Keto Jalapeño Chicken (Printable View)

A creamy, spicy dish with tender chicken, smoky bacon, and cauliflower rice for low-carb comfort.

# Ingredient List:

→ Protein & Dairy

01 - 3 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced
02 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
03 - 1 cup sour cream
04 - 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
05 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
06 - 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

→ Vegetables

07 - 4 cups cauliflower rice, fresh or frozen
08 - 4 to 5 jalapeños, seeded and diced, plus extra slices for garnish
09 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
10 - 1/4 cup green onions, sliced

→ Pantry & Seasonings

11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
15 - Oil for sautéing

# How to Make:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add cauliflower rice and sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened. Remove from heat and set aside.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup cheddar cheese, mozzarella, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well blended.
04 - Fold cooked chicken, sautéed cauliflower rice, diced jalapeños, minced garlic, half the crumbled bacon, and half the green onions into the cheese mixture. Stir until well combined.
05 - Spread the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish. Top with remaining cheddar cheese and bacon.
06 - Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.
07 - Garnish with extra jalapeño slices and remaining green onions before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a sneaky way to eat vegetables (cauliflower rice) without feeling like you're being virtuous about it.
  • Everything comes together in one baking dish, which means fewer pans to wash and more time doing literally anything else.
  • The flavor is bold enough to make you forget this is technically "diet food."
  • It reheats beautifully, so meal prep becomes actually enjoyable instead of a Sunday obligation.
02 -
  • If your cauliflower rice is frozen, squeeze it dry in a clean towel before sautéing—excess moisture is the enemy of a creamy casserole.
  • Don't skip the sauté step for the cauliflower rice; it changes the texture completely and prevents it from tasting raw or watery in the final dish.
  • The casserole is creamier when it comes out of the oven and firms up slightly as it cools, so don't panic if it looks a little loose immediately after baking.
03 -
  • For extra heat without overwhelming flavor, leave some jalapeño seeds in or add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the cream cheese mixture.
  • If you want to lighten it slightly, swap half the sour cream for Greek yogurt—you'll lose nothing in creaminess and gain a little tang.
Return