Low Carb Crack Chicken Casserole – Creamy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing

This Low Carb Crack Chicken Casserole is the kind of weeknight dinner that makes everyone happy. It’s creamy, cheesy, smoky, and loaded with flavor—without the carb overload. If you’re eating low carb or just want a satisfying, easy meal, this recipe delivers every time.

It’s great for meal prep, kid-friendly, and the leftovers taste even better the next day. Simple ingredients, minimal effort, big payoff.

Low Carb Crack Chicken Casserole - Creamy, Cheesy, and Crowd-Pleasing

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (low carb)
• 1/3 cup heavy cream (or unsweetened almond milk for lighter)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or 1/2 cup real bacon bits)
• 1 packet ranch seasoning (about 1 oz) or 2 tbsp homemade ranch mix
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups low-carb veggies (optional): small broccoli florets, cauliflower rice, or sliced zucchini
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon butter or avocado oil (for sautéing veggies, if using)

Instructions

 

• Prep your oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9x13-inch casserole dish or similar baking pan.
• Cook the bacon: In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and crumble. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat if you plan to sauté veggies.
• Optional veggie step: If using broccoli or cauliflower, lightly sauté in butter or bacon fat for 3–4 minutes to soften slightly. If using zucchini, sauté just 2 minutes to avoid excess moisture.
• Make the creamy base: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy cream. Mix until smooth.
• Season it: Stir in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Add the stars: Fold in cooked chicken, half of the crumbled bacon, 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar, and any sautéed veggies. Mix until evenly coated.
• Assemble the casserole: Spread the mixture into the prepared dish. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and the rest of the bacon.
• Bake: Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted with lightly golden spots.
• Finish and serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve as-is or with a crisp side salad.

What Makes This Special

This casserole combines tender chicken with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and ranch flavors—classic “crack chicken” goodness—baked into a comforting dish that’s naturally low in carbs. It’s flexible enough to add veggies, adjust spices, and use what you have on hand.

Plus, it’s quick to assemble, especially if you start with cooked chicken. The result is rich and satisfying without feeling heavy or complicated.

• Low carb and keto-friendly: No pasta or rice, just protein, cheese, and veggies.
• Family-approved flavors: Creamy ranch, cheddar, and bacon make it hard to resist.
• Meal-prep friendly: Holds up well for several days and reheats beautifully.
• Fast and flexible: Use rotisserie chicken, leftover bacon, and whatever low-carb veggies you like.

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced (rotisserie works great)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup sour cream or plain Greek yogurt (low carb)
• 1/3 cup heavy cream (or unsweetened almond milk for lighter)
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
• 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled (or 1/2 cup real bacon bits)
• 1 packet ranch seasoning (about 1 oz) or 2 tbsp homemade ranch mix
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (optional, for depth)
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 2 cups low-carb veggies (optional): small broccoli florets, cauliflower rice, or sliced zucchini
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced (for garnish)
• 1 tablespoon butter or avocado oil (for sautéing veggies, if using)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Prep your oven and pan: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish or similar baking pan.
2. Cook the bacon: In a skillet, cook bacon until crispy.

   Drain on a paper towel and crumble. Reserve 1 tablespoon of bacon fat if you plan to sauté veggies.

3. Optional veggie step: If using broccoli or cauliflower, lightly sauté in butter or bacon fat for 3–4 minutes to soften slightly. If using zucchini, sauté just 2 minutes to avoid excess moisture.
4. Make the creamy base: In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, and heavy cream.

   Mix until smooth.

5. Season it: Stir in ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Taste and adjust seasoning.
6. Add the stars: Fold in cooked chicken, half of the crumbled bacon, 1½ cups of the shredded cheddar, and any sautéed veggies. Mix until evenly coated.
7. Assemble the casserole: Spread the mixture into the prepared dish.

   Top with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar and the rest of the bacon.

8. Bake: Bake uncovered for 18–22 minutes, until hot and bubbly and the cheese is melted with lightly golden spots.
9. Finish and serve: Let it rest for 5 minutes to set. Garnish with sliced green onions. Serve as-is or with a crisp side salad.

How to Store

• Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze: Freeze tightly sealed portions for up to 2 months.

  For best texture, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

• Reheat: Microwave in 60–90 second bursts, or cover and warm in a 325°F (165°C) oven for 15–20 minutes. Add a splash of cream if it seems dry.

Health Benefits

• Low in carbs: Skips starches in favor of protein and fat, which helps keep blood sugar more stable.
• High in protein: Chicken boosts satiety and supports muscle maintenance.
• Nutrient-dense add-ins: Broccoli, cauliflower, or zucchini add fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants without many carbs.
• Customizable fats: You can use full-fat dairy for keto, or lighten with Greek yogurt and reduced cheese while staying low carb.

What Not to Do

• Don’t add watery veggies raw: Zucchini and cauliflower can release moisture and make the casserole soupy. Lightly sauté or steam off extra liquid first.
• Don’t skip seasoning: The dish relies on ranch and aromatics.

  Under-seasoning makes it flat.

• Don’t overbake: It’s already cooked. You’re just melting and bubbling. Overbaking dries out the chicken.
• Don’t use sweetened dairy alternatives: Choose unsweetened almond or coconut milk if substituting.
• Don’t forget to rest: A brief rest helps the creamy sauce set for cleaner slices.

Variations You Can Try

• Buffalo Style: Add 2–3 tablespoons buffalo hot sauce to the cream mixture.

  Garnish with extra green onion and a drizzle of ranch.

• Jalapeño Popper: Stir in 1–2 fresh jalapeños (seeded and diced) and swap half the cheddar for pepper jack.
• Loaded Broccoli: Use 2–3 cups of lightly steamed broccoli florets and add a sprinkle of chives before serving.
• Tex-Mex: Add 1 teaspoon chili powder and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Top with Monterey Jack and diced tomatoes (seeded) after baking.
• Bacon-Free: Skip the bacon and add sautéed mushrooms for savory depth.
• Air Fryer Mini Bakes: Portion into ramekins and air fry at 350°F (175°C) for 8–10 minutes until bubbly.
• Turkey or Rotisserie Swap: Use leftover turkey or store-bought rotisserie chicken for convenience.

FAQ

Can I make this ahead?

Yes. Assemble everything except the final cheese and bacon topping, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours.

Add the topping right before baking and add 5–8 minutes to the bake time.

Is ranch seasoning low carb?

Most packets are low in carbs, but check the label for added sugars or starches. Homemade ranch mix is easy and lets you control ingredients.

What’s the best cheese to use?

Sharp cheddar gives the boldest flavor, but you can mix in mozzarella for stretch or Monterey Jack for a milder, creamy finish.

How can I lighten it up?

Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, swap half the cream cheese for Neufchâtel (1/3 less fat), and use a bit less cheese. Keep seasoning punchy so it still tastes rich.

Can I make it spicy?

Absolutely.

Add crushed red pepper, chopped jalapeños, or a splash of hot sauce to the creamy mixture. Pepper jack cheese also adds heat.

What should I serve with it?

Try a simple green salad, roasted asparagus, or a quick side of garlicky green beans. If you’re not strict low carb, a small serving over cauliflower rice works great.

Why is my casserole watery?

Likely from high-moisture veggies or not pre-cooking them.

Sauté or steam off excess water first, and avoid covering during baking.

Can I use raw chicken?

This recipe is designed for cooked chicken. If starting with raw, cube it small and sauté until just cooked before mixing into the casserole.

Wrapping Up

Low Carb Crack Chicken Casserole is a reliable, go-to dinner that’s both comforting and simple. It satisfies a craving for creamy, cheesy goodness without weighing you down.

Keep the base recipe on hand, then mix and match veggies, spices, and cheeses to fit your taste. It’s easy to prep, easy to store, and easy to love—perfect for busy nights and cozy weekends alike.