Winter Garden Keto Casserole (Printable)

Comforting keto casserole with chicken, winter vegetables, and creamy, cheesy sauce for satisfying meals.

# List of ingredients:

→ Protein

01 - 1.1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

→ Vegetables

02 - 7 oz cauliflower florets (about 1/2 medium head)
03 - 5 oz Brussels sprouts, halved
04 - 3.5 oz kale, stems removed and leaves chopped
05 - 1 small leek, sliced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced

→ Sauce & Dairy

07 - 1/2 cup heavy cream
08 - 1 cup shredded Gruyère cheese
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
10 - 2 tbsp cream cheese
11 - 2 tbsp olive oil
12 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard

→ Seasonings

13 - 1/2 tsp dried thyme
14 - 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
15 - 1/2 tsp salt
16 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F and grease a medium casserole dish.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook for 5 to 6 minutes until lightly browned. Transfer to a plate.
03 - In the same skillet, add leek and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes until softened. Stir in cauliflower and Brussels sprouts; cook an additional 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
04 - Incorporate chopped kale, thyme, rosemary, salt, and black pepper. Cook until kale just wilts, about 2 minutes.
05 - Return chicken to skillet. Stir in Dijon mustard, cream cheese, and heavy cream. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
06 - Remove skillet from heat and fold in half of the Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses.
07 - Transfer mixture to prepared casserole dish. Evenly sprinkle remaining Gruyère and Parmesan cheeses on top.
08 - Bake uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbling.
09 - Allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the rare low-carb meal that feels indulgent rather than like you're missing out on something.
  • The whole thing comes together in one skillet before it hits the oven, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your evening.
  • Roasted winter vegetables turn silky and sweet when they braise in that creamy cheese sauce, so even people skeptical of keto cooking tend to ask for seconds.
02 -
  • Don't skip the browning step with the chicken—it takes time but creates a depth of flavor that makes the difference between a nice casserole and one people genuinely crave.
  • If your cream looks thin or separates at any point, it usually means the heat got too high; keep everything at a gentle simmer and you'll end up with a silky, cohesive sauce.
  • The resting time before serving isn't optional if you want clean portions—the casserole firms up just enough to hold together when you scoop it out.
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead, assemble it completely up to the point of baking, cover it, and refrigerate—just add 5-10 minutes to the baking time since it'll be cold when it goes in the oven.
  • Leftover casserole reheats beautifully in a low oven or on the stovetop with a splash of cream, and often tastes even better the next day once all the flavors have had time to meld together.

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