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!
Dee says
Made this ranch cauliflower as a side dish. It’s great! Going into the weekly side dish rotation. Even my non-low carb hubby liked it! Thank you.
Pam F says
I love your recipes! I would like to use boneless/skinless chicken breasts. Would that change the oven temperature and or baking time?
Shannon says
I’m excited to make this tonight ! I have bags of fresh cauliflower rice, do I need to do anything with it prior to stirring into the mixture ?
Mellissa Sevigny says
Sorry I missed this Shannon – hope you had good results! No you don’t need to do anything to the cauliflower rice before adding to the recipe unless it calls for rinsing on the package maybe – and if you do be sure to dry it out well before using so it’s not soggy after cooking.
Brenda Watt says
This recipe is incredible! It’s easy, quick and the leftovers are even more tasty. I’m thinking about adding sautéed mushrooms to the “rice” mixture. Thank you for another fabulous recipe!
Laura says
Okay I’ve been making riced/mashed cauliflower for years but never used this herb/spices profile and normally put bacon in it. This is amazingly delicious and has changed the flavor profile so much that it’s almost like having something totally different! I love it and will be making it on repeat. Thank you!
Sonia says
Should I reduce the oven time for boneless chicken/breasts?
Peggy says
I made this as a side dish last night and I’m making it again tonight!!
The only difference I used garlic and herb dry seasoning instead of ranch as that is what I have.
Thank you Melissa for great recipes!!
Mellissa Sevigny says
Two nights in a row! That’s when you know it’s good! 😂🎉
Lore says
Hubby, who normally likes new recipes as much as getting a root canal just went into the kitchen and had seconds! Definitely a keeper, thanks for the recipe :)
Mellissa Sevigny says
Wow that’s high praise – please tell him that I’m thrilled he enjoyed it so much!
Annette says
This looks and sounds so good. I don’t use packaged ranch dressing because i don’t like the ingredients. Some are not good for us. What spices can i use to make my own. Thank you for all your great recipes.
Mellissa Sevigny says
Just google “ranch dressing mix recipe” and there will be plenty that come up for making your own home-made version.
LuAnna H Harrelson says
I made this last night…OMG!!!!.It was soooo good!! Had leftovers tonight – even better!!!! This goes in the rotation!!!
Mellissa Sevigny says
So happy to hear it LuAnna! We love this one too!