Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Bake: The Best Comfort Food for Low Carb Lovers

Introduction

Ketogenic diet has been among the most sought after diets needed in weight loss as well as general health and this has not been determined without a good reason. Fat and protein make up the lion share of the daily calorie intake with a carbohydrate intake that is very minimal, thereby the body is put into Ketosis, where it burns fats for energy.

 This results in rapid but healthy weight loss, therefore exercising is a factor that can be used to avoid the yo-yo effect.

But, as with any diet, there are some sacrifices such as leaving out some keto friendly meals and any other carbohydrate filled meals. That is why it is crucial to create delicious keto recipes that one can follow so that the diet can be followed to the later stages.

 This is the perfect comfort food and the ultimate low carb meal that will surely leave you craving for more! Introducing the keto cheesy broccoli chicken bake.

Chicken and broccoli are two foods that are nutritional powerhouses that provide important nutrients when consumed in moderation.

In a nutshell, there are several ways in which chicken and broccoli are good partners for both keto and overall health. First, chicken breast is a lean source of complete protein which in it, is all the essential amino acids we require. 

That is why broccoli is among the most nutritional green veggies, containing vitamins C, K, and folate, as well as sulforaphane – a compound that combats cancer.

Another fact about broccoli is that it has a lot of fiber which makes carb intake low, which is important when on keto diets which require higher fiber intake. Fiber is crucial for the timely movement of food in the stomach and bowel movement.

Broccoli and cheddar, on the other hand, make for a simple yet heavenly combination. Not only does this dish have comforting, delicious and filling ingredients such as broccoli, chicken and cheese, you also get all the comfort with a fraction of the carbs because broccoli, chicken, and cheese are incorporated in this bake.

This is a list of ingredients needed for the preparation of the keto cheesy broccoli chicken bake.

This easy recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients:This easy recipe comes together with just a handful of ingredients:

• Chicken breasts that do not have skin on and / or bones in them
• Broccoli florets
• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar cheese
• Roasted red peppers
• Garlic powder
• Salt and pepper

The quantity of each ingredient and how each component of this tasty chicken broccoli casserole is prepared is listed further below.

Advantages Of This Keto Chicken Broccoli Bake

There are so many great things about this meal:There are so many great things about this meal:

• It also gives lean protein from the chicken to ensure that the muscles do not break down.
• Packed with micronutrients as well as antioxidants a broccoli
• Cheese that has healthy monounsaturated fats that are considered to be heart friendly.
• Also very low in carbs and can suit a keto diet in the best way possible.
• Gourmet tastes that the entire household will surely enjoy
• There is really no time wasted because it is very easy to prepare and that is very helpful especially on busy weeknights.

This is also a very forgiving recipe; you can add more or less of an ingredient, use different types of vegetables, etc. Be sure to try other mix-ins like mushrooms, onions or hot sauce for that extra flavor boost depending on your preference. It is best served with a simple side salad, but can also be stuffed into bell peppers.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Now that we have had an insight let’s start cooking with this easy to understand recipe below.

Ingredients:

• Creating the recipe: 1.5 lbs of boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 cups of fresh broccoli florets
• 8 oz, cream cheese softened
• Half cup of cheddar cheese and half cup of butter, melted
• 1/2 cup chopped roasted red peppers
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• pinch of salt and pepper, or half a teaspoon of each.

Directions:

1. Put the discs on the baking sheets and place them into the preheated oven at 350°F. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees and grease a baking pan of 9×13 inches using non-stick cooking spray.
2. Pour in the broccoli and roasted red peppers and stir the vegetables to coat them with the sauce. Put in half the garlic powder, salt, and pepper you used earlier for the ground beef.
3. Distribute the chicken breasts in a uniform manner on top of the broccoli in the pan. Sprinkle the rest of the garlic powder, salt and pepper and let the chicken season for at least 15 minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, mix cream cheese and 1 cup cheddar cheese, while ensuring that both are well combined and smooth. Spread evenly over chicken.
5. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese on top.
6. Bake for about 35-40 minutes until the chicken is fully cooked and the cheese and pepper topping is melted.
7. It must be allowed to rest for 5 mins before being served. Enjoy!

Read More: How to Make the Perfect Keto Broccoli Chicken Bake

• You should definitely use full fat cream cheese and only real cheese. Low fat varieties do not melt as freely.
• If you are on strict keto, make sure to consider carbs when checking your cheese. Most industrial processed pre-shredded cheese contains this ingredient, starch.
• When cooking, chop chicken breasts into smaller pieces, and put in the pan.
• If you would like the broccoli to be a little crispy, then you should first fry them in the oven before incorporating to the dish.
• When serving, if you fancy some spices then pour hot sauce over each portion of spaghetti.

Here are some other keto casserole recipes for your perusal:

If you love hearty, comfort food casseroles, be sure to also try these low carb hits:If you love hearty, comfort food casseroles, be sure to also try these low carb hits:

• Keto Taco Casserole
• Zucchini Noodle Lasagna
• For Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole,
• Turkey Spinach Casserole

Substituting the starchy ingredients with other keto friendly constituents such as the green vegetables, cream and cheese can help in preparing the baked meals.

What’s More, Can You Freeze This Keto Chicken Broccoli Bake?

While it is very possible to stick to a keto diet during the weekdays, freezing meals is one of the ways of making it easier. On a brighter note, this cheesy chicken and broccoli casserole freezes well!

Here’s how:

1. Many people love to prepare a big batch of casserole and store the leftovers for later consumption. It is recommended to freeze the casserole when it has cooled down to room temperature.
2. It is then advisable to cover it tightly with heavy Duty foil before putting it in a freezer bag or an airtight container.
3. Reheat properly from the chiller before consumption The product is best thawed in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
4. Transfer each to a baking dish, then reheat gently in the oven at 375°F until hot in the center, around 30 minutes.

Tips for Freezing:

• Better to freeze in portions that will be perfect for one or two servings as opposed to freezing the whole pan.
• Avoid freezing for more than 2-3 months to enjoy the taste and texture of the cooked dish.
• Refrigerating it allows it to defrost, and one must reheat the casserole properly to avoid a soggy dish or parts that remain raw.

Freezing the servings also means that you will be having the best keto dinner ready in just a few minutes every rainy night!

Conclusion

That is why it can sometimes be challenging to find keto recipes that are ideal for carb lovers, but once you do, it becomes easier to stick with the diet. This is true in the case of the Keto Cheesy Broccoli Chicken Bake, as it meets expectations in taste, nutritional value, and preparation.

 And it is also versatile to prepare it in advance so that it only requires reheating at a certain point.

Offering delicious comfort food, this casserole uses chicken with two popular vegetables – broccoli and cheddar. Perfect for dinner with a side salad or even prepare several to freeze so it is ready for another meal. But, each serving is packed with protein and low in glycemic index, and, best of all, contains less than 10 net carbs!