u003cbr/u003eAbsolutely! Bacon is always a good addition to keto chicken recipes and this one is no exception. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI recommend eight ounces of cooked and crumbled bacon.u003cbr/u003e

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

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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.

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.

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.