This cheesy keto chicken broccoli casserole is one of the most popular recipes on My Keto Kitchen — and it’s not hard to see why. With just 4g net carbs per serving, 31g of protein, and a prep time of only 5 minutes, it ticks every box for a satisfying weeknight dinner that actually keeps you in ketosis.
As a nutritionist, I love this recipe because it delivers real, whole-food nutrition without any compromise on flavour. Broccoli is one of the best low-carb vegetables available — packed with fibre, vitamin C, and vitamin K — and when it’s paired with shredded rotisserie chicken and a cream cheese sauce, the result is genuinely indulgent. Even non-keto family members love it (we get that in the comments all the time).
This is a true one-pan bake: mix, top with cheese, and bake for 25 minutes. It serves 8 and stores brilliantly in the fridge for 4 days, making it one of the best keto meal-prep recipes we have. You can also freeze individual portions for up to 3 months.
At a glance
- ✓Only 4g net carbs per serving
- ✓Ready in 30 minutes
- ✓Rated 5 stars by 668 readers
- ✓Great for meal prep & freezing
This recipe is part of our keto chicken recipe collection, where you’ll find my one-pan creamy mushroom garlic chicken and our delicious flame-grilled chicken thighs, plus many more.
Tips for the Best Keto Chicken Broccoli Casserole
- Don’t overcook the broccoli. Boil the florets until just al dente — they’ll continue cooking in the oven. Overcooked broccoli turns mushy and releases excess water into the sauce. 3–4 minutes in boiling water is enough.
- Drain the broccoli thoroughly. Excess water is the main cause of a watery casserole. After boiling, drain well and give the florets a gentle shake in the colander before adding to the mixing bowl.
- Add a crunchy keto topping. One of our readers, Shelley, suggests crushing pork rinds to a breadcrumb texture, mixing with Cajun seasoning, and combining with the shredded cheese before topping the casserole. We’ve tried it — it’s excellent. You could also use crushed pork panko for the same effect.
- Choose your rotisserie chicken carefully. Several readers have noted that some supermarket rotisserie chickens contain added sugars, dextrose, or starches in the brine. If you’re strict keto, check the label or use your own oven-roasted or poached chicken instead. Any cooked shredded chicken works perfectly here.
- Swap the cheese for variety. Cheddar is the classic choice, but Gruyère, Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or a four-cheese blend all work well. A combination of sharp cheddar and Gruyère gives a deeper, nuttier flavour.
- Make it ahead. Assemble the entire casserole — sauce mixed in, cheese on top — cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. This actually improves the flavour as the sauce absorbs into the chicken and broccoli. Add 5 extra minutes to the bake time if going straight from cold.
- Freeze before or after baking. Both methods work. Freezing before baking (assembled but uncooked) gives you a slightly better texture when you finally bake it. Freezing after baking is more convenient. Either way, freeze in portions, cover well, and use within 3 months.
- Turn leftovers into soup. Reader Susan suggests adding frozen riced cauliflower, curry powder, and chicken stock to leftover casserole and blending for an easy cheesy casserole soup. It works beautifully — don’t waste a drop.
Keto Chicken Cheese Broccoli Casserole Ingredients
- 1 pound of Broccoli, cut into florets
- 1 Rotisserie Chicken, meat shredded (approximately 700g/1.5lbs)
- 8 ounces of Cream Cheese
- ¾ cup of Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 tablespoon of Dijon Mustard
- 1 teaspoon of Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon of Salt
- ¼ teaspoon of Pepper, ground
- ¼ cup of Fresh Basil, chopped
- 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, shredded
How to Make Keto Chicken Cheese & Broccoli Casserole
- Preheat your oven to 200C/390F.
- Place a saucepan of water over high heat and boil the broccoli florets until al dente. Drain well and add to a large mixing bowl along with the shredded chicken.
- Add the cream cheese, cream, almond milk, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan, and place over low heat. Whisk until the sauce is smooth.
- Pour the warm sauce into the broccoli and chicken mixture, add the basil, and mix well.
- Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the shredded cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until warmed through and the cheese has browned.
- Serve immediately.
Keto Chicken Cheese Broccoli Casserole Bake
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Ingredients
- 1 pound broccoli cut into florets
- 1 rotisserie chicken meat shredded
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper ground
- 1/4 cup fresh basil chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 200C/390F.
- Place a saucepan of water over high heat and boil the broccoli florets until al dente. Drain well and add to a large mixing bowl along with the shredded chicken.1 pound broccoli, 1 rotisserie chicken
- In a small saucepan, add the cream cheese, heavy cream, almond milk, dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt and pepper and place over low heat. Whisk until the sauce is smooth.8 ounces cream cheese, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Pour the warm sauce into the broccoli and chicken mixture, add the basil, and mix well.1/4 cup fresh basil
- Pour the mixture into a casserole dish and top with the shredded cheese.1 cup cheddar cheese
- Bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes, until warmed through and the cheese has browned.
- Serve immediately.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
How many net carbs are in keto chicken broccoli casserole?
This recipe has 4g net carbs per serving (6g total carbs minus 2g fibre). Each serving is approximately 250g / 9oz. Full macros per serving: 416 calories, 31g protein, 30g fat, 6g carbs, 2g fibre.
Is chicken broccoli casserole keto-friendly?
Yes — when made without flour, cream of mushroom soup, or added starch, a chicken broccoli casserole is naturally keto-friendly. This version uses a cream cheese and heavy cream sauce instead, keeping the net carbs at just 4g per serving. It’s one of the lower-carb casserole options available.
Can I use chicken breasts instead of rotisserie chicken?
Yes. Any cooked, shredded chicken works — rotisserie chicken is simply the quickest option. You can use poached chicken breasts, baked chicken thighs, or leftover roast chicken. For the best texture, shred rather than dice the chicken so it absorbs the sauce more evenly.
Can I freeze chicken broccoli casserole — and should I freeze it before or after baking?
You can freeze it either way. Freezing before baking (assembled but uncooked) gives a slightly better texture when you finally cook it from frozen — bake straight from frozen at 200°C/390°F for 40–45 minutes covered, then uncover for the last 10 minutes. Freezing after baking is more convenient if you want grab-and-go portions. Either method keeps well for up to 3 months.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes — this is one of the best keto recipes to prep in advance. Assemble the full casserole (sauce mixed through, cheese on top), cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking. The sauce absorbs into the chicken and broccoli, which actually improves the flavour. Add 5 minutes to the bake time if cooking straight from the fridge.
Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?
Technically yes, but it will add carbs. Regular whole milk has approximately 12g of carbs per cup, while unsweetened almond milk has less than 1g. For strict keto, stick with unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened oat milk (check the label), or simply increase the heavy cream slightly to compensate for the omitted milk.
My casserole turned out watery — what went wrong?
The most common cause is underdraining the broccoli after boiling. The florets hold water in their stems, which then releases into the sauce during baking. To prevent this, drain the broccoli thoroughly after boiling, give it a gentle shake, and if possible let it steam-dry for 2–3 minutes before mixing. Also make sure the oven is fully preheated before the dish goes in.
Can I make chicken casserole dairy-free?
This recipe is heavily dairy-dependent (cream cheese, heavy cream, cheddar), so a full dairy-free version requires significant substitutions: replace cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese (e.g. Violife or Kite Hill), swap heavy cream for full-fat canned coconut cream, and use dairy-free cheddar-style shreds. The sauce will be slightly thinner and the flavour will change, but it will still bake up well.
Can I make chicken casserole in a slow cooker or Instant Pot?
For a slow cooker: add all sauce ingredients plus the raw broccoli and shredded chicken to the slow cooker and cook on Low for 3–4 hours or High for 1.5–2 hours. Add the cheddar cheese on top for the last 30 minutes. Note that the texture will be softer and there will be no golden cheese crust. For an Instant Pot: use the Sauté function to make the sauce, stir in the chicken and broccoli, then transfer to a baking dish and finish under the broiler for 5 minutes to melt and brown the cheese.
This casserole is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs well with a fresh green salad, roasted asparagus, sautéed spinach, or a simple side of steamed green beans. Some readers serve it alongside keto bread to scoop up the sauce. As a lighter option, serve smaller portions as a side dish alongside grilled steak or fish.
Reader tips
“We like a little bit of a crunchy topping. I crushed pork rinds into breadcrumb texture, added Cajun seasoning, and mixed that with the cheese on top. Perfection!”
★★★★★ Shelley
“Made this just as written — delicious with a fresh green salad. The leftovers I turned into soup by adding riced cauliflower, curry powder and chicken stock. Delicious for lunch.”
★★★★★ Susan
“Just made this for the family tonight. Everyone scarfed it down and said it’s their favourite dish I’ve made!”
★★★★★ Kristi
Want more delicious, easy Keto Chicken recipes? try our;
- Keto Chicken Enchilada Casserole
- Keto Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Casserole
- Keto Parmesan Wings
- Keto Chicken Noodle Soup
Adjust the servings above to make a larger batch of this Keto Creamy Chicken Broccoli Casserole recipe.
Lots more keto casserole recipes here.
If you plan to freeze do you want to bake it before freezing or can you put it together and freeze?
Hi Tierney, yes, you can bake it before freezing. Hope that helps.
I have made lots of chicken and broccoli casseroles. This one is the best we have ever made. Will make this again. Thank you
Hi Tammy, thank you, so glad you like it.
Love this dish, my wife done it so good, with burnt cheese topping yummy…
But it seems we used wrong type of cream which became like milk is that right, but the taste is just perfect
Thanks for the recipe
Hi Ali,
It may have been the wrong type of cream, we haven’t had this issue but we likely have a different cream manufacturer than you so that may be a factor. Maybe try less cream and more cheese. Glad you liked the recipe.
This was so yummy!! I loved it and it will be a regular dish in our home now. How do you think it would turn out if you used ground sausage instead of chicken? I love it as is just always have lots of sausage on hand
Hi Jenny, I think the Sausaugae would work out ok if you maybe made meatballs out of it or something. But don’t be afraid to experiment, if you do let us know how you go. Thanks for your kind words.
Can I make this with frozen broccoli? I also only have unsweetened vanilla almond milk. Will this make a huge difference?
Hi Suzanne, yes you certainly can use frozen broccoli.
Wow what flavor everyone loved this casserole, Thank you
So glad everyone loved it Lydia. Thank you so much for your nice comment.
Question: is it ok to make it ahead and bake it tomorrow?
Hi Fatima,
Yes, no problem. Hope you enjoy it.
Excellent! I made this for a potluck and got rave reviews. What a great comfort dish for the cold weather coming!
Hi Elaine, thank you so much for the kind words. So glad you liked it.
My boyfriend and I like this recipe better than a non-keto recipe!! Easy to prepare and a household favorite!
Thank you for your kind words Emily glad you like it.
This is a really good dish! The sauce could also be used on its own as an Alfredo sauce for rzoodles. Thanks for the recipe!
This is delicious! I will definitely make this one of my favorite recipes!
Hi,
How do you think substituting coconut cream for the heavy cream would impact the taste?
Hi Katie,
It would just add a bit of a coconut flavour – if you like coconut, why not give it a try!
This recipe was SO GOOD! Even my 3 year old who never eats broccoli enjoyed it and ate his entire serving. Definitely will make it again. I was wondering if this casserole could be mixed together and then frozen?
Hi Karissa,
I’m so glad to hear we pass the toddler test! My parents called broccoli “little trees” when I was a kid and I LOVED to be the giant eating the trees haha.
I’m not sure how a frozen unbaked casserole would turn out as I haven’t tried it, but a baked one can be frozen and reheated with no problems at all.
Delicious! I made this with with meatless chik’n strips instead of rotisserie since my wife is vegetarian, and it worked great!
Is there a substitute for the unsweened Almond milk? Can I use regular milk or evaporated milk?
Hi Jean,
You can substitute the almond milk for more cream, or any milk of your choice. Just note that using cow’s milk will increase the carb count.
Super sad! This smelled so lovely but its so watery! Followed the recipe 100% and its really watery. Was hoping for a more creamy texture.
Hi Sarah,
I’m sorry that the recipe didn’t work for you, it sounds like you didn’t drain your broccoli well enough? The sauce does come out thick and creamy but if the broccoli isn’t drained well, it will water down the sauce.
The first time I made it I had the same result. I tried again two weeks later and it turns out I hadn’t drained the broccoli well enough. Give it another go but drain everything a little longer. Good luck! My second batch turned out creamy.
Agreed! I poured the veggies in a strainer with small holes and used a spoon to press the excess moisture out of the veggies before mixing in the sauce. It was super creamy and not at all watery. I even added riced cauliflower to mine which has tons of moisture and ended up with a thick creamy bake. Try it again, soooo worth it!
This was DELICIOUS! I never leave reviews but had to say this is my favorite version of broccoli chicken casserole I’ve ever had, keto or not. Also it’s super filling – 1 serving left me stuffed!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Mel! Thanks for popping back to leave a comment 🙂
This was AMAZING! I topped it off with bacon bits.
This was SO good! Loved it made exactly as recipe is listed.
I made this tonight by the recipe except had to sub dried basil for fresh. It was great. Not the same old cream of something sauce. Will definitely make this again.
Love finding a delicious recipe you can’t wait to make again! I added a generous helping of curry powder as another reviewer suggested and the final product was a tastier, healthier Chicken Divan! We made ours with diced chicken breast instead of rotisserie chicken & served over a mix of quinoa and rice the first night. We finished the leftovers by themselves (no sides) the very next day. So yummy!
The addition of curry powder is sounding really good! I will have to try it soon.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Very honestly, I rarely make a dish according to a strict recipe…so with this casserole I, of course, did some embellishments by adding sauted onions & mushrooms and diced roasted green chili…AWESOME!!! Added a little more character and cut the richness from the sauce. I know this added a few more carbs, but my husband loved it!!!
Thanx for a great template to start from!!!
Cheers!!!
Those additions sound delicious Penny! I look forward to hearing about other changes that you make from the template 🙂
This was great. Saved it to my carb manager so I don’t lose it. Thanks!
this is the BEST recipe! I always add more garlic, bc I love the garlic. But I have made this multiple times. Sometimes if I have cauliflower and or onions I will add ! Thank you for sharing this!
I have made this 5-6 times It’s that good. My mom used to make a broccoli chicken casserole with cream of chicken soup and mayonnaise for the filling and breadcrumbs added with the cheese on top and this comes pretty darn close to it while being keto friendly! Fantastic recipe. Thank you!!
Thank you for your kind words, Mel!
LOVELOVELOVE this casserole! Made it exactly as written. It also freezes well, I made it and froze leftovers, had that last night. THANK YOU, GERRI!
Easy to make. A winner, every time!
The last time I made this I added 1T curry powder and topped with cilantro,to the recipe, minus basil. Delicious!!!
Sounds delicious Jackie!!
This is delicious!! My husband and I love it…thanks for sharing!! A must try for those who haven’t.
Just made this recipe. Made it like it was listed except for the basil (I didn’t have any). It was so quick and easy to make. And it was delicious! Loved the sauce! Will definitely make again!
I made this tonight and it was fantastic. I have a similar recipe however it called for canned cream of chicken and mayonnaise. I loved making the cream sauce for this knowing everything that was going in it. My recipe also called for bread crumbs which obviously I am not eating. This was so rich and filling and bread crumbs were not missed at all! Very good and will definitely make again!
Absolutely tasty! Very flavorful and extremely filling! I added mushrooms just because I needed to use them but other than that, this was perfect!
This is absolutely Delish.I made exactly as recipe stated to do.
I will definitely be making again.
A big hit! I personally would have used half of the Dijon mustard, but I’m not a huge fan of it anyway. Definitely a keeper! Thanks!!
My family loved this recipe. I didn’t have fresh basil so I used dried. We will definitely make this again.
Can you please tell me what application you used to calculate the nutritional information? I’m getting much higher numbers – particularly net carbs of 15 – using mine!
Hi Lorrie,
We use a feature that is built-in as part of the recipe card. I would recommend checking each ingredient as some apps rely on users entering data, which is not always accurate.
I forgot to rate it 5 stars, see above or below?
This was amazing, everyone in my family loved it! I did make a few alterations out of necessity cause it’s what I had on hand:
1. Used 1 C Heavy Whipping Cream (no almond milk)
2. Used only 4 oz of cream cheese, that’s all I had
3. used 6 chicken breasts (probably over 3lbs) that I cooked and cubed before putting it in the oven.
4. Used frozen broccoli, sauteed in oil and seasoned ahead of putting in the casserole.
5. Added onion powder and extra salt/pepper to taste
6. Omitted basil
7. Added red pepper flakes, cause we like it spicy!
8. Used a combination of cheeses and mixed it into the casserole instead of just putting it on top.
My husband and teenage son raved about this dish, thank you so much! I’ll be back to try some of your other keto recipes for sure!
I’m so glad you and your family enjoyed it Holly! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Great recipe. I used all heavy cream, topped with crushed pork rinds for a crispy topping. Really good comfort food!
This reminds me of my Chicken Divan, but creamier & without the rice. However, I made regular rice for the kids and riced cauliflower for myself with some Tabasco… Y.U.M!!!
This is perfect to take to someone who needs a meal cooked for them. Huge hit!
This was really tasty, but was the sauce suppose to thicken, pretty watery
Hi Debbie,
The sauce shouldn’t be watery, you might need to drain your broccoli a bit more next time.
Love this recipe I too add just all heavy cream it’s delicious!
YUMMY!!! It was very delicious and the whole family loved it!! So, it gets 5 stars!!!!!!
Excellent tasting & very filling. The only thing I didn’t did was the basil. Maybe next time.
That was amazing. Absolutely delicious!!!!
AHHHMAZING ENTIRE FAMILY LOVED IT
Muito bom adorei a receita!
Obrigado Maria!
Great recipe with simple ingredients! I made some extra sauce and added in a head of cauliflower. My husband loved it!
Glad you enjoyed it Annette. Thanks for stopping by!
Great recipe! I left out almond milk and basil, added cup of cauliflower rice and added a cup more cheese. Yummy!
Soooo good! Full disclosure… I didn’t have Almond Milk so I just added more heavy cream! Delicious!
great and easy to prepare