Aunt Susan swore by this easy dinner on busy weeknights. Only 4 ingredients for a bubbly, cheesy masterpiece that feels like a hug.

This low carb 4-ingredient chicken casserole is exactly the kind of cozy shortcut dinner my Aunt Susan swore by on her busiest weeknights. It’s the kind of recipe you can throw together after work with one eye on the kids’ homework and the other on your email. Shredded chicken gets folded into a creamy, tangy sauce, then buried under a blanket of cheese that bubbles up golden and gooey around the edges. With just four simple ingredients and almost no prep, it feels like a warm hug in a glass baking dish—perfect for when you need real comfort food without a lot of carbs or effort.

I like to serve this casserole with something fresh and crunchy to balance the richness—think a simple green salad with vinaigrette or steamed broccoli tossed in a little olive oil and lemon. Roasted green beans or asparagus are also great low carb sides that can cook on a sheet pan while the casserole bakes. If you’re feeding mixed eaters, you can spoon the cheesy chicken over cauliflower rice for yourself and over buttered egg noodles or white rice for anyone who isn’t watching carbs. A sprinkle of fresh parsley or green onions on top right before serving adds a nice pop of color and brightness.

Servings: 4

3 cups cooked shredded chicken (rotisserie or leftover)

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 2-quart glass baking dish (an 8x8-inch or similar size works well).

In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the sour cream and mayonnaise until smooth and fully combined. This is your simple creamy sauce base.

Add the shredded chicken to the bowl and toss until every piece is well coated in the creamy mixture. The chicken should look evenly sauced and a bit thick.

Fold in 1 cup of the shredded cheddar cheese, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for the top. Mix just until the cheese is evenly distributed throughout the chicken mixture.

Spoon the chicken mixture into the prepared glass baking dish and spread it out into an even layer, pressing it gently into the corners so it bakes evenly.

Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top, covering as much of the surface as possible so you get that bubbly, cheesy crust.

Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are browned and crispy, the cheese on top is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated through.

If you want extra browning on top, switch the oven to broil for 1–2 minutes at the end, watching closely so the cheese doesn’t burn.

Remove the casserole from the oven and let it rest for about 5 minutes. This helps it set up slightly and makes it easier to scoop while still staying creamy and gooey inside.

Serve hot, scooping the cheesy chicken straight from the glass baking dish. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days and reheat gently in the oven or microwave.

To keep the 4-ingredient promise, this base recipe is super simple, but you can tweak it depending on what your week looks like. For a little extra flavor without adding ingredients to the baking dish, season the cooked chicken before mixing (salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika all work well and don’t change the core recipe). Swap cheddar for a low-moisture mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend to change the flavor and melt. If you want even fewer carbs, double-check labels on your sour cream and mayo and choose full-fat, low-sugar versions. For meal prep, you can assemble the casserole up to a day ahead, cover it tightly, and refrigerate; add 5–10 minutes to the bake time if it’s going into the oven cold. If you need to stretch the servings a bit, serve the casserole over steamed riced cauliflower or shredded sautéed cabbage, which keeps it low carb but makes the meal feel heartier. And if your family likes a little kick, offer hot sauce, red pepper flakes, or a spoonful of salsa on the side so everyone can customize their own plate without changing the core four ingredients.