Our chicken Alfredo keto recipes will help you indulge in your favorite meal without the guilt. Unsurprisingly, you may wonder whether or not you can eat chicken Alfredo on the keto diet. You worry about the pasta and whether you can replace it with something keto-friendly and fewer carbs.
Don’t worry because our chicken Alfredo keto recipes have few enough carbs to welcome a baked casserole on cold days or a quick skillet meal on weeknights. Let’s dive into what makes keto-friendly chicken Alfredo and how to make the delicious meals.
Is Chicken Alfredo High in Carbohydrates?
Chicken Alfredo keto-friendly recipes cut carbs with ingredient substitutes, which you’ll see in the following recipes:
- Easy keto chicken Alfredo (10)
- Keto chicken Alfredo with spinach (12)
- Keto chicken Alfredo with spaghetti squash (14)
- Keto chicken Alfredo cauliflower bake (9)
- Keto chicken Alfredo broccoli bake (11)
However, let’s discover everything you must know about eating chicken Alfredo on keto before showing you the mouth-watering recipes.
Which Has More Carbs – Pasta or Rice?
Regular rice or pasta has too many carbs for keto. However, which one has more? The USDA suggests a cup of cooked white rice has 44.6 g of carbs or 44 g of net carbs (13). Meanwhile, a cup of wheat flour fettuccine pasta has 43 g of carbs or 41.2 g of net carbs (3).
Regular wheat-based pasta has slightly fewer carbs than white rice. Ultimately though, neither is suitable on the keto diet. You should only eat 20-50 g of net carbs daily on keto (5). Fortunately, every recipe in our top picks excludes high-carb pasta or rice.
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How Many Carbs Are in Keto Chicken Alfredo?
It depends on the recipe. For example, the easy chicken Alfredo keto recipe has 6 g of carbs per serving (10). However, the keto chicken Alfredo with spinach has 5.3 g of carbs per serving (12). Alternatively, the keto chicken Alfredo broccoli bake has 5 g of carbs per serving (11). The recipes below are low-carb to ensure you stick to keto guidelines.
Why Does Chicken Alfredo Have So Many Calories?
Even the chicken Alfredo keto recipes are higher in calories than many keto-friendly meals. But why? Medical News Today explains how nutritionally dense foods with lots of protein and fat may have more calories (2). Fat contains the most calories per gram. So, high-fat foods on keto will increase calories in meals. Some nutrient-dense foods in our Alfredo include (2):
- Broccoli
- Butter
- Cauliflower
- Cheese
- Chicken
- Egg yolks
- Full-fat dairy
- Olive oil
- Spinach
Mouth-Watering Chicken Alfredo Keto Recipes
Our top keto chicken alfredo recipes will suit a fast weeknight dinner or a Sunday lunch to impress everyone around the table. We focus on low-carb recipes; some have parts where you can make specific ingredients for authentic low-carb meals.
Easy Chicken Alfredo Keto Skillet
Weeknights are tight for casseroles and hours in the kitchen. You need a keto-friendly Alfredo recipe that takes 30 minutes and doesn’t leave you with a kitchen full of dishes. Jennifer Banz’s chicken Alfredo recipe is an easy dinner with all the flavor you desire (10).
- Serves: 4
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 tbsp. avocado oil
- 2 lb. chicken breast cut into 2” chunks
- ½ tsp. crushed garlic
- ½ tsp. dried basil
- 1 tsp. dried oregano
- 1 tsp. sea salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- Fresh parsley to garnish
Directions:
- Heat the avocado oil in a skillet over medium heat,
- Season the chicken with all the seasonings (not parsley),
- Sear the chicken pieces, allowing them to cook through,
- The chicken cooks entirely when a thermometer reads 165°F,
- Remove the chicken and keep it aside,
- Add the heavy cream as you reduce the heat,
- Let the sauce cook until it bubbles slightly,
- Add the parmesan cheese before removing the pan from the heat,
- Whisk the cheese into the sauce until it’s smooth,
- Replace the chicken, stirring to coat it,
- Serve with your garnish.
Nutrition per serving: 628 calories, 6 g carbs, 41 g fat, 57 g protein, and 0 g fiber (10)
Read more: What Pasta Is Keto-Friendly? Here are 15 Keto-Friendly Pasta & Noodle Alternatives
Keto Chicken Alfredo With Spinach
Chicken alfredo keto recipes include a one-skillet idea with spinach. This recipe is courtesy of Gluten-Free Homestead and takes only 30 minutes (12). This recipe has delicious ingredients that keep you full and doesn’t require keto pasta.
- Serves: 4
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 5 slices of 0-nitrite bacon
- 1 ½ lb. sliced chicken strips
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- ¾ cup of grated Parmigiano Raggiano cheese
- 3 chopped garlic cloves
- 5 oz. baby spinach
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 8 oz. sliced mushrooms
Directions:
- Fry the bacon in half of the butter before setting it aside on paper towels,
- Tenderize the chicken strips before adding salt,
- Brown the chicken strips and garlic in the bacon grease for 2-3 minutes a side,
- Set the chicken aside in a covered bowl,
- Sauteé the spinach for 1 minute before draining and adding it to the chicken,
- Clean the skillet before frying the mushrooms with butter for 5 minutes,
- Season the mushrooms with salt, and add them to the chicken bowl,
- Clean the skillet again before adding the heavy cream,
- Bring it to a low boil before adding the cheese,
- Stir until the cheese melts before adding back all the ingredients.
Nutrition per serving: 485 calories, 5.3 g carbs, 28.1 g fat, 53.4 g protein, and 1.4 g fiber (12)
Keto Chicken Alfredo With Spaghetti Squash
Wholesome Yum’s Alfredo with spaghetti squash recipe has inspired a low-carb, keto-friendly pasta you can make for busy weeknights (14). The carbs seem high, but the recipe only has 9.1 g of net carbs per serving. It’s a burst of flavor for another weeknight keto Alfredo recipe.
- Serves: 8
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 medium spaghetti squash
- 2 tbsp. chopped parsley
- 2 large chicken breasts
- 2 tsp. and 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 6 crushed garlic cloves
- 1 ½ cup of heavy cream
- ½ cup of grated parmesan
- ¼ tsp. nutmeg
Directions:
- Sprinkle the spaghetti squash strips with salt and olive oil,
- Bake them in a 350°F preheated oven for 3-4 minutes,
- Melt the two teaspoons of butter in the microwave for 15 seconds,
- Rub the seasoning, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into the melted butter,
- Coat the chicken breasts generously with the seasoned butter,
- Bake the chicken for 18-22 minutes in a 450° oven, and set them aside,
- Heat the tablespoon of butter over medium heat in a skillet,
- Sauteé the garlic for 3-4 minutes before adding the heavy cream,
- Let the cream simmer for 3-4 minutes before adding the cheese,
- Stir until the cheese melts and becomes smooth,
- Add the chicken and spaghetti squash strips into your pan,
- Cook for another 2-3 minutes, sprinkling the nutmeg into your sauce.
Nutrition per serving: 296 calories, 11.2 g carbs, 22.2 g fat, 14.2 g protein, and 2.1 g fiber (14)
Keto Chicken Alfredo With Cauliflower Bake
Chicken Alfredo with cauliflower rice is a treat for the keto diet. However, this recipe is two-fold. First, you’ll focus on a keto-friendly Alfredo sauce before making the bake. You can buy low-carb Alfredo sauce, but making it cuts possibly surprising carbs and calories. Both parts of this recipe are courtesy of Homemade Interest (7, 9).
Part 1: Keto Chicken Alfredo Sauce
A good chicken Alfredo sauce comes from scratch to ensure you don’t eat too many carbs. This recipe only has 3 g of carbs (7). It’s deliciously creamy and works for the cauliflower bake or other meats, vegetables, or seafood dishes.
- Serves: 6
- Prep:
- Cook:
Ingredients:
- 3 tbsp. Unsalted butter
- 2 finely minced garlic cloves
- 2 cups of heavy cream
- 5 oz. finely grated parmesan cheese
- ⅛ tsp. nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
- Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat before cooking the garlic for 1 minute,
- Pour the heavy cream into your pan, letting it simmer for a minute over medium heat,
- Sprinkle the cheese and nutmeg over before cooking it for 8-10 minutes,
- Add the salt and pepper when the sauce thickens,
- Remove the sauce from the heat while preparing the following recipe.
Nutrition per serving: 418 calories, 3 g carbs, 41 g fat, 10 g protein, and 0 g fiber (7)
Part 2: Keto Chicken Alfredo Cauliflower Bake
It’s time to make that delicious keto chicken bake with cauliflower (9). Use cauliflower florets or rice to make this recipe, depending on how you want the texture to become. You’ll use two cups of the sauce from part one. Store the rest in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Serves: 8
- Prep: 15 minutes
- Cook: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 14 oz. bite-sized cauliflower florets
- 32 oz. chicken breast cut into chunks
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. black pepper
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cups of Alfredo sauce from part 1
- 12 oz. shredded mozzarella cheese
Directions:
- Microwave your cauliflower for 1 minute,
- Cover the bowl with a damp cloth before microwaving it for another 3-5 minutes,
- Drain the cauliflower, patting it dry, possibly making it finer for cauliflower rice,
- Use paper towels to remove the excess water and set it aside,
- Sprinkle the onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper on the chicken,
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat before browning your chicken pieces,
- Cook the chicken for 10 minutes until done and set it aside,
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and warm a skillet over medium heat,
- Add the Alfredo sauce and ⅓ of the mozzarella,
- Add your chicken back while melting the cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth,
- Spray a 13×9” casserole dish before spreading the ⅓ of the sauce on the bottom,
- Add half of the cauliflower to the casserole before adding another ⅓ mozzarella,
- Layer another ⅓ of your Alfredo sauce and the other half of your cauliflower,
- Top it with the rest of your Alfredo sauce, followed by the last mozzarella cheese,
- Use the same layers to make a deeper casserole if you still have ingredients,
- Bake your casserole for 30 minutes until the mozzarella turns brown.
Nutrition per serving: 459 calories, 6 g carbs, 41 g fat, 18 g protein, and 1 g fiber (9)
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Keto Chicken Alfredo Bake (Broccoli)
Keto chicken Alfredo with broccoli is a lip-licking comfort food you’ll love on keto. It’s a 3-part recipe that helps you make Alfredo sauce and pasta at home to ensure you eat a low-carb meal. The recipe parts are courtesy of Dr. Davinah’s Eats and Kirbie Cravings (8, 1, 11). However, you can skip part two if you don’t want keto pasta in the casserole.
Part 1: Keto Chicken Alfredo Sauce
Let’s start with the keto-friendly chicken Alfredo sauce you’ll use in part three (8). You can happily store the remainder in an airtight container in the fridge for up to four days.
- Serves: 6
- Prep: 5 minutes
- Cook: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup of unsalted butter
- 4 minced garlic cloves
- 1 cup of heavy whipping cream
- 1 ¼ cup of grated parmesan cheese
- 2 oz. cream cheese
- ½ tsp. Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
Directions:
- Melt the butter over medium-high heat,
- Sauteé the garlic for 2-3 minutes,
- Reduce the heat to medium-low,
- Add the heavy cream, cream cheese, parmesan, and seasoning,
- Stir the sauce until the cheese melts, and it looks smooth,
- Sprinkle the parsley in the sauce once removed from the heat.
Nutrition per serving: 319 calories, 2 g carbs, 32 g fat, 8 g protein, and 1 g fiber (8)
Part 2: Keto Egg Noodles
The second part is optional if you don’t find low-carb keto pasta. Use the 3-ingredient recipe to make egg pasta for keto dishes (1). Add the second part’s macros to the final part if using the keto pasta in your chicken Alfredo recipe.
- Serves: 1
- Prep: 3 minutes
- Cook: 7 minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 large eggs
- 1 oz. cream cheese
- 1 tbsp. blanched almond flour
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F while lining a baking sheet with parchment paper,
- Add all the ingredients to a blender, pulsing until smooth,
- Pour the batter onto the baking sheet, spreading it thinly,
- Bake it for 5-7 minutes,
- Use a sharp knife to cut the pasta strips you desire for your casserole.
Nutrition per serving: 242 calories, 2 g carbs, 19 g fat, 14 g protein, and 1 g fiber (1)
Read more: Keto-Friendly Thai Food: 8 Thai Dishes to Eat and 5 to Avoid on the Keto Diet
Part 3: Keto Chicken Alfredo Broccoli Casserole
Let’s get to the good part. Remember that the macros in this part don’t include part two. The chicken Alfredo with broccoli casserole recipe is a gourmet delight you can use to impress anyone, even yourself (11).
- Serves: 12
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Cook: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ lb. chicken breasts cut into chunks
- 1 ½ tbsp. Italian seasoning
- 3 tsp. garlic powder
- ¼ tsp. sea salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 3 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 cups of Alfredo sauce from part 1
- 3 cups of broccoli florets
- 2 cups of grated mozzarella cheese
Directions:
- Mix the spices before rubbing them into the chicken breast chunks,
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, browning the chicken pieces,
- Cook the chicken for 3-4 minutes each side until done,
- Remove from the heat and set it aside,
- Preheat your oven to 350°F while spraying a casserole dish,
- Microwave the broccoli in a covered bowl for 2-3 minutes,
- Layer ⅓ of part one’s Alfredo sauce on the bottom,
- Add half the chicken and broccoli to the casserole,
- Boil your egg noodles for 2-3 minutes on the stove,
- Spread the egg noodles over the mix if using them,
- Spread another ⅓ of part one’s sauce over the dish,
- Sprinkle half of the mozzarella over the casserole,
- Follow it with the other half of the chicken and broccoli,
- Cover the top with the rest of your mozzarella,
- Bake the casserole for 10-15 minutes until the cheese melts.
Nutrition per serving: 275 calories, 5 g carbs, 19 g fat, 19 g protein, and 1 g fiber (11)
For more healthy chicken ideas:
FAQs
Does Chicken Have Added Sugar?
Raw chicken breasts have no carbs or added sugar. Very Well Fit says that breading and seasoning may add sugar or carbohydrates to chicken (6). Hence, fast-food chicken dishes, breaded chicken breasts, and pre-seasoned chicken may contain added carbohydrates.
How Many Grams of Sugar Are in Alfredo Pasta?
Nutrition IX reports that two cups of cooked Alfredo fettuccine pasta has 4 g of sugar (4). The calories are a shocking 1,186, too. You can’t limit your calories daily with that number in a single meal.
Is Fettuccine Alfredo High in Carbs?
Regular fettuccine pasta is high in carbs. Nutrition IX says two cups of cooked fettuccine pasta for Alfredo has a carb count of 106 grams (4). Another source shows that a cup of wheat flour fettuccine has 43 g of carbs (3). The odds are against using regular fettuccine in keto pasta, like Alfredo if you are on keto. So, stick to keto-friendly, low-carb pasta substitutes.
The Bottom Line
The best chicken Alfredo keto recipes use low-carb ingredients and pack your daily nutrition with fat and protein on the keto diet. The calories are high. So, limit your Alfredo dinners. However, pick a recipe tonight, or stun your family on Sunday with a keto Alfredo bake.
DISCLAIMER:
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SOURCES:
- 3-Ingredient Keto Egg Noodles (n.d., kirbiecravings.com)
- Calorie-Dense Foods: Needs, Healthy Options, and More (2022, medicalnewstoday.com)
- Calories in Fettuccine (n.d., nutritionix.com)
- Calories in Fettuccine Alfredo – 1 Serving (About 2 Cups) (n.d., nutritionix.com)
- Carbohydrates on a Keto or Low-Carb Diet (2023, dietdoctor.com)
- Chicken Breast Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits (2022, verywellfit.com)
- Keto Alfredo Sauce (2023, homemadeinterest.com)
- Keto Alfredo Sauce Recipe [+VIDEO] (2023, drdavinahseats.com)
- Keto Chicken Alfredo Casserole Recipe (2022, homemadeinterest.com)
- Keto Chicken Alfredo Recipe – One Skillet! (2023, jenniferbanz.com)
- Keto Chicken Alfredo With Broccoli (2023, drdavinahseats.com)
- One-Pan Creamy Chicken Alfredo (2021, glutenfreehomestead.com)
- Rice, White, Long-Grain, Regular, Unenriched, Cooked With Salt (2019, fdc.nal.usda.gov)
- Spaghetti Squash Chicken Alfredo (2017, wholesomeyum.com)