If there’s one thing most of us can agree on, it’s that chicken is an incredibly versatile protein. From simple weeknight dinners to show-stopping dishes for family gatherings, chicken adapts beautifully to any flavor profile and culinary style. But what if you’re following a ketogenic lifestyle, limiting carbs, or just trying to eat healthier while still enjoying indulgent flavors? That’s where these 11 keto chicken recipes come in—a curated collection of dishes that are not only low in carbs but rich in flavor, texture, and satisfaction.
In this extensive blog post, I’m going to walk you through each recipe, offering a detailed explanation of why it works, how it tastes, and what makes it perfect for keto and low-carb lifestyles. I’ll share insights, tips, and little secrets to help you get the most out of each dish. Whether you’re cooking for your family, meal prepping for the week, or just craving something extraordinary, these recipes are here to blow your mind.
Table of Contents
- 11. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
- 10. Keto Chicken Alfredo Casserole
- 9. Keto Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Sauce
- 8. BBQ Bacon Chicken Bombs
- 7. Buffalo Chicken Tenders
- 6. Creamy Parmesan Chicken Carbonara
- 5. Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
- 4. Keto Chicken Quesadilla
- 3. Chicken Breasts with Jalapeño Cream Sauce
- 2. Cheesy Bacon Chicken
- 1. Keto Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
11. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
There’s something about the combination of chicken, bacon, and ranch that instantly feels like comfort food. This keto-friendly casserole is a perfect weeknight dinner for families, combining the smoky richness of bacon with tender chicken and a creamy, cheesy ranch sauce.
The beauty of this dish lies in its simplicity. While it tastes indulgent, it comes together quickly, making it ideal for busy nights. For those who like to meal prep, it keeps wonderfully in the fridge, allowing you to enjoy delicious, ready-made portions throughout the week.
Directions for Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole
Step 1: Preheat Your Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with butter or cooking spray.
Step 2: Cook the Bacon
Cook bacon slices in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Remove from pan, crumble, and set aside.
Step 3: Prepare the Chicken
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and your preferred herbs. Sear in a skillet for 3-4 minutes per side until golden but not fully cooked.
Step 4: Assemble the Casserole
Layer the chicken in your prepared baking dish, sprinkle crumbled bacon on top, and pour a generous amount of ranch dressing evenly over the mixture.
Step 5: Add Cheese
Top with shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked and cheese is melted and bubbly.
10. Keto Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Cheese lovers, rejoice. This creamy, rich chicken Alfredo casserole brings together tender chicken, a velvety Alfredo sauce, and low-carb vegetables like cauliflower. It’s indulgent, filling, and perfect for anyone craving comfort food without the carbs.
This casserole has quickly become a family favorite, partly because it’s simple to prepare and partly because it delivers a rich, satisfying taste that rivals any traditional pasta dish.
Directions for Keto Chicken Alfredo Casserole
Step 1: Preheat Oven and Prepare Cauliflower
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Steam cauliflower florets until tender but still firm.
Step 2: Cook the Chicken
Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Sear until golden on both sides.
Step 3: Make the Alfredo Sauce
In a saucepan, combine heavy cream, cream cheese, and shredded Parmesan over low heat. Stir until smooth and creamy.
Step 4: Combine and Bake
Mix the cooked cauliflower and chicken with the Alfredo sauce. Pour into a baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbly.
9. Keto Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Sauce
For a dinner that feels fancy but comes together quickly, these chicken thighs with mushroom sauce are a perfect choice. The sauce is rich, earthy, and creamy, providing a luxurious complement to tender, juicy chicken.
The dish uses simple ingredients like olive oil, mushrooms, and cheese, making it nutrient-dense and flavorful while staying low in carbs.
Directions for Keto Chicken Thighs with Mushroom Sauce
Step 1: Sear the Chicken Thighs
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken thighs and sear until golden brown on both sides.
Step 2: Prepare the Mushroom Sauce
In the same skillet, sauté mushrooms with garlic until fragrant. Add heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce thickens.
Step 3: Simmer the Chicken
Return the chicken to the skillet and simmer in the mushroom sauce for 10-15 minutes until fully cooked.
8. BBQ Bacon Chicken Bombs
Imagine chicken, bacon, and cheese wrapped together into a bite-sized flavor explosion. That’s exactly what these BBQ Bacon Chicken Bombs deliver. Perfect for summer BBQs, parties, or even as an indulgent family dinner, these little packages pack a huge punch of flavor.
Directions for BBQ Bacon Chicken Bombs
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Wrap with Bacon and Cheese
Place cheese on each piece of chicken and wrap with a slice of bacon. Secure with a toothpick if needed.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 20-25 minutes until bacon is crisp and chicken is fully cooked. Serve hot with BBQ sauce for dipping.
7. Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Who says keto can’t include crispy, indulgent fried chicken? By using almond flour instead of wheat flour, these buffalo chicken tenders get the perfect crunchy coating that holds buffalo sauce beautifully.
They are quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying, making them ideal for busy weeknights or game day snacks.
Directions for Buffalo Chicken Tenders
Step 1: Preheat Oven or Air Fryer
Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C) or set your air fryer to the same temperature.
Step 2: Prepare the Chicken
Slice chicken breasts into strips and season with salt and pepper.
Step 3: Coat in Almond Flour
Dredge the chicken strips in almond flour mixed with your favorite spices.
Step 4: Bake or Fry
Bake for 15-20 minutes or air fry until golden and crispy. Toss in buffalo sauce and serve immediately.
6. Creamy Parmesan Chicken Carbonara
This is a decadent twist on a classic Italian favorite. By substituting coconut flour for wheat flour and adjusting the sauce with a touch of cream, this keto version delivers all the richness of carbonara without the carbs.
The creamy Parmesan sauce clings beautifully to the chicken, creating a dish that’s indulgent yet suitable for a ketogenic lifestyle.
Directions for Creamy Parmesan Chicken Carbonara
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season chicken breasts and sear in olive oil until golden brown.
Step 2: Make the Sauce
Combine cream, Parmesan cheese, and a touch of coconut flour in a pan over low heat, stirring until thickened.
Step 3: Combine and Serve
Return the chicken to the pan and coat in the creamy Parmesan sauce. Serve hot with a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
5. Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
Spaghetti squash makes a perfect low-carb pasta alternative. Combined with creamy chicken Alfredo sauce, this dish satisfies your pasta cravings without the high carb content of traditional noodles.
It’s nutrient-rich, comforting, and easy to prepare, making it a great addition to any keto-friendly dinner repertoire.
Directions for Chicken Alfredo Spaghetti Squash
Step 1: Roast the Squash
Cut the spaghetti squash in half, remove seeds, and roast at 400°F (200°C) until tender.
Step 2: Prepare Chicken
Season chicken and sear until cooked through.
Step 3: Make Alfredo Sauce
Combine heavy cream, cream cheese, and Parmesan in a saucepan until smooth.
Step 4: Combine
Shred the roasted squash into spaghetti-like strands, toss with chicken and sauce, and serve hot.
4. Keto Chicken Quesadilla
Missing Mexican flavors on keto? These chicken quesadillas are quick, easy, and incredibly satisfying. By using low-carb tortillas or cheese shells, you get all the flavor with minimal carbs.
Perfect for lunch on the go or a cozy family dinner, these quesadillas are both versatile and indulgent.
Directions for Keto Chicken Quesadilla
Step 1: Cook the Chicken
Season and cook chicken until fully done, then shred or slice.
Step 2: Assemble Quesadilla
Layer chicken, cheese, and optional veggies on a low-carb tortilla.
Step 3: Cook Until Golden
Heat on a skillet until the cheese melts and the tortilla is golden brown. Serve hot with sour cream or guacamole.
3. Chicken Breasts with Jalapeño Cream Sauce
Bring bold Mexican flavors to your keto dinner table with chicken breasts bathed in a creamy, cheesy jalapeño sauce. The heat from the jalapeños complements the rich creaminess, creating a dish your family will love.
Directions for Chicken Breasts with Jalapeño Cream Sauce
Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
Season chicken breasts and sear until golden brown.
Step 2: Make Jalapeño Sauce
Blend jalapeños with cream and cheese, then heat until creamy and smooth.
Step 3: Serve
Pour the sauce over chicken and garnish with fresh herbs.
2. Cheesy Bacon Chicken
Sometimes, simplicity is key. With just chicken, bacon, and cheese, this dish delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
It’s a quick, weeknight-friendly recipe that’s sure to become a family favorite.
Directions for Cheesy Bacon Chicken
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Set oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Prepare Chicken and Bacon
Season chicken and sear lightly. Wrap each piece in bacon and top with cheese.
Step 3: Bake
Bake until cheese melts and bacon is crispy. Serve immediately.
1. Keto Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Looking for a twist on classic buffalo wings? These keto buffalo chicken meatballs capture the same tangy, spicy flavor in a convenient meatball form.
They are perfect for a quick dinner, meal prep, or a snack while watching your favorite series.
Directions for Keto Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Step 1: Preheat Oven
Preheat to 400°F (200°C).
Step 2: Prepare Meatballs
Mix ground chicken with spices, shape into balls, and place on a baking sheet.
Step 3: Bake and Toss
Bake until cooked through. Toss in buffalo sauce and serve hot.
With these 11 keto chicken recipes, your weekly meal planning will never be dull again. Each recipe offers unique flavors, textures, and indulgences while keeping carbs low and satisfaction high. From creamy casseroles to crispy tenders and spicy meatballs, these dishes prove that keto meals can be exciting, flavorful, and utterly delicious.
These recipes are perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or simply treating yourself to a wholesome, indulgent meal without compromising your keto lifestyle.
Fernando is the creator and writer behind the food blog Eating with your Hands. Living and working in cities like Paris, Barcelona, and Berlin, and being married to a Canadian foodie, has given Fernando a passion and interest in food and inspired him to run EWYH.