BEST KETO GARLIC MUSHROOM CHICKEN CASSEROLE

Craving something creamy, comforting, and completely keto-friendly? Imagine tender chicken and earthy mushrooms swimming in a luscious garlic sauce, all baked to bubbly perfection. This Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole delivers that satisfying experience without the carbs, promising a guilt-free and flavorful meal that you’ll want to make again and again!

Let’s Gather Our Ingredients!

Alright, friend, let’s make sure we have everything we need before we dive into this incredible Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole. I’ve made it super easy for you with this list. Don’t worry, you can always adjust the seasonings to your liking. That’s what makes cooking fun!

Step-by-Step: Let’s Cook This Casserole!

Okay, my friend, are you ready to transform these ingredients into a mouthwatering Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole? Don’t worry, I’ll walk you through every step. Just follow along, and you’ll have a delicious dinner on the table in no time!

1. Get Started: Prep the Chicken and Mushrooms

   First, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then, in a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

2. Sauté the Mushrooms and Garlic

   In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Sauté until the mushrooms are tender and have released their moisture, about 5-7 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you might need to do this in batches.

3. Make the Creamy Garlic Sauce

   Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, and softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.

4. Combine Everything and Bake

   Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated. Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, if desired.

5. Bake to Perfection

   Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.

6. Garnish and Serve

   Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot. Enjoy your delicious Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole!

Tips & Tricks for Casserole Success!

Okay, friend, now that you’ve got the basic recipe down, let’s talk about some insider tips and tricks to make this Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole even *more* amazing. These are the things I’ve learned from making it countless times, and they’ll help you avoid common pitfalls and really elevate your dish.

• Don’t Overcrowd the Pan: When sautéing the mushrooms, make sure not to overcrowd the pan. This will cause them to steam instead of brown, resulting in a less flavorful dish. Work in batches if necessary.
• Soften the Cream Cheese: This is crucial! Make sure your cream cheese is nice and soft before adding it to the sauce. Otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps that are hard to get rid of. I usually leave mine out on the counter for about 30 minutes.
• Adjust the Seasoning: Taste the sauce as you go and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Don’t be afraid to add more garlic powder, onion powder, or red pepper flakes to kick things up a notch.
• Use Freshly Grated Parmesan: Pre-shredded Parmesan cheese often contains cellulose, which can prevent it from melting properly. Freshly grated Parmesan will melt beautifully and add a much better flavor.
• Don’t Overbake: Overbaking can dry out the chicken and make the casserole tough. Bake just until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
• Make Ahead: You can assemble this casserole ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Just add a few extra minutes to the baking time to ensure it’s heated through.

Variations and Substitutions: Let’s Get Creative!

One of the best things about casseroles is how versatile they are! Feel free to get creative and customize this Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole to your liking. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Add Vegetables: Toss in some chopped spinach, broccoli florets, or bell peppers for added nutrients and flavor. Sauté them along with the mushrooms.
• Change the Cheese: Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyere, Monterey Jack, or cheddar for a unique flavor profile.
• Spice it Up: Add a dash of hot sauce or a pinch of cayenne pepper to the sauce for an extra kick.
• Use Different Protein: Swap the chicken for turkey, sausage, or even shrimp.
• Add Bacon: Because bacon makes everything better, right? Cook some bacon and crumble it over the top of the casserole before baking.
• Make it Dairy-Free: Substitute the heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives. Just be aware that this will slightly alter the flavor and texture.

What to Serve with Your Casserole

This Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole is a complete meal on its own, but if you’re looking to round out your dinner, here are a few delicious side dish ideas:

• Cauliflower Rice: A classic keto side dish that pairs perfectly with the creamy casserole.
• Steamed Broccoli: A simple and healthy side dish that adds a pop of color to your plate.
• Asparagus: Roasted or grilled asparagus is a delicious and elegant side dish.
• Side Salad: A crisp and refreshing salad with a light vinaigrette dressing.
• Garlic Bread (Keto-Friendly): Find a good keto garlic bread recipe to soak up all that delicious sauce!

Explore More Delicious Keto Recipes

Looking for more amazing keto meals? I’ve got you covered! Be sure to check out these other fantastic recipes that are sure to become staples in your keto kitchen.

• Whip up some quick and easy Cheesy Garlic Chicken Wraps for a satisfying lunch.
• For a comforting family meal, try Garlic Parmesan Crockpot Chicken And Potatoes – so easy to make!
• Indulge in the rich flavors of Balsamic Baked Chicken With Melted Mozzarella for a delightful dinner.
• Try this unique and flavorful Garlic Parmesan Chicken Meatloaf for a twist on a classic.
• For a fun and flavorful weeknight dinner, try Taco Casserole.
• And don’t miss out on the ultimate comfort food, Chicken Spaghetti Casserole.

Enjoy Your Keto Journey!

There you have it, my friend! A foolproof recipe for Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole that’s sure to impress. Remember, cooking is all about experimenting and having fun, so don’t be afraid to put your own spin on this recipe. I know you’re going to love it! Happy cooking!

BEST Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole

This Keto Garlic Mushroom Chicken Casserole is a creamy and comforting dish featuring tender chicken and earthy mushrooms in a luscious garlic sauce. It’s baked to bubbly perfection, offering a guilt-free and flavorful keto-friendly meal.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Servings: 6

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Calories: 450

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts about 1.5 lbs
• 16 oz mushrooms, sliced cremini or white button
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup chicken broth low sodium
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese optional
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Equipment

• large skillet
• Measuring spoons
• Measuring cups
• 8×8-inch baking dish
• Oven
• knife
• cutting board
• Mixing spoon

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and butter over medium heat.
3. Add the chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Season with salt, pepper, and thyme. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
4. In the same skillet, add the sliced mushrooms and minced garlic. Sauté until the mushrooms are tender and have released their moisture, about 5-7 minutes. Don’t overcrowd the pan; you might need to do this in batches.
5. Reduce the heat to low. Add the heavy cream, chicken broth, and softened cream cheese to the skillet. Stir until the cream cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
6. Add the Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes (if using). Season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
7. Add the cooked chicken back to the skillet with the mushroom sauce. Stir to combine, ensuring the chicken is evenly coated.
8. Pour the mixture into a greased 8×8 inch baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese, if desired.
9. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving.
10. Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot.

Notes

Don’t overcrowd the pan when sautéing mushrooms. Soften the cream cheese before adding it to the sauce to avoid lumps. Adjust seasoning to taste. Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best melting and flavor. Do not overbake. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add vegetables like spinach or broccoli. Experiment with different cheeses like Gruyere or Monterey Jack. Add hot sauce or cayenne pepper for extra spice. Substitute chicken for turkey, sausage, or shrimp. Add bacon for extra flavor. Make it dairy-free by substituting heavy cream and cream cheese with coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.