Creamy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole Done in 30 Minutes
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This creamy chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole recipe is the ultimate comfort food that’s easy to make, delicious, and healthy, too! With simple everyday ingredients, you can have a wonderful all-in-one meal for the whole family. Layer chicken, broccoli, Alfredo sauce, and shredded mozzarella cheese in a casserole dish, then bake until done, and you’ll have a low-carb dinner ready in 30 minutes with little effort!
My kids are crazy for chicken Alfredo and have been asking me to work on a homemade recipe for a long time. As a mom, one of my proudest achievements is inspiring my little ones to build healthy eating habits.
Since I knew they couldn’t tell the difference if my recipe was low-carb or not, I went ahead and killed two birds with one stone by putting a healthy spin on a classic comfort food we all could enjoy. True enough, we didn’t miss the traditional pasta dish!
This easy-breezy dinner is tasty, filling, and can be enjoyed any night of the week. Serve this chicken Alfredo over zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash, or serve as is. It’s packed with protein, healthy fats, and fiber, making it a complete one-dish meal, whether or not you’re on a keto diet! It’s one of the many easy chicken dinner recipes you’ll want to add to your weekly meal plan.
Table of Contents (click to view)
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Chicken Alfredo was a hard recipe for me to let go of when I started a keto diet back in 2014. After all, it’s everyone’s favorite meal. Right?
The creamy, savory, high-protein, and high-fat dish is always a hit with the crowd. But what was once a heavy-carb meal after soccer practice has now become a staple in our household. You’ll surely love this creamy chicken bake!
- Family-friendly and kid-approved
- Minimal cleanup
- Simple ingredients: Uses few pantry staples and ingredients you can easily find in grocery stores.
- Short prep and cooking time: Enjoy a delicious and filling meal in 30 minutes or less.
- Amazing flavors: Every layer is seasoned to perfection, resulting in a creamy, cheesy, and garlicky chicken bake that will have you begging for seconds.
- Basic kitchen equipment: No need for fancy kitchen tools – all you need is a skillet and saucepan, a cutting board and knife, a steamer, a casserole dish, and a spatula for stirring and mixing ingredients.
- Easy-to-follow directions: Once the chicken is browned, simply layer and bake to make a delicious casserole.
How to Make Easy Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole
Low on carbs but big on flavor, my recipe is a flavorful and satisfying way to break up your regular meal rotation for something fresh and tasty while keeping your macros in check.
Gather a few key ingredients, and you’ll have a low-carb chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole on the table in 30 minutes or less.
Cook the chicken, steam the broccoli, and then layer with Alfredo sauce in a casserole dish. Cover it all with shredded cheese and bake until the cheese melts!
The process is even faster if you meal prep the chicken and broccoli ahead of time.
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions to make this creamy chicken alfredo recipe.
Ingredients for Keto Chicken Alfredo
This cheesy chicken comfort food is quick, easy, and compatible with a meal prep routine. Plus, it’s nut-free and egg-free, so if you have those allergens, this dish is a-ok.
Here’s what to get to make this simple chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole:
- Chicken breast: Cook fresh chicken yourself or use a rotisserie chicken from the store. This recipe is a great opportunity to use shredded meal prep chicken or any leftover bits you have on hand.
- Seasoning: A generous portion of garlic powder, plus salt and pepper, is all you need for mouthfuls of flavor.
- Butter: Only needed if you are cooking chicken. Precooked chicken must be chopped or shredded into smaller pieces before it’s layered with broccoli and sauce.
- Broccoli: The vegetable of choice in this one-dish casserole meal. You can steam it fresh or use meal-prep pre-cooked broccoli. Four cups of trimmed broccoli florets equals about 2 pounds of fresh, untrimmed broccoli or roughly 16 ounces of frozen chopped broccoli. You can buy fresh broccoli or use a bag of frozen broccoli.
- Alfredo sauce: Full of healthy fats, this rich and creamy sauce layers between the ingredients and permeates every bite. I’ll share the recipe here, but you can also use store-bought sauce as desired.
Homemade Alfredo sauce ingredients include:
- Butter
- Garlic
- Heavy cream
- Ground nutmeg
- Parmesan cheese
- Mozzarella cheese: One of the best choices for melting, the long strings of melted cheese make this a family-favorite recipe.
- Fresh parsley: For a touch of color and nice flavor.
Variations
Just like my keto chicken bacon ranch casserole, this recipe brings wholesome cheesy chicken satisfaction to your table. The best part? It’s as versatile as you are! You can make this dish work according to personal taste and dietary preference with a few modifications.
- Don’t like the taste of broccoli? Sub with cauliflower florets instead.
- No parmesan available? Use cheddar cheese instead.
- Shrimp Alfredo: Replace the chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist. Sauté the shrimp until pink and cooked through before adding to the casserole dish.
- Bacon Alfredo: Add crumbled bacon for a smoky flavor. Cook bacon until crispy, then mix it into the Alfredo sauce.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Tender chicken smothered with a creamy Alfredo sauce and delicious broccoli in every bite – it’s what makes this yummy chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole out of this world! Like my easy chicken cordon bleu, you can serve this for busy weeknights when you need dinner on the table fast. Score leftovers for lunch the next day or please all the kids next time there’s a pool party.
Follow these simple directions, and you can’t go wrong!
Step One: Cook Chicken
Start by cutting the chicken breast into half-inch cubes. Then, toss it in a bowl with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coat all sides evenly with the seasoning.
Next, heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and pan-fry the chicken for approximately 3 minutes on each side. Once cooked through, remove from heat and set aside.
Laura Fuentes has a great step-by-step tutorial on how to cook chicken pieces in a pan. If this is a new method for you, I suggest reviewing the directions first. It’s so easy, but the visuals can be helpful.
Step Two: Steam Broccoli
While the chicken cooks, trim the broccoli and cut it into florets (just the top part, with minimal stalk). Steam broccoli until tender for about six minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step Three: Make Alfredo Sauce
As the broccoli steams, begin preparing the Alfredo sauce. If you are using store-bought sauce, jump down to the next step.
Simmer the garlic in butter in a small saucepan for two minutes until fragrant. Mix in cream. Slowly add the parmesan and stir continuously until it’s a thick, uniform sauce. Finally, season with nutmeg, remove from heat, and set aside.
Step Four: Assemble and Bake
Put the chicken bake together by spreading one-half cup of Alfredo sauce mixture in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half the cooked chicken with half of the steamed broccoli arranged over it.
Then, spoon one cup of Alfredo sauce over the broccoli and sprinkle one cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
Repeat the process for a second layer with all the remaining chicken, broccoli, sauce, and shredded cheese. Garnish with parsley and place under the broiler in the oven for five minutes on high until the cheese melts, bubbles, and turns golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving warm.
Expert Tips
- Prep ahead. Measure and chop all the ingredients even before you start cooking to make the process smoother and to prevent overcooking as you gather everything.
- Cut chicken into even-sized chunks. This is so you can cook uniformly and within the time specified in the recipe. Be sure not to overcrowd your pan to allow proper searing. This also prevents some pieces from being over or undercooked.
- Steam broccoli properly. Cut the florets into even sizes and drain well to avoid adding extra moisture to the casserole. Steam just until it’s tender-crisp (al dente) to maintain its vibrant green color and slight crunch.
- Let it rest. Allow the casserole to rest for about 10 minutes after baking to help the flavors meld together.
How to Store This Recipe
If you have leftover Alfredo chicken bake or are making the recipe in advance, allow it to cool completely then store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
When ready to enjoy, reheat individual portions of your chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole in a skillet over medium heat until the sauce returns to its creamy consistency. You can also microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring halfway through until thoroughly warm.
What to Serve with Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Casserole
A chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole is a great one-pan meal that can be enjoyed on its own or paired with some delicious sides and refreshing drinks. Below are my favorites:
- Garlic bread
- Cauliflower rice
- Sautéed zoodles with garlic and olive oil
- Caprese salad or mixed green salad with Thousand Island dressing
- Low-carb cheesecake
- Chocolate mousse
- Fresh lemonade
- Crisp, dry white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay
Keto Chicken Alfredo Bake with Broccoli FAQ
Generally speaking, Alfredo sauce is keto-friendly. The traditional recipe is naturally low-carb and high-fat, which makes it perfect for keto macros. However, you do need to avoid wheat-based noodles and can’t eat Alfredo sauce with pasta. If buying a store-bought sauce, check the ingredient list and confirm they are all real food ingredients with minimal to no preservatives.
There is an average of 6 g total carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, and 6 g net carb in a one-cup portion of Alfredo sauce.
Per 1 cup of chicken Alfredo with pasta noodles, there is a whopping 56 g total carbohydrate with 2.5 g fiber. That’s 53.5 g net carb in just a cup. Considering that a restaurant portion is likely more than one cup, the carbs will add up quickly. However, in this low-carb version, there are only 7 g total carb, 1 g fiber, and 6 g net carb per serving.
More One-Dish Casserole Dinners to Try
- Ground beef and broccoli casserole
- Philly cheesesteak casserole
- Cheesy keto casserole
- Green bean hamburger casserole
If you make this chicken broccoli Alfredo casserole recipe, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and comment!
Chicken Alfredo with Broccoli Recipe
Ingredients
For the casserole:
- 2 pounds chicken breast boneless
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 4 cups broccoli
- 2 cups Alfredo sauce store-bought or homemade recipe below
- 2 cups mozzarella cheese shredded
- 2 tablespoons parsley minced for garnish
For the Alfredo sauce:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 ⅓ cup heavy cream room temperature
- 3 cups Parmesan finely grated
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken breast into ½-inch cubes. Then, toss it in a bowl with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Coat all sides evenly with the seasoning.
- Heat the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat and pan-fry the chicken for approximately 3 minutes on each side. Once cooked through, remove from heat and set aside.
- While the chicken cooks, begin trimming the broccoli and cut it into florets (just the top part, with minimal stalk). Steam broccoli until tender for about 6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- While the broccoli steams, begin preparing the Alfredo sauce. If you are using store-bought sauce, jump down to the next step.Simmer the garlic in butter in a small saucepan for 2 minutes until fragrant. Mix in cream. Slowly add the parmesan and stir continuously until it's a thick, uniform sauce. Finally, season with nutmeg, remove from heat and set aside.
- Put the chicken bake together by spreading ½ cup of Alfredo sauce in the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Layer half the cooked chicken with half of the steamed broccoli arranged over it. Then, spoon 1 cup of Alfredo sauce over the broccoli and sprinkle 1 cup of mozzarella cheese on top of the sauce.
- Repeat the process for a second layer with all the remaining chicken, broccoli, sauce, and shredded cheese. Garnish with parsley and place under the broiler in the oven for 5 minutes on high until the cheese melts, bubbles, and begins turning golden brown. Remove from the oven and let sit for a few minutes before serving warm.
Video
Notes
- Measure and chop all the ingredients even before you start cooking to make the process smoother and to prevent overcooking as you gather everything.
- Cut chicken into even-sized chunks. This is so you can cook uniformly and within the time specified in the recipe. Be sure not to overcrowd your pan to allow proper searing. This also prevents some pieces from being over or undercooked.
- Cut the florets into even sizes and drain well to avoid adding extra moisture to the casserole. Steam just until it’s tender-crisp (al dente) to maintain its vibrant green color and slight crunch.
- Allow the casserole to rest for about 10 minutes after baking to help the flavors meld together.
Nutrition & Macros
To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in a given recipe, please calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients and amounts used, using your preferred nutrition calculator. Under no circumstances shall the this website and the author be responsible for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on the given nutritional information.
Could chia seeds be added to the alfredo at some point for a fiber boost? When and how much so that it doesn’t ruin the sauce?
Hi Jane, you’ll have to do that experiment and let me know. I haven’t added chia to a sauce before but have made chia jam (it’s delicious). I would be concerned about the texture changing significantly if you have leftovers that chill. But if you eat the dish right away, the chia might not absorb too much liquid yet. It’s not something I would do, but go for it if you really like chia and want to try. Personally, I would favor some of the chai pudding recipes I have posted on the blog here instead. Hope this helps!
WOW this recipe was soooo good. Made it for my husband and I last week and we loved it. Made for good leftovers too.
Husband-approved is always a win, lol. Thanks for your comments, Allie.
This is one of our favorite casserole type dishes for weeknight meals. I make extra because the leftovers are just as great. The homemade alfredo sauce is the best part!
Hi Gina – thanks for the five star review. Homemade is always the best, right?! 😉
This chicken recipe is such a keeper and I’m adding this to our on repeat recipe! It was perfectly cooked and creamy. Plus it is guilt-free!
Excited to hear you loved the recipe, Sharina.
This was delicious! I added mushrooms and onions to the recipe, but kept everything else the same. The result was creamy, flavorful, and filling.
Mushrooms are a great add-in. We really appreciate the feedback and five star review 🙂
This was so perfectly cheesy! Loved it and will make again soon. It’s the only dish with broccoli that my son has ever liked. Woohoo! Thanks!
Gotta get that broccoli in there somehow, lol. Happy we could help. Thanks for the five star review.
I love being able to put everything in one casserole dish and not having to prep sides separately. While beef is still my favorite, this is a chicken dish totally worth making.
One pan meals are the best! I hope this recipe helps you meal prep for your family better. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your experience!