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Get It NowWhen 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!
This easy pesto chicken casserole recipe was originally published on March 15, 2017 and republished in October 2020 to include helpful tips, FAQs, and step-by-step pictures. Here’s an old picture:
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.
- Make chicken layer. Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese into the pan with the cauliflower.
- Make pesto cream sauce. Stir together the basil pesto and cream…
Pour evenly over the casserole, and mix until everything is coated evenly. Sprinkle the rest of the mozzarella cheese on top.
- Bake keto chicken cauliflower casserole. It’s ready when the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil.
Frequently Asked Questions
- 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.
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.
More Keto Casserole Recipes
If you like this healthy pesto chicken casserole, you might also like some of these other low carb 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.
Chicken Cauliflower Casserole
By
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.
Instructions
[ See step photos ]Tap on the times in the instructions to start a kitchen timer.
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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.)
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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.
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Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (177 degrees C).
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Mix the shredded chicken and half of the shredded mozzarella into the pan with the cauliflower.
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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.
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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 make it? Leave a review or tag me @wholesomeyum on Instagram!
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
78 Comments
Mendy Stockwell
0This recipe is super easy to make & so good! I was hoping for leftovers but everyone went in for seconds! I’ll just have to make another Wholesum Yum recipe tomorrow!
Wholesome Yum D
0I’m so glad it was a hit, Mendy! Sounds like a good excuse to make another one tomorrow!
Sarah Holsinger
0Made this with the homemade pesto and another time with bought pesto and the homemade pesto was a bigger hit with my family. My kids ask for this recipe almost weekly!
Wholesome Yum D
0That’s great to hear, Sarah! I love that your kids request it so often, homemade pesto really does make all the difference.
Ann
0I made this for a family gathering tonight. It was a hit! My sister-in-law’s friend asked for the recipe and I sent her the link!
Maya | Wholesome Yum
0I’m so glad to hear that, Ann! And thank you for sharing my site with your sister-in-law’s friend, I really appreciate it.
Maggie
0How much cauliflower by weight please? Heads of cauliflower can vary so much in size!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Maggie, You will need about 6 cups of florets.
Terri Kendall
0This recipe was so easy to make and super flavorful. Not too salty or sweet. The chicken was very tender. Served with cauliflower mash. Definitely a keeper recipe. Will make again.
Aisha
0Flavorful, Healthy and Super Easy to make. 🙂
Michele Bechtold
0Made this numerous times! It is so delicious and easy! I usually double the recipe.
Tiffanee
0It turned out amazing. My kiddo liked it too. I have 3 more meals out of what I made. ❤️
Nina
0Great recipe! I couldn’t find cauliflower so used broccoli instead and used classic pesto with chilli – turned out beautifully! I used a rotisserie chicken (short on time). My lunches are sorted for the week with 20 mins of prep – brilliant!
Mary
0Another delish recipe. So quick and easy with basic ingredients… I love that.
Lindsay
0Hi, this is a family favorite! Could you make it without baking it and store in the fridge to bake later?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Lindsay, Yes, that would work.
Jody West
0Can I use cauliflower rice in this recipe instead of florets?
holly wignall
0Is this recipe freezable?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Holly, You can store it in a freezer-safe container for 2-3 months
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Jody, I have never tried it, but it should work for you.
Patricia Leone
0Can you use sweetened coconut crème?
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Patricia, I don’t recommend sweetened coconut crème in this recipe.
Elizabeth
0I love pesto and I loved how easy this was. I made a small portion with no chicken for me and with chicken for the family and everyone ate it. I thought it was yummy with just cauliflower and could see adding zucchini/broccoli to bulk it up more.
DebbyC
0LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!!!! So easy and SUPER YUMMY! I will make it again and invite guests over! Thank you, Maya!!
Madelein
0This was super easy and quick, great meal to end the night.
Jen
0This is a GREAT base recipe. As written, it was a little bland for us. Definitely add a good amount of salt and pepper. We added some Bomba sauce that we get from Trader Joes to spice it up and that just put it over the top. Easy & Delish!
Whitney
0This was super good. It satisfies any craving for pesto pasta. I added a little more of the pesto sauce and mozzarella, and some red pepper flakes. The pesto sauce takes a little extra time but is 100% worth it over the store-bought alternative. I might add browned mushrooms next time, but it was so delicious as is.
Brenda
0Making this tonight! Debating… What would you substitute for the mozzarella? Cheddar or feta? Thanks!
Wholesome Yum D
0Hi Brenda, I think either of these cheeses would work for you.
Kacy
0We decided on a bit of a whim to start eating keto yesterday. We had not gone shopping or done any meal prepping over the weekend but I threw this together last night with some Costco rotisserie chicken and it was a hit! Thanks!
Rebecca
0This was an awesome recipe, thank you! The cauliflower turned out so yummy in this dish. I added chopped artichokes and some olives but followed everything else exactly. Delicious!