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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.