Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe (Keto & Whole30)
Published Jan 07, 2020 Updated Apr 17, 2024
This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
The best Buffalo Chicken Casserole that’s Keto, and can be tailored to be Whole30 and Paleo. Filled with shredded chicken, mayo, ranch, nutritional yeast, seasoning, banana peppers, and Frank’s buffalo sauce. An easy weeknight dinner made with simple ingredients and easy to customize!
Table of Contents
What Makes This Recipe Great
You know how much I love casserole recipes, and this new healthy Buffalo Chicken Casserole is a show-stopper! It’s a great way to pack a dinner full of protein, with fun and delicious flavors the whole family loves. Plus, it is such an easy dinner recipe and is Whole30, Keto, and Paleo-compliant. Healthy has never tasted so good!
I love this easy recipe because it’s versatile and customizable– you can use regular versions or the healthier swaps I’ve included, make it dairy-free, or use regular dairy– it’s all up to you! We use this as an option for meal prep, too. I will throw this in a glass storage container and serve it with a side salad drizzled with red wine vinegar, light olive oil, and a little lemon juice for an easy lunch that week.
If you love buffalo chicken flavors, try these Healthy Buffalo Chicken Bowls, or these Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes.
Ingredient Notes
- cooked shredded chicken breast: You can use cooked rotisserie chicken, leftover chicken, or cook chicken breasts and shred them.
- cauliflower rice: Raw (make sure all moisture is squeezed out). You can also use cooked white rice if desired (not whole30 or keto).
- Frank’s hot sauce: Use any buffalo wing sauce you like. I like Frank’s.
- dairy-free ranch dressing: I have this dairy-free ranch recipe. Feel free to use dairy-free or regular depending on your diet and lifestyle preferences.
- mayonnaise: I have this homemade whole30 compliant mayo or you can use your favorite store-bought option.
- chopped white onion
- banana peppers
- chopped green onions
- salt
- paprika
- black pepper
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- nutritional yeast
- shredded cheese (optional): Use mild or sharp cheddar cheese, blue cheese crumbles, or another cheese of choice. Omit for dairy-free.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, mayo, chopped green onions, chopped banana peppers, spices, and yellow onions. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- NOTE: If you are using frozen cauliflower rice, it is really important to cook it first then add it to a cheesecloth to remove any additional moisture. If you skip this step, it will result in a very wet casserole and it won’t set properly. If you can, I recommend getting the cauliflower rice or chopped cauliflower fresh in the produce aisle.
- Add the cauliflower rice to the large bowl of the chicken mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with drizzled ranch, buffalo sauce, and additional chopped green onions.
Mac’s Pro TipS
Expert Tips
- Make sure not to overbake because it could possibly dry it out.
- If you don’t want to make my homemade mayo or ranch, then you can buy other compliant brands such as Primal Kitchen or Tessemae’s.
- Alternatively, if ranch isn’t your thing, you can swap for blue cheese dressing.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and enjoy!
To freeze, let it cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer the entire casserole (except for the garnish) to an airtight container or individual meal prep containers and place it in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and serve.
Recipe FAQs
1 serving has 383 calories, 3 grams of net carbs, and 50 grams of protein!
More Buffalo Chicken Recipes
Follow on Instagram
If you love this recipe, please give it a star rating and leave a comment below! Follow me on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for more!
Creamy Buffalo Chicken Casserole Recipe (Keto & Whole30)
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs cooked shredded chicken breast (4 cups)
- 3 1/2 cups cauliflower rice raw (make sure all moisture is squeezed out)
- 1/2 cup Franks Hot Sauce or buffalo sauce of choice
- 2 tbsp dairy-free ranch dressing
- 1/2 cup mayo
- 1/2 cup chopped white onion
- 1/3 cup banana peppers
- 1/3 cup chopped green onions
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 2 1/2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- Optional: 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese dairy-free or regular (omit if Whole30 or paleo)
Garnish
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing
- 2 tbsp tbsp Franks Hot Sauce
- 1/4 cup sliced green onions
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken, buffalo sauce, ranch dressing, mayo, chopped green onions, spices, chopped banana peppers, nutritional yeast and yellow onions. Mix well until everything is evenly coated.
- NOTE: If you are using frozen cauliflower rice, it is really important to cook it first then add to a cheesecloth to remove any additional moisture. If you skip this step, it will result in a very wet casserole and it won’t set properly. If you can, I recommend getting the cauliflower rice or chopped cauliflower fresh in the produce aisle.
- Add the cauliflower rice to the chicken mixture and stir until well combined. Transfer the mixture to the greased baking dish, spreading it out evenly. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top of the casserole.
- Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Once done, remove the casserole from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with drizzled ranch, buffalo sauce and additional chopped green onions.
Notes
Expert Tips
- Make sure not to overbake because it could possibly dry it out.
- If you don’t want to make my homemade mayo or ranch, then you can buy other compliant brands such as Primal Kitchen or Tessemae’s.
- Alternatively, if ranch isn’t your thing, you can swap for blue cheese dressing.
Storage Tips
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and enjoy! To freeze, let it cool completely at room temperature. Then transfer the entire casserole (except for the garnish) to an airtight container or individual meal prep containers and place it in the freezer. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then reheat and serve.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
(Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.)
Another winner! We have added this to our monthly rotation. So yummy! Thank you for all of your delicious recipes!!
We love buffalo chicken in our house and are always looking for different recipes to try. This one does not disappoint! I love that it freezes well too so I can freeze the leftovers as “meal prep” for days that I’m working. It’s also good hot or cold which is great for days that I’m eating a few bites here and there on the run as a busy ER nurse!
Hi Lana…….first of all thank you for what you do in the ER! Oh my goodness, your service is so so needed and is not always seen as important. It takes compassionate nurses to make the sometimes scary ER visits a game changer.
Thank you for your kind food review comments. Looks like this recipe meets so many of your busy lifestyle needs. So so happy I could help:-)
This recipe is simple and hearty! I used a rotisserie chicken to save myself some time in the kitchen. Great flavor and texture!
I am so happy to hear you liked it. Thank you
Loved this recipe! Super easy! Always looking for great Whole30 recipes that both my husband and I will like.
A winner! Thank you! xo
Awwww, thanks Tara. Isn’t if so fun to find recipes that fit both of your tastebuds? So glad I could help build your Whole30 favs;-)
Made this the other night for my boyfriend and we were IN LOVE. I did sauté the onions a little first and did half rice/half cauliflower rice (for an extra full feeling).
Always love your recipes and ideas. Thank you so much for sharing!
-Aly
YAY!!! Thanks so much for your kind words Aly!!!! So glad to know Im working to create recipes that you love and fit your lifestyle:-)
So fast and easy and the flavor is great! Definitely will make again.
Thank you so much!
This was so good and so easy to put together! I think next time I might add some chopped celery to add a little extra crunch. This is definitely going to be in my regular rotation. Thank you!!
SO happy to hear. Thank you Lauren!
I cheated w/ rotisserie chicken, but this is AMAZING! It was part of weekly meal prep & we had for dinner tonight! ❤️❤️❤️
I am so happy to hear this. Thank you so much
If you like chicken with a kick, this is the one for you! Even better reheated the next day!
Thank you so much!
Do you have a specific recipe or preferred way of shredding the chicken for this recipe??
I usually just shred with a fork. You can also you a stand mixer to shred your chicken.
Whoops, I meant to ask for a recipe for how to prepare the shredded chicken but I ended up boiling it and then using your recommendation of the stand mixer. This is the first paleo recipe I’ve ever attempted and WOW! It’s so incredibly good! I used primal foods mayo and your homemade ranch recipe! This will last us several days, then we plan on trying your recipe for ranch roast next.
I am so happy to hear you loved this one. I hope you enjoy! Thank you for giving them a try.
Everyone loved this!!! It was so so good. Definitely going to have this again. I put some sour cream on it to cut through the heat. Very good.
Thanks so much Yvonne……..thrilled it was a hit