Keto Mexican chicken casserole recipe — Makes: *5 Servings*
Per Serving: 43g Protein | 313 Cal

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Cozy, comforting meals can sometimes feel like they’re off-limits if you’re following a low-carb diet, prioritizing protein intake, or trying to lose weight. But with tons of veggies, plenty of savory ground chicken, lots of flavor from the spices and salsa, and creamy coziness from the melty cheese on top, this keto chicken taco casserole is one recipe you need to try.

Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or quick and satisfying meals that won’t cramp your low-carb lifestyle, this high-protein casserole is so delicious and a recipe you’re going to get requests for over and over again.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Keto Mexican Chicken Casserole Recipe

Quick and Easy: With minimal prep, simple ingredients, and just one skillet, this recipe is ideal for busy days.
Great for Meal Prep: Make the casserole at the beginning of the week, then portion it out and eat well all week long.
Easy to Customize: Add in extra veggies, use a different protein, swap the salsa, or simply use up whatever you have on hand.
Low-Carb: This low-carb Mexican chicken casserole is great for those following a keto diet, while also absolutely bursting with big, zesty flavors.

close-up image of the keto Mexican chicken casserole recipe

Ingredients

Olive oil or avocado oil
1 onion, diced
2-3 garlic cloves, minced (optional)
2 bell peppers, diced (you can use green pepper, red pepper, orange pepper, or yellow pepper!)
1 jalapeño, minced (optional for spice lovers)
1 pound ground chicken (or, alternatively, you can use leftover chicken breasts, rotisserie chicken, or even shredded chicken thighs)
24-ounce bag of riced cauliflower
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (dairy-free if needed)
1/4 cup salsa verde (optional for extra flavor)
Salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep Your Ingredients: Dice your onion and bell peppers and mince your jalapeño, if using. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Sauté the Aromatics and Cook the Chicken: Heat about a tablespoon of olive oil or avocado oil in a large, oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and jalapeño and cook for about 2-5 minutes or until the onion is translucent and everything is fragrant. Add the ground chicken and taco seasoning and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through.

3. Add the Cauliflower Rice: Add the cauliflower rice and salsa verde to the cooked chicken and vegetables and stir to combine. Cover and cook for about 5-10 minutes or until the cauliflower rice is tender and absorbs some of the flavors of the salsa and taco seasoning. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed.

4. Bake the Casserole: Stir 1 cup of shredded cheese into the mixture. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, grease a casserole dish and pour the chicken mixture into the dish. Top either the casserole dish or skillet with the remaining cheese and some optional jalapeño or pickled jalapeño slices if you’d like to add extra spice. Bake uncovered in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.

5. Garnish and Serve: Take the casserole out of the oven and sprinkle it with fresh cilantro. Serve with optional garnishes including sliced green onions, black olives, shredded lettuce, salsa, a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream, guacamole, or any other of your favorite keto-friendly toppings. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information (Per Serving - Serves 5)

Calories: 313
Protein: 43g
Carbs: 17g
Fat: 8g

Pro Tips for the Best Casserole

Add more spice: Add more (or less!) jalapeño, a spicier salsa, a few dashes of hot sauce, or even some crushed red pepper flakes to make it as spicy as you’d like.
Make it dairy-free: Can’t tolerate dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese that melts well instead!
Try experimenting with different veggies: Add zucchini, mushrooms, spinach, and more for extra veggies. It's a great way to get a ton of veggies in!
Make it ahead of time: This delicious casserole is just fine in the fridge for up to about 4 days. Simply reheat it in the oven or microwave when you’re ready to eat.
Skip the casserole dish: If you’re using an oven-safe skillet, you don’t need to bother with transferring it to a baking dish, simply pop the skillet right into the oven. Save yourself the extra dishes!

Swaps and Substitutions

Ground Chicken: Substitute with ground turkey, beef, or plant-based crumbles. You can also use lentils or beans, but the carb count may be higher as a result.
Cauliflower Rice: Use broccoli rice or chopped cabbage as an alternative, low-carb option.
Taco Seasoning: DIY with chili powder, cumin, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.

FAQs

Yes! Make it in advance and then portion it out into individual containers or store the whole thing in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to eat, reheat it in the oven or microwave until warmed through, garnish, and enjoy!
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also freeze individual portions for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw overnight in the fridge and warm in the oven or microwave. You can also bake it from frozen, but make sure to add to the baking time to ensure the whole thing is warmed through.
Sure! Make your own cauliflower rice by grating it with a box grater or using a food processor. You may need to cook it a little bit longer to make sure it gets cooked through, but that’s totally fine!
Of course! Instead of the ground chicken, use tofu crumbles, tempeh, or a plant-based meat alternative. If you’d like, you can also bulk up the casserole with additional vegetables like zucchini, carrots, mushrooms, spinach, and more for extra texture and nutrition.
Yes! Although the cheese adds richness, creaminess, and a cheesy, savory flavor, you can totally leave it out if you’d prefer. If you can’t tolerate dairy, consider using a dairy-free cheese instead or top with a sprinkle of nutritional yeast or some avocado for some of the cheesiness or richness without adding the dairy.
This dish is great all on its own, but you can also serve it with a side salad, some roasted low-carb veggies, a bit of guacamole, and some keto-friendly chips made from low carb tortillas if you’d like to round out your meal with something else.

This Keto Mexican Casserole is everything you want in a comfort dish: hearty, cheesy, and flavorful while keeping things healthy and low-carb. It’s easy to customize, simple to prepare, and works perfectly for busy weeknights or meal prepping. It's delicious keto comfort food and the entire family is going to love it!