Description
This Low Carb Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole features tender chicken, crispy bacon, and broccoli enveloped in a creamy ranch sauce. This nutrient-rich dish is perfect for gatherings or cozy dinners and is Low FODMAP, low carb, keto-friendly, gluten-free, and grain-free, with a lactose-free option. Note: While low FODMAP, its richness in fats may still pose challenges for some individuals with IBS.
Ingredients
Units
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- 5 cups fresh broccoli florets, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 pounds boneless chicken, cooked and chopped into 1/2-inch cubes (about 4 cups)
- 10 slices low sodium bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 2 cups marble cheese (lactose-free if needed), coarsely shredded, divided
Easy Ranch Sauce (see notes for substitutions):
- 3/4 cup avocado oil mayo (or your preferred mayo)
- 2 tablespoons garlic-infused olive oil
- 2 tablespoons milk of choice (lactose-free if needed)
- 2 tablespoons dried chives
- 1 1/2 tablespoons scallions, green parts only, minced
- 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 1/2 teaspoons dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
- 3/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- Chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
For cooking:
- Avocado oil cooking spray (or your preferred cooking spray)
- Cold water
Instructions
- Preheat and prep: Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C) and place the oven rack in the center position. Spray a 9-inch by 13-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.
- Steam broccoli: Place chopped broccoli in a vegetable steamer basket in a large saucepan (mine is 3-quarts) with about an inch of cold water on high heat on the stove. Cover and, once boiling, steam until broccoli turns bright green, about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to overcook. Promptly uncover and using a large spoon, transfer broccoli from the saucepan to the largest mixing bowl you have.
- Add casserole ingredients: Add cooked chicken, bacon, and 1 cup of the cheese to the mixing bowl with the broccoli and stir with a large spoon until combined.
- Make easy ranch sauce: In a small mixing bowl, whisk together ranch sauce ingredients: mayo, garlic-infused olive oil, milk, dried chives, scallions, lemon juice, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper. Pour ranch sauce over casserole ingredients, scraping the bowl clean with a spatula. Stir casserole ingredients until everything is evenly coated in ranch sauce.
- Transfer to baking dish: Spread casserole evenly in the prepared baking dish, using a spatula if needed. Cover casserole with the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Bake: Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and sauce is bubbling. Remove from oven.
- Cool: Allow casserole to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Spoon the casserole from the baking dish onto plates. If needing low FODMAP, keep in mind the maximum serving size of 1 1/2 cups.
- Store: Store completely cooled leftover casserole in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Notes
- Low FODMAP serving size: Containing low FODMAP quantities of fructose due to the broccoli, this casserole is low FODMAP at a serving size of 1 ½ cups. However, as mentioned, this recipe is high in fat, which may not work for some individuals with IBS.
- Broccoli florets: per Monash University’s Low FODMAP Diet App, broccoli florets (or heads) contain the FODMAP fructose and are low FODMAP in servings of up to ¾ cup or per serving. This recipe calls for 5 cups across 8 servings, which comes to about .625 cups per 1 ½ cup serving, which is below the tolerable amount of .75 cups.
- Ranch sauce: if you're not concerned with FODMAPs and want to make things easier, you can use a heaping cup of store-bought ranch dressing instead. However, this easy ranch sauce is cleaner than store-bought ranch and, in my opinion, more flavorful. Or, if you have about a cup leftover of my Low FODMAP Ranch Dressing recipe, you can use that, which the ranch sauce is inspired by.
- Lactose-free option: use avocado oil mayo (or your preferred lactose-free mayo) and lactose-free milk and marble cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Conventional Oven
- Cuisine: American
