Keto Cheesy Broccoli Chicken

# The Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 2 large chicken breasts (about 1.1 lbs), cooked and shredded or cubed

→ Vegetables

02 - 4 cups fresh broccoli florets, cut into bite-sized pieces

03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Dairy

04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

05 - 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened

06 - 1/2 cup heavy cream

→ Pantry

07 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

09 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

10 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a medium baking dish measuring 8x12 inches.

02 - Steam or microwave the broccoli florets for 2-3 minutes until just tender but still bright green. Drain thoroughly and set aside.

03 - Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

04 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked chicken, steamed broccoli, sautéed garlic, half the shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, heavy cream, salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian herbs. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated.

05 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Distribute the remaining cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

06 - Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

07 - Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before portioning.

# Additional Tips::

01 -

It's genuinely ready in under an hour, which means weeknight dinners stop feeling like a negotiation with yourself.
The cream cheese melts into everything and makes it taste indulgent without any strange aftertaste or grittiness.
You can taste the broccoli and chicken as themselves—not hidden under heavy sauces—which somehow makes it feel lighter even though it's incredibly satisfying.

02 -

If you skip draining the broccoli thoroughly, you'll end up with a watery casserole that separates in the pan—learned that the hard way and it fundamentally changed how I approach steamed vegetables now.
Softening the cream cheese before mixing is the difference between a silky sauce and one with visible lumps that never fully disappear, which sounds small but completely changes the eating experience.

03 -

Use truly softened cream cheese and real shredded cheddar—these two things are what separate a silky casserole from one that feels grainy or separated.
If your baking dish is particularly shallow, check for doneness at 18 minutes because the casserole will cook faster and you want to catch it while the edges are still bubbly and not overdone.