Keto Cheesy Broccoli Chicken (Print Version)

Creamy chicken and broccoli bake with melted cheddar and herbs for an easy, flavorful meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cooked and shredded or cubed

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
05 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Pantry

07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish (8x12 inches).
02 - Steam or microwave the broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain well and set aside.
03 - Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, sautéed garlic, half the shredded cheddar, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian herbs. Mix until everything is well coated.
05 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top.
06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
07 - Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes decadent and restaurant-quality, but comes together in less time than ordering takeout.
  • You can prep it while your oven preheats, making weeknight dinners actually feasible when life gets chaotic.
  • The cheese gets impossibly melty and golden while the broccoli stays bright and just tender enough—it's the textural balance that keeps you coming back.
02 -
  • Don't skip steaming the broccoli beforehand—raw broccoli releases moisture during baking and can make your casserole watery, no matter how creamy your sauce is.
  • The cream cheese needs to be softened or it'll create lumps instead of melting smoothly into the sauce, so let it sit on the counter for ten minutes before mixing.
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is a legitimate time-saver that nobody judges—shred it right into your bowl and skip that step entirely.
  • If your cream cheese is too cold, it'll create lumps instead of a smooth sauce, so let it sit out for ten minutes before you start mixing, or break it into smaller pieces so it incorporates faster.
Go Back