This super easy Keto Cheesy Ranch Chicken and Rice is chock full of flavor and texture and cheesy, ranch-flavored goodness! A delicious budget friendly keto chicken dinner your family will request over and over again!
I’m going to be honest and confess that while the chicken thighs (or drumsticks if you’re keeping it super budget friendly) ARE delicious – crispy skin, tender juicy meat, yada, yada, yada… it’s the cheesy ranch cauliflower rice that is the star of this dish.
Hard to believe I know. But it’s true! Instead of calling this keto cheesy ranch chicken and rice, I probably should have called it keto cheesy ranch cauliflower rice – with some chicken. 😂
The top of this keto cheesy ranch cauliflower rice gets a little crunchy and chewy, while the interior is fluffy and cheesy and has a noticeable ranch flavor. It’s sublimely delicious – keto comfort food in the extreme.
So much so that I actually scraped all of the leftover cauliflower rice off of the bottoms of the baked chicken pieces in the fridge and warmed it up for lunch the next day without even bothering to add the chicken.
I eventually ate the chicken too, but was legit sad when the ranch cauliflower rice was all gone.
And don’t get me wrong, the crispy ranch chicken was also amazing – just not as amazing as that cheesy ranch cauliflower rice. Which you could absolutely make on its own – but baking the chicken thighs in the rice definitely adds extra flavor so I’m not sure it would be quite as good without the chicken juices soaked right into it.
Now let’s talk briefly about how easy this keto cheesy ranch chicken and rice is…
SO. EASY.
THE END.
Mix, spread, top, bake….
Viola – dinner on the table!
I used regular old Hidden Valley Ranch dressing seasoning for this keto cheesy ranch chicken and rice (not sponsored, just what I used) and it came out great. If you don’t have access to or don’t want to use packaged ranch seasoning, you can make your own ranch seasoning at home.
Times are tough right now, and if you’re like me then easy and inexpensive dinners that nobody is going to gripe about are all that is keeping you going. This keto cheesy ranch cauliflower rice definitely fits the bill and I’m excited for you to try it and report back!
If you’re not on keto, you can absolutely make these ranch chicken legs with regular rice instead of cauliflower rice. Simply replace the cauliflower with 2 cups of rice, and add 3 3/4 cup of water to the mix as well. Bake as directed, or until the rice has absorbed all of the liquid and the chicken is cooked through.
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Keto Cheesy Ranch Chicken and Rice
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Diabetic
Description
This super easy Keto Cheesy Ranch Chicken & Rice is chock full of flavor and texture and cheesy, ranch-flavored goodness! A delicious keto chicken dinner your family will request over and over again!
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch dressing seasoning (or 3 tablespoons homemade ranch seasoning)
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 6 cups cauliflower rice
- 6 chicken leg quarters (legs and/or thighs)
- 1 teaspoon coarse kosher salt (or 1/2 teaspoon table salt)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Combine the butter, cream cheese, and 2 tablespoons of the ranch seasoning in a medium sized bowl and microwave for 1 minute. Stir until well blended.
- Add the cauliflower rice (or rice and water) and shredded cheese and stir well.
- Transfer to a 9 x 13 baking or casserole dish and spread out evenly over the surface of the pan.
- Rub the remaining seasoning over the chicken parts and place them on top of the rice.
- Sprinkle with salt and pepper, then drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake, uncovered, for 45 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is golden brown.
Notes
Approximate net carbs per serving = 4g.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Keto Chicken Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 chicken thigh + 1 cup rice
- Calories: 545
- Fat: 39g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 42g
Need more delicious keto chicken recipes to keep your tribe happy and healthy? Here’s a fantastic collection of low carb chicken recipes with something for every taste and budget!
Karen says
Have made this twice now in 8 days. So easy to make and is extremely flavorful. Used frozen cauliflower rice and did thaw and drain it as you suggested. That really worked. I now have 3 individual portions frozen for when I do not want to cook.
Lene says
This was delicious and super easy to make! I think the leftovers taste even better. . Added to my weekly rotation! Thank you for all your great recipes!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Thanks Lene, so happy you enjoyed it as much as we did!
Jessica says
This recipe is so simple and so delicious!!
Savanna D Creech says
This was great, just like all your recipes. Thanks so much!
Allison says
Delicious!!!! This is AMAZING and easy!! Thank you!
Beth says
I haven’t tried this yet but am sure it is yummy! However, unless they have change their ingredients list in the past year, the Hidden Valley Ranch mix contains MSG which makes this dish NOT clean
Mellissa Sevigny says
I never claimed that this recipe was Clean Keto Beth, and I also provide a link to a recipe for homemade ranch seasoning in the post for those that don’t want to use a store brand.
Karen says
I needed a quick side dish for a Turkey Breast I had already made. I just used frozen riced cauliflower and then made the cheesy “rice” part of this recipe. It was wonderful. Next week I will be making the whole recipe as I can see where the chicken cooking on top of the “rice” will add a whole other dimension of flavor to it. This is a keeper!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Glad you liked it Karen and yes the chicken cooking with the rice takes it to another level that I bet you’ll love even more!
Stephanie says
Where did you get that awesome baking dish? It looks so deep. I have a 9 by 13 baking dish but the sides are much shorter. I would love to add this dish to my kitchen collection!
Izzy F says
This was insanely good. I was going through some insane cravings and this recipe hit the spot and was delicious. I’m so excited to have leftovers. Boyfriend + me will sleep well tonight. I love all your recipes and have your cookbook. This will be added to my keto repertoire!
leezee says
OOOOOooops Sorry I just re read it! 6 cups! is that one bag. I would need to double this recipe!
leezee says
This looks insanely good, can’t wait to try it out! I noticed 18 cups of cauliflower rice, is that typically 2 bags worth?