Low-Carb Buffalo Chicken & Cauliflower Casserole
Heat up your dinner plans with this hot and tangy chicken casserole!
This keto Buffalo chicken & cauliflower casserole recipe is the ultimate low-carb comfort food for anyone who likes a little spice in their life. The cheesy, cream-based sauce is the perfect balance to the zesty flavor of Frank’s hot sauce. And for any of you who might shy away from the pungent and peppery punch of one of America’s favorite hot sauces, no sweat (pun intended)! This recipe isn’t over the top spicy. However, if you’re a heat lover, then I highly recommend an extra dose of Frank’s on your individual serving! 🌶️
Hip Tips:
- Cut your cauliflower into bite-size pieces no larger than 1 inch and shred your chicken well. This helps the buffalo cream sauce work its way into each tasty bite.
- Don’t overcook your cauliflower. I literally steam it for 5 minutes, then immediately drain and cool.
- Be sure to really work the cream sauce in and around the cauliflower/chicken layer.
Low-Carb Buffalo Chicken & Cauliflower Casserole
yield: 9 SERVINGS
prep time: 25 MINUTES
cook time: 20 MINUTES
total time: 45 MINUTES
Add a little spice to your life with this hot and tangy chicken and cauliflower casserole!
Ingredients
- 1 rotisserie chicken, finely shredded (about 6 cups)
- 1 large head cauliflower, broken into small bite-size florets
- 1/2 cup chopped green onions, divided (white and light green parts only)
- 2/3 cup cooked & chopped bacon, divided (about 6 thick slices or use pre-packaged real bacon pieces for convenience)
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup Frank's hot sauce
- 4 ounces block-style cream cheese, softened & cubed
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 cups shredded cheddar jack cheese, divided (2 cups, plus 1 cup for topping)
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Prepare a casserole dish with cooking spray.
2
Steam cauliflower for about 5 minutes, until crisp-tender. Move to a colander, drain well. Set aside to continue drying.
3
Warm cream and Frank's hot sauce over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese, salt, pepper, & garlic powder. Cook until well combined. Next, add 2 cups of shredded cheese, and whisk until the cheese melts, about 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat. Set aside.
4
To the greased casserole dish, add cauliflower, shredded chicken, half the green onions and half the bacon. Gently toss until evenly combined (I use my hands). Pour the cream sauce equally over the chicken/cauliflower mixture. If needed, spread the sauce into an even layer with a spatula. Then, using a fork or spoon, work the cream sauce down into the bottom layer to mingle it with the chicken and cauliflower pieces. Top with remaining 1 cup shredded cheese.
5
Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle casserole with remaining onions and bacon. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
Additional Notes
Serve with sour cream, blue cheese or ranch dressing, and extra hot sauce.
Nutrition Information
Yield: 9 servings, Serving Size: approx. 1 cup
Amount Per Serving:
453 Calories | 32g Fat | 7g Total Carbs | 3g Fiber | 32g Protein | 4g Net Carbs
Rock this keto Buffalo Chicken Casserole with some killer toppings!
Yes, this low-carb casserole shines on its own, but it’s even better with some all-star toppings. Add a refreshing dollop of sour cream to cool things off. Drizzle a little blue cheese dressing over top for an authentic Buffalo chicken experience. Rain on some ranch for an all-American spin. And of course, add some extra Frank’s or your fave hot sauce and kick the heat factor up a few notches!
Love casseroles? Try my broccoli chicken casserole!
This casserole is my kind of “comfort” food. It’s easy to prepare and a winner with my family – both young and old. Frank’s hot sauce, which I had never tried before, provides great zing and flavor! For anyone who wants to sneak a vegetable into a meal with little ones, this recipe is one to use as you’d never know that you’re eating cauliflower. All the ingredients blend together to make one yummy concoction!
Yay! SO glad to hear everyone enjoyed it! Thanks a bunch for the feedback, Susan! 🙌
Looks and sounds amazing!! I am so making this! 😍
Woohoo! Hope you love it too, Brandy!
This was delicious! I used extra chicken and it was still yummy and saucy.
Oh awesome! That’s great to hear, Julie! Thanks for taking a moment to let us know how it turned out!
Made this today and loved it!
We’re so happy you enjoyed this casserole, JustinwTN! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment!
Made it tonight and it was a hit! My nephew who is a very picky eater loved it!
Hi Crystal! How awesome! It’s always great when you find a healthy recipe everyone loves! Thanks for the feedback ❤
I just made this recipe. I am literally eating it right now. After I took the first bite, I said aloud to no one, “HOLY HECK!” This is soooo good. This is a nice change from all the repetitive low carb meals I’ve been making. Also, this is my first time tasting Frank’s Red Hot Sauce. No wonder they put that @#&$ on everything!! Thank you for this recipe share. It is simple and so delicious. It’s so great for meal prep. I am doing my best to eat the salad I made to eat with the casserole because I just want to keep eating the casserole. This meal will be in regular rotation. Since I already had chicken on hand, I tossed about 2lbs into the crockpot for a few hours, but I really like the idea of getting the pre-cooked rotisserie chicken. How convenient! Thanks again from Las Vegas!
Hi there Noelle! Greetings from Texas here! So glad you loved this recipe. This gave me a chuckle🤣 Franks Red Hot sauce is very good! Stay safe & thank you for the feedback.
Just made & ate this & LOVED IT & definitely will be making again.
I’ve shared your link with the local keto group as well, which I hope is OK?
Made some changes due to lack of ingredients (in the middle of COVID-19). Used 5 chicken breasts, fried in a no stick pan, then shredded. I had no hot sauce, nor the ingredients to make it so I used 2 T. sriracha, 4 t. wine vinegar & 3 T. butter as a sub. for it. Skipped the salt. Used PC extra old cheese.
My husband, who ate 1/4 of the pan & wanted more, wants to know if it can be frozen for later & if so, what your recommendations are for that?
Thanks for a delicious recipe.
Cream likes to curdle after you freeze it and then warm it up again. I’m not sure I would recommend freezing it.
That looks like a delicious combination! Thanks!
You’re so welcome! Enjoy!
What size casserole dish do I use?
Hi Kelly! You can use a 9×13 as pictured above. Hoping that helps!
So very very good. Almost feel like I am cheating ! LOL
I love that!
I made the recipe 4 days ago. It’s a dreamy delight! Thanks so much Hip2keto. You’re the best! #TeamKeto
Thanks for all you do for us keto folks.
Hi there! You’re too sweet❤ I’m so glad to hear how much you loved it!! Thank you for being such a valued reader. If you haven’t joined us already, we would love to have you as part of our supportive community! #yougotthis
https://www.facebook.com/groups/hip2keto30dayketochallenge/?ref=share
What can I replace Franks sauce with in UK please ?
Any ideas what to replace bacon with as well as don’t eat bacon
Hi there! You could try a similar buffalo hot sauce. Just be sure to double check that the ingredients are Keto approved. For the bacon you could leave it out / or use crushed pork rinds as a replacement for the topping. Hoping that might be helpful!
Great flavor, but mine turned out VERY dry – barely any sauce at all. I did sub half and half for the heavy crean, though. Could that have made the difference?
Yes, subbing half and half would make it drier since you are missing some of the fat. If you use half and half again, just make sure to add 1/8 cup of melted butter. Hope this helps!
Another great recipe, even with all the alterations I made to cut fat it was still excellent. I used 0 bacon, cut total cheese to 1/2 cup cheddar and 1/2cup pepper jack, and used half and half instead of heavy cream, oh and used crockpot chicken breats instead of rotisserie… it was very good, you make eating healthy so easy with your great recipes!
Your modifications sound great! Thank YOU so much!