Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole – Creamy, Cozy, and Low-Carb

This casserole checks every box: creamy, cheesy, savory, and easy to make on a weeknight. If you love ranch dressing and crispy bacon, you’re already halfway sold. It’s a crowd-pleaser that also happens to be low-carb and gluten-free, which makes it great for mixed households.

You get tender chicken, smoky bacon, and broccoli baked in a rich ranch cream sauce. It reheats well, freezes well, and tastes like comfort food without the carb crash.

What Makes This Recipe So Good

• Big flavor, simple steps: A handful of everyday ingredients come together fast, and ranch seasoning does the heavy lifting.
• Family-approved: Creamy cheese, bacon, and juicy chicken make this easy to serve to picky eaters.
• Weeknight-friendly: Uses cooked chicken, so you can pull it together in about 35–40 minutes.
• Keto and gluten-free: No pasta, no bread crumbs, just protein, low-carb veggies, and a creamy sauce.
• Great for meal prep: Holds well in the fridge and freezer and reheats without getting watery.

What You’ll Need

• Chicken: 4 cups cooked chicken, chopped or shredded (rotisserie works great).
• Bacon: 8 slices, cooked and crumbled.
• Broccoli: 4 cups small florets (fresh or frozen), lightly steamed.
• Cream cheese: 8 ounces, softened.
• Heavy cream: 1/2 cup.
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt: 1/2 cup (yogurt for a bit more tang).
• Ranch seasoning: 2 tablespoons dry mix (use a sugar-free blend).
• Garlic powder: 1 teaspoon.
• Onion powder: 1/2 teaspoon.
• Shredded cheese: 2 cups total (split), such as mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or mild cheddar.
• Parmesan: 1/4 cup grated, optional for extra savory bite.
• Butter: 1 tablespoon, for greasing the dish (or use avocado oil).
• Salt and pepper: To taste.
• Optional add-ins: 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika, 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions, red pepper flakes for heat.

Instructions

1. Preheat and prep: Heat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly butter a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
2. Cook the bacon: Fry bacon until crisp.

   Drain on paper towels and crumble. Reserve 1 tablespoon bacon fat if you want extra flavor in the sauce.

3. Steam the broccoli: Lightly steam until just tender but still bright green, about 3–4 minutes. Drain well to avoid a watery casserole.
4. Make the sauce: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese until smooth.

   Add heavy cream, sour cream, ranch seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk until creamy. Stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese and the Parmesan.

5. Assemble: Add cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, and half the crumbled bacon to the bowl.

   Fold until everything is coated in the sauce.

6. Transfer and top: Spoon the mixture into the greased casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining 1 cup shredded cheese and the rest of the bacon on top.
7. Bake: Bake 18–22 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the edges are bubbling. If you like a golden top, broil for 1–2 minutes at the end.
8. Finish and serve: Let rest 5 minutes to set.

   Top with chopped chives or green onions if using. Taste and adjust salt and pepper before serving.

Storage Instructions

• Fridge: Store in an airtight container for 3–4 days. Reheat covered at 325°F (165°C) for 10–15 minutes or microwave in short bursts.
• Freezer: Cool completely.

  Wrap tightly or portion into freezer-safe containers. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat covered at 325°F until hot.

• Meal prep tip: Bake in two 8×8 dishes.

  Eat one now and freeze the other for later.

Health Benefits

• Low in carbs: Skips pasta and potatoes, making it a solid fit for keto, low-carb, or gluten-free eating.
• High in protein: Chicken delivers steady energy and helps with fullness and muscle maintenance.
• Quality fats: Dairy and bacon provide fat that helps with satiety, especially in a ketogenic approach.
• Micronutrients: Broccoli adds fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, and antioxidants without adding many carbs.
• Customizable: You control the sodium and can use lighter dairy if you aren’t strictly keto.

Pitfalls to Watch Out For

• Watery casserole: Over-steamed or wet broccoli can thin the sauce. Drain well and pat dry if needed.
• Too salty: Bacon, ranch mix, and cheese all have salt. Taste the sauce before adding more salt.
• Curdled sauce: Cold cream cheese can clump.

  Soften it first and whisk thoroughly with the cream and sour cream.

• Hidden carbs: Some ranch mixes have sugar or starch. Choose a sugar-free brand or make your own.
• Dry chicken: Overcooked chicken turns stringy. Use just-cooked chicken or rotisserie for the best texture.

Alternatives

• Protein swaps: Use turkey, leftover roast chicken, shredded pork, or cooked salmon.

  For a vegetarian twist, try sautéed mushrooms and extra broccoli with a bit more cheese.

• Veggie swaps: Cauliflower florets, green beans, or zucchini (salt and pat dry) all work. Mix and match for variety.
• Dairy options: Replace sour cream with full-fat Greek yogurt for extra tang. Use pepper jack for spice, or gouda for a smoky note.
• Homemade ranch: Mix 2 teaspoons dried dill, 1 teaspoon dried parsley, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/2 teaspoon dried chives, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
• Lighter version: Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream and part-skim cheese.

  It won’t be strictly keto, but it will be lighter.

• Extra crunch: Top with crushed pork rinds before baking for a zero-carb “breadcrumb” finish.

FAQ

Can I use frozen broccoli?

Yes. Thaw and drain it well, then pat dry. If using straight from frozen, steam briefly and drain to keep the sauce from getting watery.

What’s the best cheese to use?

Mozzarella melts smoothly, Monterey Jack adds creaminess, and cheddar brings sharper flavor.

A mix of mozzarella and cheddar is a safe bet. Freshly shredded cheese melts better than pre-shredded.

How many carbs are in a serving?

Exact numbers depend on your brands and portions. As a ballpark, a generous serving usually lands around 4–7 net carbs.

Use a nutrition calculator with your specific ingredients for accuracy.

Can I make this ahead?

Absolutely. Assemble up to the point of baking, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if it’s going in cold.

Is there a way to make it spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, a dash of hot sauce, or swap in pepper jack cheese.

You can also add chopped pickled jalapeños to the mix.

Can I use ranch dressing instead of dry seasoning?

You can, but the sauce may be thinner and higher in carbs. If using dressing, reduce the heavy cream slightly and taste as you go.

What if I don’t eat pork?

Use turkey bacon or skip bacon and add smoked paprika for a similar smoky note. A handful of sautéed mushrooms can boost umami.

Final Thoughts

Keto Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole is the kind of recipe you can keep in your back pocket for busy nights.

It’s simple, flexible, and consistently delicious. With a few pantry staples and a rotisserie chicken, you get a cozy, low-carb dinner that makes great leftovers. Customize the cheese, swap the veggies, and make it your own.

When you want comfort without the carbs, this casserole delivers.