– Advertisement –
If you’re a fan of spicy buffalo wings and you’re following a ketogenic (keto) diet, you’re in for a treat! This Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole is an incredibly satisfying and flavorful dish that combines the bold, tangy, and spicy flavors of buffalo sauce with tender chicken and creamy cheese. It’s the perfect comfort food, but without all the carbs.
– Advertisement –
What is a Keto Diet?
The keto diet is a low-carbohydrate, high-fat diet that has become very popular for weight loss and improving overall health. The basic idea is to drastically reduce your carbohydrate intake, which forces your body into a metabolic state called ketosis. In ketosis, your body starts burning fat for fuel instead of glucose from carbs.
– Advertisement –
Why Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole?
Buffalo chicken is a classic favorite, often served as an appetizer in the form of wings, but it can be difficult to enjoy on a keto diet due to the carbs in breading and sauces. Enter the Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole: This casserole offers all the spicy, cheesy goodness of buffalo wings without any of the carbs.
The casserole combines juicy, tender chicken with a rich buffalo sauce and is topped with melted cheese to make the perfect keto-friendly comfort food. It’s also easy to make, full of flavor, and great for meal prep.
– Advertisement –
Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole: The Ingredients
To make this casserole, you’ll need a few basic ingredients. Most of these items are easily available in grocery stores, and many of them are staples for any keto kitchen. Here’s a breakdown of everything you’ll need:
Main Ingredients:
- Chicken breast (or thighs) – Skinless, boneless chicken breasts or thighs work best in this recipe. Chicken thighs will give you a slightly richer flavor due to their higher fat content, but breasts will keep the dish leaner.
- Buffalo sauce – This is the star of the recipe. It gives the casserole that signature spicy kick. Look for a sugar-free or low-carb buffalo sauce, as many store-bought sauces contain hidden sugars that are not keto-friendly.
- Cream cheese – This adds a creamy texture to the casserole and helps balance the heat of the buffalo sauce.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – This melts beautifully and adds a savory depth of flavor. You can also experiment with other types of cheese, like Monterey Jack or mozzarella.
- Ranch dressing (optional) – Many buffalo chicken dishes are served with ranch dressing, so adding it to the casserole brings extra creaminess and flavor. Make sure to choose a low-carb or homemade version.
- Garlic powder – A simple yet essential seasoning to enhance the overall flavor.
- Onion powder – Another key flavoring to complement the dish.
- Cayenne pepper (optional) – If you love extra heat, add some cayenne pepper to kick up the spice level.
- Olive oil – For sautéing the chicken and adding some healthy fat to the dish.
Optional Garnishes:
- Green onions – Chopped green onions or scallions make a colorful and flavorful garnish.
- Blue cheese crumbles – If you’re a fan of blue cheese, sprinkle some crumbles on top of the casserole before serving.
- Fresh cilantro or parsley – Chopped fresh herbs can help balance the heat and add a pop of freshness.
Preparation Steps for Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole
Making this casserole is relatively simple and doesn’t require a lot of time. Follow these steps for a perfect, low-carb buffalo chicken casserole:
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Start by cooking the chicken. You can either bake, sauté, or even poach the chicken. If you’re using chicken breasts, they’ll cook relatively quickly. Here’s a simple method:
- Sautéing: Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sauté the chicken breasts for about 5-7 minutes per side until they’re fully cooked and golden brown. After cooking, set them aside to cool slightly, then shred the chicken using two forks.
- Poaching: Alternatively, you can poach the chicken by boiling it in water or broth for about 20 minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Once done, shred it as well.
Step 2: Mix the Creamy Buffalo Sauce
While the chicken is cooling, prepare the creamy buffalo sauce mixture. In a large bowl, combine:
- Cream cheese – Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing. If you’re using full-fat cream cheese, it will make the casserole richer and creamier.
- Buffalo sauce – Pour in your sugar-free or low-carb buffalo sauce. Start with about ½ cup, then adjust to taste based on how spicy you like it.
- Ranch dressing (optional) – Add a couple of tablespoons of ranch dressing to make the casserole extra creamy.
- Garlic powder and onion powder – Season the sauce with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to taste.
- Cayenne pepper (optional) – If you like extra spice, you can sprinkle in some cayenne pepper.
Stir until everything is well combined, creating a creamy and spicy buffalo sauce.
Step 3: Combine the Chicken and Sauce
Once the chicken has cooled slightly, shred it with two forks. Add the shredded chicken into the bowl with the buffalo sauce mixture. Stir well to ensure the chicken is coated in the creamy buffalo sauce.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish with olive oil or butter to prevent sticking.
Transfer the buffalo chicken mixture into the prepared casserole dish and spread it out evenly.
Step 5: Add Cheese and Bake
Top the buffalo chicken mixture with a generous amount of shredded cheddar cheese (or a cheese blend of your choice). The cheese will melt into the chicken and sauce, creating a deliciously gooey topping.
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Once the casserole is out of the oven, garnish with optional toppings like green onions, cilantro, or blue cheese crumbles. Serve hot and enjoy your spicy, cheesy keto buffalo chicken casserole!
Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole Variations
While the basic recipe is delicious on its own, you can easily customize it to suit your preferences:
- Add Vegetables: Incorporating vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, or broccoli into the casserole can add more texture and flavor. Just steam or sauté the vegetables beforehand and mix them in with the chicken.
- Use Different Cheese: While cheddar is the classic choice, you can experiment with other cheeses such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even cream cheese for a softer texture.
- Top with Bacon: For an extra layer of flavor, crumble cooked bacon over the top of the casserole before baking.
- Use Chicken Thighs: If you prefer dark meat, chicken thighs will work just as well. They have a richer flavor and can make the casserole even more succulent.
Conclusion
The Keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole is an incredibly satisfying and low-carb dish that’s perfect for those following the keto diet. With its creamy buffalo sauce, tender chicken, and melty cheese, it’s sure to become a favorite in your keto meal rotation. It’s easy to prepare, customizable, and great for meal prepping or making ahead for busy weeks.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
35 minutes
Total Time
50 minutes
Ingredients
- 4 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 2 chicken breasts)
- 1/2 cup buffalo sauce (choose sugar-free)
- 1/2 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing for a sharper flavor)
- 1/2 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup green onions, chopped (optional, for garnish)
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon olive oil or avocado oil (optional, for greasing the pan)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the chicken: If you haven’t already, cook and shred the chicken. You can use rotisserie chicken or cook your own. Set it aside.
- Mix the sauce: In a bowl, combine the buffalo sauce, ranch dressing (or blue cheese), cream cheese, melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt/pepper. Mix until smooth.
- Combine the chicken and sauce: Add the shredded chicken to the sauce mixture and stir until evenly coated.
- Layer the casserole: Grease a 9×9-inch or similar-sized baking dish with olive oil or avocado oil. Spread the chicken mixture into the dish.
- Add the cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake: Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish: Once out of the oven, top with chopped green onions if desired.
- Serve: Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes to set before serving.
Notes
– Advertisement –