Low Carb Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Bake – Simple, Comforting, and Satisfying

This is the kind of weeknight dinner that makes everyone at the table happy. It’s creamy, cheesy, and loaded with juicy chicken and tender broccoli, yet it stays light and low in carbs. No fussy steps, no hard-to-find ingredients, and it all bakes in one dish.

You can prep it ahead, bake it fresh, or reheat leftovers when life gets busy. If you love comfort food without the heavy feeling, this one’s for you.

Low Carb Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Bake – Simple, Comforting, and Satisfying

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Servings 6 servings

Ingredients

  

• 2–2.5 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie or leftover chicken works great)
• 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, bite-sized)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend; divided)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a subtle smoky note)
• ¼ tsp ground mustard (optional, enhances cheesy flavor)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, for extra savory depth)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
• Olive oil or cooking spray, for the baking dish

Instructions

 

• Prep the oven and dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
• Par-cook the broccoli: Steam or microwave until crisp-tender, about 3–4 minutes for fresh or 4–5 for frozen. Drain well to avoid a watery bake.
• Make the sauce base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.
• Build the cream sauce: Whisk in heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir until smooth, then add onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard, salt, and pepper.
• Add the cheese: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese and the Parmesan. Mix until melted and silky.
• Combine: In the baking dish, spread the chicken and broccoli. Pour the cheese sauce over and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
• Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheese over the top. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until bubbling around the edges.
• Broil for color (optional): Broil 1–2 minutes to brown the top. Watch closely.
• Rest and serve: Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to set. Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

What Makes This Special

At its core, this bake is about flavor and simplicity. The cheese sauce is rich but balanced, coating every bite without overpowering the chicken or broccoli.

The texture hits that perfect spot—soft and creamy with a bubbly, golden top. It’s a flexible recipe, too, so you can tweak the sauce, spices, or cheese to match your taste and pantry.

Best of all, it’s naturally low carb without feeling like a compromise. You won’t miss pasta or rice here.

It’s hearty, crowd-friendly, and just as good for meal prep as it is for a cozy dinner.

What You’ll Need

• 2–2.5 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie or leftover chicken works great)
• 4 cups broccoli florets (fresh or frozen, bite-sized)
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend; divided)
• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional, for a subtle smoky note)
• ¼ tsp ground mustard (optional, enhances cheesy flavor)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp grated Parmesan (optional, for extra savory depth)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)
• Olive oil or cooking spray, for the baking dish

How to Make It

1. Prep the oven and dish: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Par-cook the broccoli: Steam or microwave until crisp-tender, about 3–4 minutes for fresh or 4–5 for frozen. Drain well to avoid a watery bake.
3. Make the sauce base: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter.

   Add garlic and cook 30–60 seconds until fragrant.

4. Build the cream sauce: Whisk in heavy cream and cream cheese. Stir until smooth, then add onion powder, smoked paprika, ground mustard, salt, and pepper.
5. Add the cheese: Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese and the Parmesan. Mix until melted and silky.
6. Combine: In the baking dish, spread the chicken and broccoli.

   Pour the cheese sauce over and toss gently to coat everything evenly.

7. Top and bake: Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup shredded cheese over the top. Bake for 18–22 minutes, until bubbling around the edges.
8. Broil for color (optional): Broil 1–2 minutes to brown the top. Watch closely.
9. Rest and serve: Let it sit for 5–10 minutes to set.

   Garnish with parsley and serve warm.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheat: Microwave individual portions 60–90 seconds, or reheat covered in a 325°F (165°C) oven until warmed through.
• Freeze: Freeze tightly wrapped portions for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat. Add a splash of cream if the sauce thickens too much.

Benefits of This Recipe

• Low carb and nutrient-dense: Broccoli adds fiber and vitamins, while chicken brings lean protein.
• One-pan convenience: Fewer dishes and easy cleanup.
• Meal-prep friendly: Holds up well for several days and reheats nicely.
• Customizable: Easy to adjust flavors, swap cheeses, or add low-carb veggies.
• Family-approved comfort: Creamy, cheesy, and familiar flavors that please picky eaters.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Watery bake: Overly wet broccoli or frozen chicken can water down the sauce.

  Drain well and pat dry.

• Broken sauce: High heat can cause the cheese sauce to separate. Keep heat moderate and stir gently.
• Under-seasoning: Taste the sauce before baking. Cheese varies in saltiness, so adjust as needed.
• Overcooking: Baking too long dries out chicken and makes broccoli mushy.

  Pull it once it’s bubbling and hot.

Recipe Variations

• Bacon ranch: Add 3–4 slices cooked, crumbled bacon and 1–2 tsp ranch seasoning to the sauce.
• Buffalo-style: Stir 2–3 tbsp buffalo sauce into the cream sauce and finish with blue cheese crumbles.
• Mushroom and spinach: Sauté sliced mushrooms and stir in a handful of baby spinach before baking.
• Cauliflower swap: Use half broccoli, half cauliflower for more texture and variety.
• Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or a pinch of chipotle powder.
• Different cheeses: Try Gruyère for nuttiness, Monterey Jack for extra melt, or a sharp white cheddar for a tangy punch.

FAQ

Can I use raw chicken instead of cooked?

You can, but it changes the timing. Dice it small, season, and sauté until just cooked before adding to the dish. Using precooked chicken keeps the bake quick and prevents overcooking.

Is there a lighter substitute for heavy cream?

Try half-and-half, but simmer gently and add a little extra cream cheese to keep the sauce thick.

Avoid milk alone, as it can make the sauce thin and less stable.

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Assemble it up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready, bake covered for 10 minutes, then uncover and bake until bubbling and hot.

What should I serve it with?

It’s great on its own, but you can add a simple side salad, roasted asparagus, or zucchini noodles.

If you’re not strictly low carb, serve with a small portion of rice or crusty bread.

How do I keep the sauce smooth?

Use softened cream cheese, keep the heat medium, and add shredded cheese gradually while stirring. If it looks too thick, whisk in a splash of cream. If too thin, simmer a few extra minutes.

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Absolutely.

Thaw or microwave it first, then drain and pat dry very well. Excess moisture is the main reason a bake turns soupy.

How many carbs are in a serving?

Exact counts vary by ingredients, but a typical serving lands around 6–8 net carbs. Check your cheese and cream labels and portion size for accuracy.

Can I add more protein?

Yes.

Add cooked crumbled sausage or diced ham for extra protein and flavor. Just keep an eye on salt since cured meats can be salty.

Final Thoughts

This Low Carb Cheesy Chicken & Broccoli Bake is comfort food made simpler and smarter. It leans on familiar ingredients, comes together fast, and tastes rich without being heavy.

Keep it classic, or use the variations to make it your own. With minimal effort and big flavor, it’s the kind of weeknight winner you’ll make again and again.