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Easy gluten-free chicken Divan casserole recipe.

Easy Gluten Free Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe

www.melissaraecarr.com
This Easy Gluten Free Chicken Divan Casserole Recipe is a gluten free spin on one of the old-school casseroles I found in my Grandma Bettie's church cookbook.
I turned the classic chicken divan casserole into a gluten free, low carb dinner without any cans of cream of chicken soup in sight!
For 1/8th of the casserole you get:
35.4g protein / 2g carb / 1.3g net carb / 34.2g fat
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Cooling Time 10 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course chicken casserole, gluten free casserole, gluten free dinner, gluten free low carb, keto casserole, keto dinners, low carb, low carb dinner, Main Course, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 8 people
Calories 461 kcal

Equipment

  • small bowl
  • Large Bowl
  • 9 inch Pie Plate or 8x8 pan
  • Whisk
  • Small saucepan
  • Wooden Spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed and cooked
  • 2 cups broccoli, blanched or partially cooked frozen, drained
  • 3/4 cup +1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
  • 2 oz cream cheese; softened
  • 3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup crushed pork rinds

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 400F and grease a 9 inch pie plate or 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.
  • Arrange your blanched broccoli and chicken in a single layer in your casserole dish and set aside for now.
    1 lb chicken breast, cubed and cooked, 2 cups broccoli, blanched
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat add your heavy cream, chicken broth, butter, salt, pepper and sage seasoning.
    3/4 cup +1 Tablespoon Heavy Cream, 1/2 cup chicken broth, 4 tablespoons butter, 1 teaspoon sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon ground sage
  • Whisk until the butter is melted then turn up the heat to bring it to a boil. Once it is boiling, turn the heat down to a simmer and add in the cream cheese. Whisk well until the cream cheese is smooth in the sauce.
    2 oz cream cheese; softened
  • Bring it back up to a simmer and sprinkle the xanthan gum over the top as you whisk it in. Let the sauce simmer for 2-3 minutes until it coats the back of a spoon.
    3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
  • Now pour the hot cream sauce over the chicken and broccoli in the casserole dish or pie plate. Top with the shredded cheddar cheese and set aside while you make the topping.
    1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • In a small skillet, melt the remaining tablespoon of butter then stir in the crushed pork rinds or toasted bread crumbs.
    1/4 cup crushed pork rinds
  • Stir well until all of the melted butter is absorbed by the crumbs. Put the pie plate or casserole dish onto a larger baking sheet in case it bubbles over the edge. Now sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the top of the casserole and bake for 20-25 minutes.
  • Once it is baked, remove from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes before serving up.
  • Serve it hot with your choice of cauliflower rice or keto egg noodles to keep it a complete meal.
  • Store leftover Chicken Divan in an air-tight container up to 5 days or you can freeze for up to 2-3 months. Flash freeze leftovers in the original dish for 1 hour only if completely cooled. Then transfer it all to an airtight container or freezer-safe bag.
  • When you want to thaw the frozen leftovers to serve, put back in the original dish and let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Cook at 400F covered with foil for 10 minutes.

Notes

Nutrition Facts
Serving size: servings
Servings: 8
Amount per serving  
Calories 461
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 34.2g 44%
Saturated Fat 17.9g 90%
Cholesterol 151mg 50%
Sodium 691mg 30%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0.7g 2%
Total Sugars 0.4g  
Protein 35.4g  
Vitamin D 16mcg 82%
Calcium 97mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%
Potassium 200mg 4%
 
How do I blanch the broccoli florets?
To blanch the broccoli, simply bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the broccoli florets and cook for 1-2 minutes until bright green and slightly tender. 
Immediately transfer the broccoli to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, then drain and pat dry before using in the casserole.
How can I add more flavor to the casserole?
Feel free to customize the recipe by adding spices or herbs such as curry powder, lemon juice, or white wine to the creamy sauce for an extra kick of flavor. Also consider using flavored pork rinds for the topping like apple cinnamon, jalepeno or bbq instead of plain pork rinds.
Are there other vegetables that can be used instead of the broccoli?
Yes, you can use any sturdy vegetable like cauliflower or green beans as long as they have been partially cooked, blanched or are canned.
Can I use leftover cooked chicken for this recipe?
Absolutely! Leftover rotisserie chicken or cooked turkey works well in this recipe.
Can I make this casserole ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. Simply cover it with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to a day in advance. The day of making it, let it sit out on the counter for at least 10 minutes before baking so it does not burn trying to get the casserole cooked.
Is the pork rind crust needed?
The pork rind crust adds a crunchy texture and savory flavor to the casserole, making it a delicious alternative to the traditional topping of crushed Ritz crackers.
If you want to use bread crumbs, toast the bread first then grind in a coffee grinder or food processor.

Nutrition

Calories: 461kcalCarbohydrates: 2gProtein: 35.4gFat: 34.2gSaturated Fat: 17.9gSodium: 691mg
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