Keto Jalapeño Chicken Casserole (Print Version)

Creamy chicken casserole with smoky bacon, spicy jalapeños, and cauliflower rice for a low-carb comfort dish.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein & Dairy

01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Vegetables

07 - 4 cups cauliflower rice, fresh or frozen
08 - 4 to 5 jalapeños, seeded and diced, plus extra slices for garnish
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

→ Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - 1 tablespoon oil for sautéing

# How-To Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
02 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Remove from heat.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth.
04 - Fold in cooked chicken, sautéed cauliflower rice, diced jalapeños, minced garlic, half the crumbled bacon, and half the green onions. Stir until well combined.
05 - Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and bacon.
06 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until bubbly and golden on top.
07 - Garnish with extra jalapeño slices and remaining green onions before serving.

# Helpful Tips:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent and restaurant-worthy but comes together in under an hour with minimal effort.
  • The spicy-creamy balance keeps you reaching for seconds without any guilt on keto or low-carb plans.
  • Bacon and jalapeños do all the heavy lifting, so the dish never feels boring or plain.
02 -
  • If your casserole looks watery after baking, you either didn't squeeze out the cauliflower rice or used frozen that wasn't fully thawed—drain as much liquid as you can before mixing next time.
  • Don't skip sautéing the cauliflower rice; it removes excess moisture and prevents a soggy casserole that falls apart when you scoop it.
  • Cream cheese must be softened, or you'll end up with little pockets of unmixed cheese that ruin the smooth, creamy texture everyone expects.
03 -
  • Make this the night before and refrigerate it unbaked, then just bake it the next day—it's perfect for when you want an impressive dinner without last-minute stress.
  • If you're meal prepping, divide it into smaller containers after baking and freeze for up to three months; thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
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