Salsa Verde Low Carb Chicken Casserole
This Salsa Verde Low Carb Chicken Casserole is muy delicioso! It’s one of those easy chicken casserole recipes that is quickly going to become a family favorite.
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By know you know I’m all about an easy weeknight dinner. And if I can make it low-carb, then that’s even better. I feel like we eat so many carbs without thinking about it, it’s nice to have some chicken casserole ideas in the rotation that are packed with lean protein and healthy veggies… sans the carbs.
That was where my head was at for today’s yummy recipe… Salsa Verde Low Carb Chicken Casserole!
It has tender chicken, fresh peppers and onions, layered with the most creamy and tangy sauce, all topped off with some shredded Mexican cheese! It’s muy fantastico if I do say so myself!
In case you’re not familiar with Salsa Verde it’s a green tomatillo style salsa that you can make yourself or buy pre-made. It typically has tomatillos, jalapeños, onion, lime juice, garlic and cilantro. And it can be as spicy as you want, depending upon your tastes.
I used a premade medium heat salsa verde for this creamy chicken fajita casserole. I combined it with sour cream to create the most divine sauce ever!
Wondering what to serve with this Mexican Chicken Casserole?
Allow me to make a few suggestions…
In keeping with the low-carb theme I would recommend some low-carb tortillas and turn it into tacos, enchiladas, burritos, or Mexican pizzas. There are several different options to choose from… OR you can even make your own low-carb tortillas!
You could keep it really healthy and serve it with some leafy greens or even a Mexican Cucumber Salad.
If low-carb is not a priority, another great option is to add some pinto beans into the mix. Just place a can or two of drained, rinsed pinto beans in the bottom of the casserole dish, and layer all the other ingredients on top as specified in the recipe.
Or you could enjoy this low carb chicken casserole Sander style and just grab a fork and eat it straight out of the pan. What can I say? When it comes to deliciousness we sometimes loose our manners. I’m sure you know nothing about that. Ahem.
This yummy low carb chicken recipe is not just delicious it’s incredibly easy to make as well.
How To Make this salsa verde low carb chicken casserole:
First, preheat your oven. While it's heating up, prep your peppers and onion. Cut one onion in half, then slice it very thin and separate the layers. Use two colored peppers, remove the stem and veins, and slice thin as well.
Then you mix your salsa verde, cilantro, cumin, garlic powder, almond flour (or regular flour if low-carb is not a factor) salt, pepper and sour cream together in a bowl. Heat up 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium saute pan on the stove over medium heat. Add the sour cream mixture - cook and stir for 3-4 minutes but do not allow it to start to simmer.
Now add the salsa verde to the pan - cook and stir for 2 minutes. Don't allow the mixture to bubble or simmer.
Not it’s time to assemble.
Add a little olive oil or cooking spray to your favorite 9x13 casserole dish. Add the chicken tenders in one layer. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Pour half of the salsa verde mixture onto the chicken.
Now add half the cilantro, peppers and onions to the baking dish. Cover with the rest of the sauce.
Layer on the rest of the cilantro and the veggies. Now, sprinkle on the shredded cheese.
Cover with tin foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the tin foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes, until your handy digital meat thermometer tells you that the chicken is at least 165F.
Garnish with cilantro, diced jalapenos, tomatoes, olives or whatever your heart desires. Then devour!
And there you have it… chicken salsa verde (aka “pollo en salsa verde”) on the table in less than an hour. An easy and low-carb chicken tender casserole that will satisfy all your cravings for Mexican comfort food!
Salsa Verde Low Carb Chicken Casserole
This Salsa Verde Low Carb Chicken Casserole is one of those easy chicken casserole recipes that is quickly going to become a family favorite.
Ingredients
- 1 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons almond flour (or use regular flour if low-carb is not a concern)
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon powdered garlic
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup Salsa Verde
- 1½ pounds boneless skinless chicken tenders
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, rough chopped (more for garnish)
- 2 sweet peppers, cored, seeds and membranes removed and sliced
- 1 small onion, very thinly sliced
- 8 ounces shredded cheese
- Garnish with your favorite toppings: cilantro leaves, avocado, guacamole, green onions, jalapeños, sour cream, salsa or more salsa verde
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350. While the oven is preheating, prepare the onions and peppers.
- In a small bowl, mix sour cream, almond flour, cumin, salt, pepper and garlic powder.
- Heat and melt the butter in a saucepan on the stove over medium heat.
- Add the sour cream mixture and stir. Let this heat up slowly for 3 about minutes but watch it closely and do not let it start bubbling or reach a simmer. Controlling the heat will help your sauce to stay creamy and not separate when baking.
- Stir in the salsa verde and continue to cook for another 1-2 minutes, again not allowing the mixture to bubble or simmer. Then remove from the heat and set aside.
- Spray the bottom of your casserole dish with cooking spray.
- Add the chicken tenders and sprinkle with 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, salt and pepper.
- Pour half the sour cream sauce over the chicken.
- Add half the peppers and onions, then pour the rest of the sauce on top. Sprinkle with another tablespoon of cilantro.
- Add the rest of the veggies and sprinkle evenly with the cheese.
- Cover and bake for 25 minutes, then uncover and bake for 15 more minutes, until the chicken measures 165 degrees on a meat thermometer.
- Cool for 10 minutes then serve, garnishing with your favorite toppings.
Nutrition Information
Yield
6Serving Size
8 ouncesAmount Per Serving Calories 403Total Fat 24gSaturated Fat 12gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 132mgSodium 1094mgCarbohydrates 9gFiber 1gSugar 6gProtein 34g
More low carb chicken recipes you might enjoy:
Chicken with Creamy Parmesan Mushroom Sauce
Instant Pot Spaghetti Squash Buffalo Chicken
Low Carb Ranch Chicken Broccoli Casserole
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
txgirl
Super tasty! Followed recipe as written. Used poblano, yellow and orange for the peppers and lots of pepperjack cheese to kick up the heat. Once baked, wrapped spoonfuls of everything up in a tortilla and topped with avocado, cilantro, and pickled jalapeños. Yummy! Will definitely make again!
holly
Thanks so much! This is one of my favorite casseroles so I love hearing how much you enjoyed it! Now I'm hungry and will be making this again this week.
Judy
I crave spice and flavor so I added more cumin and salsa verde. I also really piled on the onions and peppers. This was one of the best meals I have ever had in my life, let alone Keto. It is a true winner!
Bryan
Thank you Judy! This is a family favorite here and I love how you spiced it up even more.
Kerry
It’s okay, it lacks a little flavor
holly
Did you make the homemade salsa verde or use a jarred version? I've made it both ways. The salsa verde is really the main flavor component in this dish so I would recommend either making your own or using one that is full of flavor like Pace Salsa Verde (Medium).
Claire | The Simple, Sweet Life
This sounds SO delicious and I am totally here for that homemade salsa verde mixture. Sign. Me. Up.
Monica | Nourish + Fete
You hit the nail on the head- we eat so many carbs without even thinking about it, it's great to have new dinner ideas that are easy but don't rely on them to be delicious! Definitely adding this to the rotation- such a crowd-pleasing option!
holly
Thanks so much, Monica! I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine!
Sam | Ahead of Thyme
This casserole sounds perfect for dinner on a busy weeknight! Love the flavour combos you put in here, sounds soo yummy. Pinned!
Jessica (Swanky Recipes)
I'm having friends over the New Year and I need a casserole everyone will love. This has so many delicious fresh ingredients that I'm sure everyone is going to love it!
Les
The color, the cheese, the (low)carb - love everything about this!
holly
Aw thanks so much, Leslie!💕
Kiki Johnson
This one has family favorite written all over it! Love me some salsa verde and this recipe looks wonderfully straightforward! I also wanted to congratulate you on your food photography! Gorgeous pics!
Tammy
Perfect dinner option since I've started the Keto diet...saving this for later 😀 Looks delish ^_^
David
Mmm, this looks so good! Love to find new chicken recipes. So much flavor, and love all the colors!
holly
Thanks a bunch, David! This dish is full of so much yummy flavor!
Sherri
Such a colorful dish with those beautiful peppers! And that delicious sauce has totally got me drooling! Love how easy this is to put together too! Perfect for any night of the week! 🙂
lauren
What a great weeknight dinner! I love that you can just layer this in the pan and go. The sauce looks so flavorful and must add so much moisture to the dish!
Anne Lawton
Wow! I could eat this for dinner every night. I looks delicious thanks for sharing.
holly
Ha! I feel the same way, Anne! We love this casserole!
Analida Braeger
Ahh what a perfect low carb meal to warm up in the winter. The cream, chicken, and heat make it perfect for that. Also the ingredients are super simple, surely I have everything to make this tonight!