Healthy Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole Recipe
This Healthy Chicken Cauliflower Rice Casserole is a delicious, low-carb, and comforting dish that combines tender shredded chicken with flavorful sautéed cauliflower rice and creamy cheese. It’s perfect for a nutritious family meal and can easily be customized with your favorite vegetables for a wholesome, satisfying bake.
- Author: Marco
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Protein
- 3 cups shredded chicken (rotisserie or cooked chicken breast)
Vegetables
- 4 cups cauliflower rice (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup chopped spinach, broccoli florets, or sliced mushrooms (optional)
Dairy
- 8 oz (1 cup) cream cheese (softened) or Greek yogurt for a lighter version
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (divided, or a mix of cheeses like mozzarella and parmesan)
Seasonings & Oils
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing cauliflower rice)
- Prep Your Ingredients: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). If using raw chicken, cook thoroughly and shred it. For cauliflower rice, either pulse fresh cauliflower florets in a food processor until rice-sized or use store-bought cauliflower rice.
- Sauté the Cauliflower Rice: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the cauliflower rice and sauté for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cauliflower is tender and most moisture has evaporated to prevent a soggy casserole.
- Prepare Additional Vegetables (Optional): If adding spinach, broccoli, or mushrooms, sauté them lightly in a separate pan until just tender to enhance their flavor and texture.
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, sautéed cauliflower rice, cream cheese or Greek yogurt, half of the shredded cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly blended. Fold in the sautéed vegetables if using.
- Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the top to create a golden, bubbly crust when baked.
- Bake: Bake the casserole uncovered in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling. Once done, remove from oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving to allow it to set.
Notes
- You can substitute cream cheese with Greek yogurt for a lighter, tangier version.
- Feel free to add your favorite low-carb vegetables like bell peppers or zucchini.
- For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
- Use a food thermometer to ensure chicken is cooked to 165°F if cooking raw chicken yourself.
- The casserole can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg
Keywords: healthy chicken casserole, cauliflower rice recipe, low carb casserole, easy chicken bake, gluten free chicken casserole