Description
This Easy Low Carb Chicken Casserole is a creamy, flavorful dish featuring tender seared chicken breasts baked in a rich sauce made with mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, garlic, and spices, topped with sharp cheddar cheese and bacon bits. Perfect for a comforting, low-carb dinner, it comes together quickly and delivers a satisfying meal for four servings.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (8 oz each, 32 oz total)
- Avocado oil spray
- ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or ¼ teaspoon regular salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Sauce
- ¼ cup mayonnaise (or up to ⅓ cup for a creamier casserole)
- ¼ cup sour cream (or up to ⅓ cup for a creamier casserole)
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt (or ¼ teaspoon regular salt)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (divided)
Toppings
- ¼ cup scallions (green parts only), sliced
- ¼ cup bacon bits (room temperature)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly spray a casserole dish with avocado oil spray to prevent sticking.
- Sear Chicken: Lightly season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Heat a skillet over medium heat and sear the chicken breasts for 2–3 minutes on each side until they are lightly browned. This step is optional but adds extra flavor and color.
- Make the Sauce: In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, sour cream, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, pepper, dried thyme, paprika, and cayenne pepper. Mix well, then stir in half of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese (½ cup) to incorporate into the sauce.
- Assemble Casserole: Place the seared (or raw, if you skip searing) chicken breasts evenly in the prepared casserole dish. Spread the cheese sauce evenly over the chicken breasts, ensuring they are well coated.
- Add Cheese Topping: Sprinkle the remaining shredded sharp cheddar cheese (½ cup) evenly over the top of the sauce-covered chicken breasts.
- Bake: Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake uncovered for 25–30 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Once baked, remove the casserole from the oven. Garnish with sliced scallions and bacon bits before serving for added crunch and flavor.
Notes
- For a creamier casserole, you can increase the mayonnaise and sour cream to â…“ cup each.
- Searing the chicken breast first adds flavor, but you can skip this step if you’re short on time.
- Make sure the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 165°F (74°C) for safe consumption.
- You can substitute bacon bits with cooked crispy bacon pieces for a fresher taste.
- This dish stores well and can be refrigerated for up to 3 days; reheat thoroughly before serving.
