Any shredded cheese works here - cheddar, smoked gouda, and mozzarella are all good options.
      • If you would like to make Keto Chicken Broccoli Rice, just add in 3 cups of riced cauliflower that has been sautéed.

      Buying Broccoli

      I recommend buying whole broccoli, not just the florets or crowns. The stalks are quite flavorful and can be chopped and used in most recipes, including this Keto Chicken And Broccoli.

      Avoid broccoli that has florets that are starting to turn yellow or brown. The cut ends of the stalk should look fresh and ideally not be dried out.

      Reviving Limp Broccoli

      A little-known trick to revive limp broccoli is to trim the stalk just like you would the end of a flour. Let it stand in about 1 to 2 inches of water and refrigerate overnight.

      Can This Recipe Be Made Ahead of Time?

      Yes. You can prep this recipe up to a day ahead of time and bake it when you are ready to serve.

      Alternatively, you can cook it ahead of time and reheat when serving. I recommend the first option if possible, but leftovers are good for a couple of days for lunches.

      How Should Broccoli Be Stored?


      Broccoli should be stored loosely wrapped in either a vegetable bag or plastic, and kept in the crisper drawer.

      Once you cut it into florets, it will begin to lose moisture, so do that at the last minute for the best results.

      If you meal prep and would like to cut it ahead of time - as I often do - store the florets in an airtight container with a damp paper towel. They should keep for about five days.

      Can You Add Bacon?


      Absolutely! Bacon is always a good addition to keto chicken recipes and this one is no exception.

      I recommend eight ounces of cooked and crumbled bacon.

      What are some low-carb crunchy toppings I can add that will keep my chicken broccoli cheese casserole keto?


      Toasted pecans or pine nuts are a great addition to this recipe. I recommend you add them after you cook the casserole.

      Storage

      Keep leftovers of keto chicken broccoli cheese casserole in the refrigerator for up to three days.

      You can freeze this recipe after cooking it, but expect a slight deterioration in texture. 

      I recommend reheating over medium-low heat on the stove, stirring to incorporate mayonnaise and sour cream that has separated.

      How to Make Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole 

      Make The Sauce - Oven and Crockpot

      Melt the butter and add the almond flour in a saucepan. Whisk together and cook for 1 minute.

      Photo of melted butter and almond flour in a sauce pan.
      Photo of cream, broth, butter, and almond flour in a sauce pan and cream cheese that has just been added.
      Photo of seasonings being added to a sauce pan that has butter, almond flour, cream cheese, broth, and heavy cream.

      Add cream and broth and bring to a simmer. Stir in cheese and cook until melted.

      Remove from heat and add seasonings, sour cream, and mayonnaise. Whisk until smooth.

      Oven Instructions

      To make broccoli chicken casserole keto, place the cooked chicken and broccoli in a baking dish.

      Photo of a creamy sauce that has been poured over chicken and broccoli in a casserole dish.
      Photo of an uncooked chicken broccoli casserole with shredded cheese on top.

      Pour the creamy sauce over the chicken and broccoli in the casserole dish.

      Sprinkle with cheese and bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly.

      Slow Cooker Broccoli Cheese Casserole

      This recipe can be prepared in your Crockpot. 

      Just transfer the vegetables and chicken to your slow cooker and top with the sauce and cheese. Cook on low for 4 hours.

      Instant Pot Keto Broccoli Cheese Casserole

      The Instant Pot Instructions are slightly different, so make sure to follow them and not the slow cooker or oven instructions.

      Also, you cannot substitute milk or half and half for the heavy cream. The fat in the cream is what keeps it from curdling. If you want to make this lower in fat, I would recommend using broth.

      To make broccoli cheddar chicken casserole keto in your Instant Pot, start by setting it to saute. Melt the butter, and then when it is melted add the almond flour.  

      Cook for a minute, whisking constantly. Stir in the cream and broth. Bring to a simmer and then add the seasonings. Add the cooked chicken and broccoli to the pot, and toss. 

      Cook at high pressure for 1 minute and then do a quick release. Stir in the cream cheese, sour cream and mayonnaise. 

      Place the lid on the Instant pot and let stand until the cream cheese melts. Stir to combine. Add the shredded cheese and replace the lid until the cheese is melted.

      You May Also Like 

      • Keto chicken casseroles don't get any better than this Keto Chicken Pot Pie! Make this any time you are craving comfort food.
      • Low Carb Broccoli Salad is so full of flavor and the best way I know to get a little more green into your diet.
      • Keto Pesto Chicken is quick to make and always a hit at my house.
      • Everyone needs staple recipes like this Low Carb Grilled Chicken in their back pocket. You won't believe how much flavor this marinade has.
      • Keto Lemon Chicken works well for a busy weeknight, but is also perfect for entertaining.
      • Looking for a super-easy weeknight recipe that has all the flavors of traditional Chicken Parm? You will love this Keto Chicken Parmesan Casserole.
      • This Keto Alfredo Chicken Bake is pure comfort food. This is one that both kids. and adults love.
      Photo of a keto chicken broccoli casserole with a spoon taking a serving out of the white casserole dish.
      Photo of a keto quickstart guide with the description of the guide on the right.
      If you like this recipe don't forget to leave a 5 star rating and let me know how it went in the below comments, I love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see all my delicious recipes.
      Overhead photo of Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole in a white casserole dish with a wooden spoon on one side and plates on the other side.
      Print Recipe
      5 from 6 votes

      Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole

      This Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole is the kind of comfort food I never get tired of. Tender broccoli and juicy chicken are topped off a creamy sauce and cheese to create a dish both children and adults are crazy about. This recipe isn't particularly fussy, so feel free to play with it a bit. Cauliflower would work in place of broccoli, and most any cheese will do. You can steam the broccoli instead of blanching it, just make sure you don't over do it to the point that the broccoli gets mushy when baked.
      Prep Time5 mins
      Cook Time28 mins
      Total Time33 mins
      Course: Main
      Cuisine: American
      Keyword: cheesy, creamy
      Servings: 8
      Calories: 356kcal
      Author: Wendy Polisi
      As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualified sales.

      Ingredients

      • 1 tablespoon butter
      • 1 tablespoon almond flour
      • ½ cup heavy cream
      • ½ cup chicken broth
      • 4 ounces cream cheese cubed
      • ½ cup sour cream
      • ¼ cup mayonnaise
      • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
      • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
      • ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
      • Salt and Pepper to taste
      • 12 ounces broccoli florets blanched
      • 1 pound chicken cooked and shredded
      • 6 ounces gruyere cheese
      US Customary - Metric

      Instructions

      • Melt butter in a medium sauce pan. Add almond flour and cook for 1 minute, whisking constantly.
      • Stir in cream and broth, and bring to a simmer. Add cream cheese and cook until melted.
      • Remove from heat, and stir in sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic powder, smoked paprika, and cayenne pepper. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

      Oven Instructions

      • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
      • Place broccoli and chicken in a large baking pan and pour the sauce over.
      • Top with cheese.
      • Bake for 20 minutes, until bubbly and cooked through.

      Slow Cooker Instructions

      • Place the chicken and broccoli in your slow cooker and pour the sauce over it.
      • Top with cheese and cook on low for about 4 hours.

      Instant Pot Instructions

      • Set your Instant Pot to saute.  Melt butter and add almond flour.  Cook for 1 minutes, whisking constantly.  Stir in cream and broth and bring to a simmer.  Add garlic powder, smoked paprika and cayenne pepper.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  
      • Add cooked chicken and broccoli to the pot and toss.
      • Set to high pressure for 1 minutes.  Do a quick release.  Stir in cream cheese, sour cream, and mayonnaise.   Place lid on the instant pot and let sit until the cream cheese melts.  Stir to combine.  Add the shredded cheese and replace lid until the cheese melts.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 94mg | Sodium: 278mg | Potassium: 270mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1135IU | Vitamin C: 39.5mg | Calcium: 279mg | Iron: 0.8mg

      Other Low Carb Broccoli Recipes

      • Broccoli Fritters are so nutritious and loved by both kids and adults.
      • When you need a simple side it doesn't get any better than this Garlic Broccoli.
      « Easy Keto Jalapeno Poppers
      Keto Cheese Breadsticks »
      • 1579

      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Melissa Chapman

        August 16, 2019 at 4:02 pm

        5 stars
        I am not on a keto diet but this is a great dish for those who are on it. It looks so healthy and a great weekday meal for the whole family.

        Reply
      2. Amber Myers

        August 16, 2019 at 8:38 pm

        Yes please, what a great dish! I've always loved broccoli and cheddar in soup form, so I bet I'll love this.

        Reply
      3. cait

        August 16, 2019 at 11:48 pm

        im not on the keto diet but this is def something my family and i would enjoy eating! yum!

        Reply
      4. Theresa

        August 17, 2019 at 12:40 am

        My husband took a break from doing Keto for the past month (since we were traveling and he didn't want to limit his options) but is ready to get back in the game. I'm going to save this recipe and make it this Sunday, his official "back on the Keto diet" start day.

        Reply
      5. Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers

        August 17, 2019 at 3:39 am

        I haven't been a huge fan of the Keto diet as I love my carbs...lol. Chicken is our main staple in our house and I love broccoli with cheese. I'm all about making easy meals so this is right up my alley. 🙂

        Reply
      6. Terri Steffes

        August 17, 2019 at 10:25 am

        I think this sounds amazing. I don't like working with almond flour, though, is there another substitute?

        Reply
      7. Ashley

        August 17, 2019 at 11:09 am

        Definitely saving this post for later. I'm doing keto and even if I wasn't this dish looks delicious!

        Reply
      8. Rena

        August 17, 2019 at 12:04 pm

        Looks delicious! I love this combination, but I didn't know it could be a keto dish. Great tips to make this delicious dish even better.

        Reply
      9. Lynndee

        August 17, 2019 at 12:35 pm

        That is my kind of meal - delicious and healthy. Now if only my boys love to eat broccoli like I do. They're so picky! LOL.

        Reply
      10. Brandy

        August 17, 2019 at 3:03 pm

        I am a huge fan of chicken and broccoli together, so I am going to try your keto chicken broccoli casserole soon. It looks like a delightful meal option for dinner with the family.

        Reply
      11. Melanie

        August 18, 2019 at 5:24 am

        This sounds perfect for busy weeknights now that school is back in session. I love that it can be made in advance to make life even easier!

        Reply
      12. Brianna S

        August 18, 2019 at 6:10 pm

        I'm going to try making this this week! Looks so good!

        Reply
      13. Eli

        September 09, 2019 at 8:44 am

        5 stars
        I actually tried this yesterday and it was so delicious! I can't wait to try this again someday. Thanks for posting!

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          September 09, 2019 at 9:06 am

          So glad that you enjoyed it!

          Reply
      14. holly lueders

        December 10, 2019 at 7:14 pm

        can you make this in the slow cooker?

        Also could you sub ricotta cheese for cream cheese?

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          December 10, 2019 at 7:17 pm

          Yes it would do fine in the slow cooker. I would cook it on low for four hours or so. I haven't tried ricotta, but I think it would work just fine.

          Reply
      15. Gracie Parker

        January 22, 2020 at 1:54 pm

        5 stars
        This was easy and DELICIOUS!!! Definitely making this again!!!

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          January 22, 2020 at 3:05 pm

          I am so glad that you enjoyed it Gracie! Thanks for taking the time to let me know.

          Reply
      16. Jae

        February 05, 2020 at 4:16 pm

        What is “1T almond flour”? Is that one cup?

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          February 05, 2020 at 4:22 pm

          T is the abbreviation for tablespoon. I do not usually use abbreviations in my recipes - not sure how that happened. Sorry about that!

          Reply
      17. Hendoe

        June 19, 2020 at 1:01 am

        We are about to try this but curious How did you cook the chicken

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          June 23, 2020 at 3:12 pm

          I have made this many times, and cooked the chicken in all different ways. Most often I just throw it in the Instant Pot, but sometimes I use my slow cooker or air fryer. I have even just boiled it before. It all works.

          Reply
      18. Robyn

        September 23, 2020 at 3:01 am

        5 stars
        I made the oven baked version tonight, just exactly as the recipe is. Sooo delicious! Even my non-keto family members loved it. This recipe is a keeper!

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          September 23, 2020 at 11:10 am

          So glad that you enjoyed it!

          Reply
      19. Louise Bennett

        September 28, 2020 at 11:47 pm

        If using a crock pot (slow cooker) does the chicken need to be precooked?

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          September 29, 2020 at 10:39 am

          I haven't tried it with uncooked chicken. It would have more liquid if you did it that way since the chicken will release liquid as it cooks.

          Reply
      20. Jenny

        November 06, 2022 at 7:48 pm

        5 stars
        Great meal! Whole family loved it - Thank you!

        Reply
        • Wendy Polisi

          November 08, 2022 at 6:37 pm

          I am so glad you enjoyed it!

          Reply

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      Welcome

      I'm Wendy and I'm here to show you just how delicious a low carb, gluten free and keto diet can be! You are just as likely to find me obsessing over all things cheesy as you are getting excited by a full produce drawer. I'm a mom to three, obsessive planner and roller coasters are my happy place. Let's dig deeper →

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