Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • How To Make Chicken Cauliflower Casserole
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Keto Casserole Recipes
  • My Favorite Baking Dish For This Recipe
  • Chicken Cauliflower Casserole Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

When dinner needs to be easy… this keto chicken cauliflower casserole recipe will deliver! This is one of those meals that came together when I just had random ingredients in my fridge and threw them together. And it was so good, I had to share it. Bonus: this pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole happens to be full of healthy ingredients, like fresh veggies, pesto, and cheese. Use any store-bought pesto you like, or make homemade pesto sauce – it’s up to you.

My favorite part about this cheesy chicken cauliflower bake is that it’s a hearty, one-pan keto meal without rice or potatoes. Delicious and minimal clean-up? It’s everything you want a keto casserole to be!

Keto chicken cauliflower casserole - old image - 1 Keto chicken cauliflower casserole - old image - 2

How To Make Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

This easy chicken cauliflower casserole takes just a few simple steps to prep:

  • Roast cauliflower. Toss the cauliflower with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Roast, stirring halfway through, until crisp-tender.
Overhead view of cauliflower florets for pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole - 3 Overhead view of cauliflower florets for pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole - 4
  • Make chicken layer. Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the pan with the cauliflower.
Overhead view of cauliflower, chicken, and mozzarella used in pesto chicken casserole - 5 Overhead view of cauliflower, chicken, and mozzarella used in pesto chicken casserole - 6
  • Make pesto cream sauce. Stir together the basil pesto and cream…
Overhead view of pesto and heavy cream used in chicken cauliflower casserole - 7 Overhead view of pesto and heavy cream used in chicken cauliflower casserole - 8

Pour evenly over the casserole, and mix until everything is coated evenly. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.

Cauliflower chicken casserole with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top - 9 Cauliflower chicken casserole with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top - 10
  • Bake keto chicken cauliflower casserole. It’s ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil.
Baked keto chicken cauliflower casserole in a baking dish - 11 Baked keto chicken cauliflower casserole in a baking dish - 12
  • Is chicken cauliflower casserole keto? Yes, this creamy chicken and cauliflower casserole is keto friendly. (And if you’re a fan of cauliflower, be sure to browse my other keto cauliflower recipes .) Each filling serving has just 7.1 grams net carbs . But, even if you’re not keto or have family members who aren’t, everyone will enjoy this pesto cauliflower casserole – it’s just simply delicious.
  • What is the fastest way to make this on a weeknight? The fastest way is to use shredded rotisserie chicken and pre-made pesto sauce. Then, all you have to do is roast the cauliflower, assemble, and finish quickly in the oven. See the storage instructions below, as well, for ideas for prepping ahead.
  • Can you use canned chicken or pre-cooked chicken? Sure! I usually prefer to make my own shredded chicken or use rotisserie from the store, but canned will work great, too. Another option is to just chop up any leftover chicken you have from making baked chicken breast , air fryer chicken breast , or chicken drumsticks .
  • Can you use frozen cauliflower? Yes! You can roast it right from frozen.
Side view of keto chicken cauliflower casserole with a fork and basil leaves - 13 Side view of keto chicken cauliflower casserole with a fork and basil leaves - 14

Meal Prep Options

Yes, this low carb chicken and cauliflower casserole stores very well, so you can definitely make it ahead. You could also prep a few components, so that all you need to do is assemble and bake when you’re ready to make it.

  • Cook chicken – I like to make shredded chicken in my Instant Pot .
  • Roast cauliflower.
  • Mix pesto cream sauce.
  • You can also easily make an extra batch to have on hand for quick dinners. Line your pan with foil and leaving plenty around the sides, then freeze the casserole in the pan with the foil. Once it’s solid, lift it out using the foil edges, wrap on all sides with more foil, and vacuum seal. (I like this vacuum sealer ). Since this method retains the shape of the pan, it will fit right back into it in its frozen state. Then just uncover and reheat in the oven.
Close up view of keto chicken cauliflower casserole being served with a spoon - 15 Close up view of keto chicken cauliflower casserole being served with a spoon - 16

More Keto Casserole Recipes

  • Chicken Divan – A chicken, broccoli, and cheese casserole smothered in a creamy sauce.
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole – Like the classic dish, but in casserole form!
  • Keto Mexican Casserole – A family favorite, everyone loves this one! Made with simple ingredients and topped with your favorite taco toppings.
  • Healthy Eggplant Parmesan – Cheese + veggies, what’s not to love?! This healthy eggplant parm is made with simple ingredients.
  • Keto Philly Cheesesteak – This easy casserole takes less than 30 minutes and has all the flavors of cheesesteaks.
  • Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole – Just 6 ingredients to make this healthy, comforting meal.

My Favorite Baking Dish For This Recipe

This casserole dish does it all—bake, store, and take on the go! Plus, it looks great right on the table.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 1 head Cauliflower (cut into florets) ▢
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
  • 1 lb Shredded chicken (cooked)* ▢
  • 3/4 cup Basil pesto ▢
  • 1/4 cup Heavy cream (or coconut cream) ▢
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided) ▢
  • Sea salt ▢
  • Black pepper ▢
  • Fresh basil (cut into ribbons for garnish - optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 in (23x33 cm) casserole dish . (You can line with foil or parchment paper if desired. I used a stoneware dish so it wasn’t necessary.)
  2. Toss the cauliflower with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes , stirring halfway through, until crisp-tender.
  3. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
  4. Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella into the pan with the cauliflower.
  5. Stir together the basil pesto and cream. Pour evenly over the casserole, and mix until everything is coated evenly. Sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  6. Return the casserole to the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes , until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil ribbons if desired.

Did You Like It?

Leave a rating to help other readers (this also helps me continue to provide free recipes on my site), or get the recipe sent to your inbox.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 cups

  • Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Microwave or bake at 350 degrees F until warm.
  • Note: You can also use cubed cooked chicken instead of shredded, if you prefer.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System , 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes , and Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

Add Your NotesYour Notes

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead.

Pesto Chicken Casserole

Chicken and cauliflower casserole recipe pin - 17 Chicken and cauliflower casserole recipe pin - 18

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • The Basic Keto Meal Formula
  • Understanding Macros
  • Keto Food Swaps
  • Keto Food List
  • Electrolyte Basics
  • Keto Diet Types
  • Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?
  • Recipe Reviews

Even though I have a great guide to starting a keto diet , people often ask me for a quick keto cheat sheet they can use. That’s why I created this simple keto diet cheat sheet , so that you can have all the info you need handy. We’ll cover the basic keto formula for building meals, foods to eat and to avoid, delicious keto swaps for high-carb foods, electrolyte basics, and 4 ways to follow the keto lifestyle.

You can keep reading to view this info, or download my keto cheat sheet printable pdf to print out or save ad-free on any device (plus the pdf has more details!).

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 19

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ foods) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System + EBooks (Only $37)

The Basic Keto Meal Formula

Eating keto doesn’t have to be complicated! While there are plenty of delicious easy keto recipes to choose from, you don’t even have to cook from a recipe to get started.

Simply follow the keto cheat sheet formula of protein + veggie + fat for your meals.

Be sure to choose a moderate amount of protein, only low carb vegetables (mostly ones that grow above ground), and generous fat to attain an optimal macro ratio. That’s approximately 60-75% of calories from fat, 20-25% protein, and 5-10% from carbohydrates. The table below will give you ideas for what to choose.

Pick A ProteinPick A VeggieAdd Fat
Beef Chicken Pork Eggs Lamb Turkey Fish Shellfish Protein powder VenisonCauliflower Broccoli Zucchini Leafy Greens Cucumbers Brussels Sprouts Cabbage Asparagus Radishes Bell Peppers Jicama CeleryButter Avocado Oil Cheese Bacon Avocado Lard Ghee Mayo Nuts MCT Oil

Understanding Macros

Macros are macronutrients for short. They include fat, protein, and carbohydrates.

You can calculate your own macros using the macro calculator , but the macro keto cheat sheet below will explain how to look at macros when following a keto lifestyle.

Carbs Are A Limit.

Keeping carbs low is what gets you into ketosis and keeps you there. Ketosis means that you’re using fat as your primary energy source instead of sugar, and requires keeping carbs very low.

A good starting point is 20-25 grams net carbs per day, but you can experiment after a few weeks to see if your body stays in ketosis at higher levels. People who are very active may be able to do more and stay in ketosis, up to around 50 grams per day.

“Carbs are a limit” means that you set a limit for how many carbs to eat per day and don’t exceed it. You don’t have to hit that limit, so if you’re under that’s okay, just don’t go over. Ideally most of your carbs would come from low carb vegetables, and if you’re eating enough veggies, you’ll usually get close to the limit naturally.

A common misconception is that reaching ketosis requires a certain macro ratio, but it’s really only restricting your carb intake that gets you there [ * ]. In the absence of sufficient carbs to use as energy, the body will switch to using fat as fuel. This is called the metabolic state of ketosis.

Protein Is A Goal.

Protein is made up of amino acids, the building blocks of all our cells. It’s a crucial for keeping our muscles strong and for many cellular functions [ * ].

“Protein is a goal” means that you always want to eat enough protein to reach the goal each day, but not exceed it too much. You want enough for your needs, but excess protein can trigger gluconeogenesis, which is protein being converted to sugar [ * ] and can kick you out of ketosis.

Fat Is A Lever.

Fat is the primary macronutrient in a keto lifestyle, because being in ketosis means that fat is your primary fuel source. Fat as a fuel source will come from your food, and if you are losing weight, from your body.

A big advantage of a keto lifestyle is the high fat intake. It keeps you full and satisfied, making it easier to stick to, and using it as the primary fuel source makes it easier on your body to burn body fat, with a lower chance of breaking down your muscle (provided you get enough protein).

Aside from reaching your protein goal and limiting your carbs, the remainder of your calories on a keto diet comes from fat.

Don’t fear fat – it’s your main energy source on keto, and getting enough of it trains your body to use fat for fuel instead of sugar. That means that as long as you are not overdoing your overall calorie intake, you’ll efficiently burn your body fat for fuel as well.

“Fat is a lever” means that you can increase or decrease your fat intake depending on your goals and hunger levels. Increase it (along with exercise) to gain muscle, or decrease it to lose weight.

Keto Food Swaps

One of my favorite challenges is creating recipes, or just discovering, keto food swaps. These are delicious keto replacements for traditionally high-carb or high-sugar foods.

So, I created this keto diet cheat sheet with all the swaps in one place! I also have more keto food swaps in my Easy Keto Cookbook .

Keto Swaps For Breakfast

Instead Of This…Eat This
PancakesAlmond flour pancakes or coconut flour pancakes
OatmealKeto oatmeal with hemp seeds
Cinnamon rollsFathead cinnamon rolls
CerealKeto nut granola
MuffinsAlmond flour muffins or coconut flour muffins
DonutsAlmond flour donuts
SconesAlmond flour scones
High-sugar smoothiesSmoothie with berries or avocado
Hash brownsCauliflower hash browns
Breakfast casseroleBreakfast casserole with no potatoes
Egg whitesWhole eggs
Turkey baconBacon
WafflesChaffles
Keto food swaps - breakfast - 20

Keto Swaps For Bread

Instead Of This…Eat This
BagelsFathead bagels
English muffinAlmond flour English muffin
White breadKeto white bread
Multigrain breadCoconut flour bread with seeds
Tortillas for wrapsCoconut flour tortillas
Corn taco shellsCheddar cheese taco shells
Burger bunsOopsie rolls , portobello mushroom caps
BreadsticksCauliflower breadsticks
BiscuitsAlmond flour biscuits
CornbreadAlmond flour cornbread
CroutonsParmesan crisps
RiceCauliflower rice , konjac rice
Keto food swaps - bread and grains - 21

Keto Swaps For Meals & Side Dishes

Instead Of This…Eat This
Breaded wingsCrispy air fryer wings (unbreaded)
Low-fat meat & poultryHigh-fat cuts, or cook low-fat cuts with fat
Mashed potatoesMashed cauliflower
Roasted potatoesRoasted or fried radishes
TacosTaco salad
PizzaFathead crust , chicken crust , or cauliflower crust pizza
LasagnaEggplant lasagna
Potato saladCauliflower “potato” salad
French friesJicama , rutabaga , or zucchini fries
Tater totsCauliflower tots
WrapsLettuce wraps , almond flour tortillas
SushiNaruto-style or homemade rice-free sushi
Breaded chicken or fishBreaded cuts with almond flour or pork rinds
SpaghettiZoodles , spaghetti squash , shirataki noodles, kelp noodles
Keto food swaps - meals and sides - 22

Keto Swaps For Snacks & Sauces

Instead Of This…Eat This
NachosCheese crisps
High-sugar fruitBerries & other keto fruits
CrackersAlmond flour crackers
HummusCauliflower hummus
Soft pretzelsFathead pretzels
PopcornPuffed cheese
Granola barsGrain-free granola bars
JamSugar-free berry chia jam
Sweet fruity yogurtFull-fat plain Greek yogurt with berries
Sweet salad dressingRanch , blue cheese , or plain vinaigrette
KetchupMustard and/or sugar-free ketchup
BBQ sauceSugar-free BBQ sauce
Sweetened peanut butterNatural, sugar-free nut butters
Light mayoAvocado oil mayo
Maple syrupSugar-free, maple flavored syrup
Potato chipsZucchini chips , pepperoni chips , pork rinds
Keto food swaps - snacks and sauces - 23

Keto Swaps For Cooking & Baking

Instead Of This…Eat This
SugarMonk fruit or allulose
Powdered sugarPowdered monk fruit or allulose
White flourAlmond or Coconut flour (use in tested recipes)
Making baked goods soft/chewyXanthan gum, flax seed meal, psyllium husk powder
BreadcrumbsPork rinds or almond flour
MargarineButter, coconut oil, or ghee
Vegetable oilOlive or avocado oil
BananasBanana extract
Chocolate chipsSugar-free chocolate chips
Cornstarch or flour rouxXanthan gum or gelatin powder (used at the end)
Simple syrupDissolve monk fruit allulose blend in water over heat
Keto food swaps - baking and cooking - 24

Keto Swaps For Drinks

Instead Of This…Eat This
LemonadeWater with lemon
SodaFlavored sparkling water
MilkAlmond milk, coconut milk, heavy cream
LatteButter coffee
Coffee creamerHeavy cream
Sweet wineDry wine
BeerUltra light beer
Mixed drinksHard liquor with soda + lemon

If you’re looking specifically for keto alcohol options, browse the full keto alcohol guide .

Keto food swaps - drinks - 25

Keto Food List

When looking for a keto cheat sheet printable, the most-requested information is a keto food list.

The great thing is that keto doesn’t have to feel restrictive. It’s incredibly satisfying and there’s such a wide variety of foods you can eat!

Keto foods to eat and avoid summary - 26

Foods To Eat On Keto

  • Leafy greens – Such as spinach, chard, and lettuce.
  • Above-ground veggies – Such as peppers, zucchini, and cauliflower.
  • Full-fat cream & cheese – Such as heavy cream, sour cream, and full-fat hard cheeses.
  • Natural meats – Such as beef, lamb, and pork.
  • Berries – Such as raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries.
  • Avocados
  • Unsweetened nut milks – Such as almond milk and coconut milk.
  • Almond flour and coconut flour
  • Eggs
  • Healthy fats – Such as coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil and butter.

Foods To Avoid On Keto

  • White flour & sugar
  • Rice & grains – Such as barley, wheat, and corn.
  • Milk & yogurt – Such as fruit on the bottom yogurt, sweetened Greek yogurt, and all milk.
  • Cereal
  • Processed food – Such as granola bars, candy
  • Most fruit – Such as apples, bananas, and grapes
  • Hydrogenated fats – Such as vegetable oil, soybean oil, and margarine
  • Sweetened beverages & condiments – Such as soda, ketchup, and sweet dressings
  • Starchy veggies – Such as peas, carrots, and beets.
  • Potatoes – Such as sweet potatoes and white potatoes.

That’s the short keto diet cheat sheet version of all the keto food categories, but I recommend downloading the full Keto Cheat Sheet System. It includes a super detailed printable keto food list with over 100 items, including 2 color-coded pages with net carb counts, along with 6 more pages of keto cheat sheets:

Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 27

Get The Keto Cheat Sheet System PDF (Only $37)

Electrolyte Basics

Getting enough electrolytes is crucial for anyone, but especially so on a keto diet. The reason is that ketosis has a diuretic effect, which increases excretion of water and electrolytes, especially sodium [ * ]. This is often the cause of the keto flu.

For more details on electrolytes and avoiding keto flu, check out the full keto flu guide here .

The important thing to know about electrolytes is that replenishing them will keep keto flu away and keep your body functioning well. I always recommend an electrolyte drink and whole food sources of anything your body needs before resorting to supplements, so I made a list of what to eat to get each of the 3 major electrolytes – sodium, magnesium and potassium.

Here’s your keto diet cheat sheet for getting electrolytes from food:

SodiumMagnesiumPotassium
Bone broth Boullion cubes Bacon Salted nuts PicklesSeaweed Seeds Nuts Avocado Leafy greensPotassium chloride Avocado Bone broth Spinach Broccoli Mushrooms Beef Pork

Keto Diet Types

People follow a keto lifestyle for different reasons. Some do it just to lose weight, others are after better overall health, increased energy, and reduced inflammation.

Strictly speaking, the defining factor of a keto diet is the metabolic state of ketosis, which is achieved by restricting carbs. However, many people (myself included) also reduce or eliminate processed, inflammatory, or low-nutrient foods.

Below is your keto cheat sheet summary of the different ways that people follow keto. You choose what works best for your goals and lifestyle!

  • Strict Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, count all calories and macros, and eat clean, unprocessed foods.
  • Lazy Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, and track only net carbs OR eat keto foods without tracking.
  • Dirty Keto – Up to 20-30g net carbs daily, with “if it fits your macros” approach including processed foods.
  • Low Carb – Up to 50-100g net carbs daily, less strict.

For a more detailed listing of these different types of keto with pros and cons, grab the Easy Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF below!

Want The Keto Cheat Sheet Printable PDF System?

Get all this information and MORE in convenient printer-friendly format – 13 cheat sheet pages you can take with you anywhere or keep in your kitchen, plus 4 recipe cookbooks! Includes:

  1. Keto food list (230+ foods) – Super detailed & color-coded, with net carb counts, so you’ll know exactly what to eat.
  2. Foods to avoid on keto – Detailed and specific list so that you know exactly what to watch out for.
  3. Macros cheat sheet – Explains everything you need to know about macros to succeed on keto.
  4. Keto food swaps (60+ swaps) – Covers virtually every food you love, so you don’t have to miss out!
  5. Keto meal formula – With specific food ideas, so it’s easy to mix-and-match.
  6. Keto flu guide – Understand what it is and exactly how to avoid it.
  7. Electrolyte cheat sheet – With whole food ideas + bonus keto tips.
  8. Keto Diet Types – Summary of 4 ways to do keto, so you can choose what fits you best.
  9. FOUR (4!) Keto Swaps Recipe EBooks – Dozens of recipes to replace bread, rice, potatoes, pasta, desserts, and other carbs you’d otherwise miss.
Keto Cheat Sheet System - printable pdf's and ebooks - 28

Get The Printable Keto Cheat Sheet System (75 pages, Only $37!)

Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

Pesto chicken cauliflower casserole recipe with a spoon and basil on top - 29

This keto chicken cauliflower casserole with pesto needs just 6 common ingredients and 10 minutes prep time, and it’s loaded with veggies, protein, and cheese.

Scan this QR code with your phone’s camera for the full recipe, including tips, step-by-step photos, and storage, or to save it to your account. You can also find it at: https://www.wholesomeyum.com/chicken-cauliflower-casserole/

Chicken Cauliflower Casserole - 30 Chicken Cauliflower Casserole - 31 Chicken Cauliflower Casserole - 32 Chicken Cauliflower Casserole - 33

Ingredients

  • 1 head Cauliflower (cut into florets)
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil
  • 1 lb Shredded chicken (cooked)*
  • 3/4 cup Basil pesto
  • 1/4 cup Heavy cream (or coconut cream)
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided)
  • Sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • Fresh basil (cut into ribbons for garnish - optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 in (23x33 cm) casserole dish . (You can line with foil or parchment paper if desired. I used a stoneware dish so it wasn’t necessary.)
  2. Toss the cauliflower with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes , stirring halfway through, until crisp-tender.
  3. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
  4. Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella into the pan with the cauliflower.
  5. Stir together the basil pesto and cream. Pour evenly over the casserole, and mix until everything is coated evenly. Sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  6. Return the casserole to the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes , until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil ribbons if desired.

Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 cups

  • Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Microwave or bake at 350 degrees F until warm.
  • Note: You can also use cubed cooked chicken instead of shredded, if you prefer.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System , 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes , and Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

© Copyright Maya Krampf for Wholesome Yum. Please DO NOT SCREENSHOT OR COPY/PASTE recipes to social media or websites. We’d LOVE for you to share a link with photo instead. :)

Free Printable: Low Carb & Keto Food List

  • How To Make Chicken Cauliflower Casserole
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • More Keto Casserole Recipes
  • My Favorite Baking Dish For This Recipe
  • Chicken Cauliflower Casserole Recipe card
  • Recipe Reviews

When dinner needs to be easy… this keto chicken cauliflower casserole recipe will deliver! This is one of those meals that came together when I just had random ingredients in my fridge and threw them together. And it was so good, I had to share it. Bonus: this pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole happens to be full of healthy ingredients, like fresh veggies, pesto, and cheese. Use any store-bought pesto you like, or make homemade pesto sauce – it’s up to you.

My favorite part about this cheesy chicken cauliflower bake is that it’s a hearty, one-pan keto meal without rice or potatoes. Delicious and minimal clean-up? It’s everything you want a keto casserole to be!

Keto chicken cauliflower casserole - old image - 34 Keto chicken cauliflower casserole - old image - 35

How To Make Chicken Cauliflower Casserole

This easy chicken cauliflower casserole takes just a few simple steps to prep:

  • Roast cauliflower. Toss the cauliflower with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Roast, stirring halfway through, until crisp-tender.
Overhead view of cauliflower florets for pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole - 36 Overhead view of cauliflower florets for pesto chicken and cauliflower casserole - 37
  • Make chicken layer. Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the pan with the cauliflower.
Overhead view of cauliflower, chicken, and mozzarella used in pesto chicken casserole - 38 Overhead view of cauliflower, chicken, and mozzarella used in pesto chicken casserole - 39
  • Make pesto cream sauce. Stir together the basil pesto and cream…
Overhead view of pesto and heavy cream used in chicken cauliflower casserole - 40 Overhead view of pesto and heavy cream used in chicken cauliflower casserole - 41

Pour evenly over the casserole, and mix until everything is coated evenly. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.

Cauliflower chicken casserole with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top - 42 Cauliflower chicken casserole with mozzarella cheese sprinkled on top - 43
  • Bake keto chicken cauliflower casserole. It’s ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil.
Baked keto chicken cauliflower casserole in a baking dish - 44 Baked keto chicken cauliflower casserole in a baking dish - 45
  • Is chicken cauliflower casserole keto? Yes, this creamy chicken and cauliflower casserole is keto friendly. (And if you’re a fan of cauliflower, be sure to browse my other keto cauliflower recipes .) Each filling serving has just 7.1 grams net carbs . But, even if you’re not keto or have family members who aren’t, everyone will enjoy this pesto cauliflower casserole – it’s just simply delicious.
  • What is the fastest way to make this on a weeknight? The fastest way is to use shredded rotisserie chicken and pre-made pesto sauce. Then, all you have to do is roast the cauliflower, assemble, and finish quickly in the oven. See the storage instructions below, as well, for ideas for prepping ahead.
  • Can you use canned chicken or pre-cooked chicken? Sure! I usually prefer to make my own shredded chicken or use rotisserie from the store, but canned will work great, too. Another option is to just chop up any leftover chicken you have from making baked chicken breast , air fryer chicken breast , or chicken drumsticks .
  • Can you use frozen cauliflower? Yes! You can roast it right from frozen.
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Meal Prep Options

Yes, this low carb chicken and cauliflower casserole stores very well, so you can definitely make it ahead. You could also prep a few components, so that all you need to do is assemble and bake when you’re ready to make it.

  • Cook chicken – I like to make shredded chicken in my Instant Pot .
  • Roast cauliflower.
  • Mix pesto cream sauce.
  • You can also easily make an extra batch to have on hand for quick dinners. Line your pan with foil and leaving plenty around the sides, then freeze the casserole in the pan with the foil. Once it’s solid, lift it out using the foil edges, wrap on all sides with more foil, and vacuum seal. (I like this vacuum sealer ). Since this method retains the shape of the pan, it will fit right back into it in its frozen state. Then just uncover and reheat in the oven.
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More Keto Casserole Recipes

  • Chicken Divan – A chicken, broccoli, and cheese casserole smothered in a creamy sauce.
  • Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole – Like the classic dish, but in casserole form!
  • Keto Mexican Casserole – A family favorite, everyone loves this one! Made with simple ingredients and topped with your favorite taco toppings.
  • Healthy Eggplant Parmesan – Cheese + veggies, what’s not to love?! This healthy eggplant parm is made with simple ingredients.
  • Keto Philly Cheesesteak – This easy casserole takes less than 30 minutes and has all the flavors of cheesesteaks.
  • Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash Casserole – Just 6 ingredients to make this healthy, comforting meal.

My Favorite Baking Dish For This Recipe

This casserole dish does it all—bake, store, and take on the go! Plus, it looks great right on the table.

Recipe Video

Ingredients

Tap underlined ingredients to see the ones I use.

  • 1 head Cauliflower (cut into florets) ▢
  • 1 tbsp Olive oil ▢
  • 1 lb Shredded chicken (cooked)* ▢
  • 3/4 cup Basil pesto ▢
  • 1/4 cup Heavy cream (or coconut cream) ▢
  • 1 cup Mozzarella cheese (shredded, divided) ▢
  • Sea salt ▢
  • Black pepper ▢
  • Fresh basil (cut into ribbons for garnish - optional) ▢

Instructions

Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.

  1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (204 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x13 in (23x33 cm) casserole dish . (You can line with foil or parchment paper if desired. I used a stoneware dish so it wasn’t necessary.)
  2. Toss the cauliflower with olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Roast for 15-20 minutes , stirring halfway through, until crisp-tender.
  3. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
  4. Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella into the pan with the cauliflower.
  5. Stir together the basil pesto and cream. Pour evenly over the casserole, and mix until everything is coated evenly. Sprinkle remaining shredded mozzarella cheese on top.
  6. Return the casserole to the oven. Bake for 10-15 minutes , until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil ribbons if desired.

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Maya’s Recipe Notes

Serving size: 2 cups

  • Store: Keep leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
  • Freeze: Freeze in an airtight container for 2-3 months, then thaw overnight in the fridge.
  • Reheat: Microwave or bake at 350 degrees F until warm.
  • Note: You can also use cubed cooked chicken instead of shredded, if you prefer.

📖 Want more recipes like this? Find this one and many more in my Keto Freezer Meal System , 30 Dinners In 30 Minutes , and Winter Ebook Bundle !

I provide nutrition facts as a courtesy. Have questions about calculations or why you got a different result? Please see my nutrition policy .

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Pesto Chicken Casserole

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