Description
This Low Carb Swiss Chicken Casserole is a creamy, cheesy baked dish featuring tender chicken breasts, fresh broccoli and cauliflower, and a rich heavy cream sauce flavored with garlic, onion, thyme, and paprika. Perfect for a comforting low-carbohydrate meal, this casserole delivers a satisfying blend of flavors and textures with minimal prep time.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Vegetables
- 6 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 2.5 pounds)
- 1 cup broccoli florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup cauliflower florets (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Cheese and Dairy
- 2 cups Swiss cheese, shredded
- 1 cup heavy cream
Seasonings and Oils
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- To taste salt
- To taste pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by spraying with cooking spray or lightly coating it with olive oil to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Cream Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the heavy cream with salt, pepper, dried thyme, and paprika. Stir well until all ingredients are evenly blended to create a flavorful sauce.
- Layer Chicken: Place the boneless, skinless chicken breasts evenly in the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Pour half of the cream mixture over the chicken to coat them well.
- Add Vegetables: Distribute the broccoli and cauliflower florets evenly over the chicken breasts to add texture and nutrition.
- Add Onion and Garlic: Sprinkle the diced onion and minced garlic evenly on top of the vegetables for added aroma and flavor.
- Top with Remaining Cream and Cheese: Pour the remaining cream mixture over the entire dish. Sprinkle the shredded Swiss cheese evenly over the top to create a creamy, cheesy crust.
- Cover and Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Uncover and Finish Baking: Remove the foil from the casserole and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked through and the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before serving to let flavors meld and make it easier to portion.
Notes
- You can use fresh or frozen vegetables; if frozen, no need to thaw before adding.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper, depending on your preference.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- This casserole pairs well with a simple side salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal.
- For a dairy-free variation, substitute heavy cream and cheese with plant-based alternatives, though this will alter the flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/6 of casserole)
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 130 mg
Keywords: low carb chicken casserole, swiss cheese chicken bake, creamy chicken casserole, healthy chicken recipes, low carbohydrate meals