Low-FODMAP Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole; Gluten-free
April 14, 2023
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Creating low-FODMAP versions of all the yummy meals I enjoyed prior to the low-FODMAP diet is my passion.
I LOVE sharing a version that tastes exactly like the original, but without upsetting my tummy. Or yours.
Here is a classic, American casserole. Living in the Midwest, casseroles are a way of life 🙂
Low-FODMAP Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole combines all our favorite flavors of a Club sandwich, or Cobb salad, but in a casserole with delicious pasta.
I used low-FODMAP infused oils for the garlic and onion flavor, and lactose-free sour cream to give it that salad dressing ‘tang’. Best of all, the homemade flavor of real cream, bacon, and fresh chicken is incredible. No canned soup, jarred sauce, or packet mixes here.
You are going to love this low-FODMAP Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole better than any ones you have made before.
Note: The low-FODMAP diet is NOT a dairy-free, gluten-free, or calorie-restricted diet to lose weight. You can enjoy foods like low-FODMAP Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole in moderation. Just be aware that fat can be a gut irritant and flare up IBS as well. If you have trouble digesting high-fat meals, then adjust your consumption to your personal tolerance.
You may also love my:
- Low-FODMAP Everyone’s Favorite Chicken Spaghetti Casserole
- Low-FODMAP 30-Minute Skillet Chicken Cacciatore
- Low-FODMAP Homemade 30-Minute Chicken Marsala
- Low-FODMAP Sheet Pan Broccoli, Cheese and Rice Casserole
- Low-FODMAP Dr. Rachel’s Favorite Tuna Noodle Casserole
- Low-FODMAP 30-Minute Creamy Tuscan Chicken
Or check out over 500 more low-FODMAP recipes on the blog! IBS-friendly.
Be healthy and happy,
Rachel Pauls, MD
Although this recipe has not been lab tested, a single serving should be low-FODMAP based on the ingredients, *using available FODMAP data at time of posting.
*If you are sensitive to high-fat foods, then adjust to your tolerance
*FODMAP Fact regarding cheese and FODMAPs: Monash lists a serving size for cheddar and mozzarella cheeses at 40g. This is not because there is excess lactose (FODMAP) in higher amounts, but rather, due to their adherence to Australian nutritional guidelines. The amount of cheese that remains a low-FODMAP serving is up to 462g, per FODMAP Friendly. Therefore, this recipe is compliant with the Elimination Phase of the FODMAP diet
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 min
Cook + Bake time: 45 min
Total time: 1H
Equipment: 2.5 quart baking pan or casserole dish (9 X 9 inch) or (11 X 7 inch); large skillet, large saucepan for boiling pasta, and medium saucepan for LF Alfredo sauce
Ingredients:
- 6 slices uncooked bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts, cut into 1-inch chunks
- I used breasts
- 2 tablespoons onion or shallot infused olive oil; divided
- Infused oils will not absorb the FODMAPs, so you can enjoy these without concern for your IBS! See my low-FODMAP Top 11 Tips for more know-how!
- 1/2 teaspoon dried chives
- 1/8 teaspoon dried dill weed
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 8 ounces low-FODMAP, GF rotini pasta or elbow macaroni
- See my low-FODMAP Grocery Shopping List for some top brands
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 cup (100g) shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 cup (35g) shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, or green scallion tips
- Baking spray
For the low-FODMAP ‘Alfredo’ Sauce:
- 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) garlic infused oil
- 1 cup heavy cream (add 1/4 cup if you like a lot of sauce)
- 1/4 cup is one low-FODMAP serving
- For a lighter option you can sub lactose-free versions of half and half or whole milk for some of the cream
- 1/3 cup lactose-free sour cream, strained
- 1/4 cup (30g) freshly grated Parmesan
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray your baking dish with baking spray
- Set up one large skillet, one pot for pasta, and one saucepan for Alfredo
- While making the sauce and chicken, cook LF, GF pasta according to package instructions until soft, drain well and toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- Since GF pastas are different from wheat based pastas, experiment with your brand. Those with corn and rice-flour blends are hardier than rice-flour only varieties. I find my rotini have a drier, chewy texture in the dish if I don’t boil them long enough at this stage
- Prepare the low-FODMAP alfredo:
- Place garlic infused oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat
- When warmed, gradually whisk in heavy cream and lactose-free sour cream until well incorporated
- Next, stir in the Parmesan and simmer until slightly thickened
- Season with salt and pepper, then remove from heat and set aside for later
- Heat a larger skillet over medium-high heat (I like cast iron for this part)
- Set up a large plate with paper towels for your cooked bacon
- Add bacon pieces and cook until brown and crispy, about 10 minutes, then transfer to your paper towel lined plate
- You can drain the bacon grease, or leave it in the skillet
- While cooking, in a gallon size resealable bag, put 1 tablespoon onion infused oil and your seasonings (chives, dill, parsley, salt and pepper) and massage these together in the bag
- Toss your chicken cubes with the oil/seasoning mixture, tipping bag to coat thoroughly
- Place your second tablespoon onion infused oil, if needed, in the skillet to warm over medium, then transfer the chicken pieces to the skillet
- Cook chicken, flipping once, until cooked through and lightly browned, about 4 minutes on each side
- Place cooked chicken on the plate with the bacon, but do not mix them together
- Add pasta to the prepared baking dish and layer with chicken and alfredo sauce
- Sprinkle top with the 2 cheeses and bacon pieces, then scallion tips or chives
- Place into oven and bake until bubbly and heated through, about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve immediately
Comment/Review Below
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14 Comments
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Could I use coconut cream in place of the heavy cream in this recipe? Thanks for any info! I would love to try this recipe.
Hi Lindsey,
Thanks for the question. Canned coconut cream is low-FODMAP in 1/4 cup servings. So that would work.
Are you trying to cut down dairy? Just curious if you are also changing the cheese that the recipe calls for?
Good luck!
Thanks so much for the reply. I’m actually lactose intolerant. So the cheese doesn’t bother me in normal amounts but my body doesn’t handle the cream very well! It’s interesting how I can’t have milk, even lactose free milk actually. But I can eat cheese since its low in lactose. It even confuses me some days lol!
Brand new to low FODMAP
My husband has ulcerative colitis nutritionist told us to look up low FODMAP foods and recipes and they should be okay. We are at the faaf stage of figuring out what can be had. The answer is absolutely not this. There was way too much grease from the processed meat. Mozzarella is not a hard cheese. Found that out later that he should only be having hard cheeses.
Also found out at the second appointment that processed meat will trigger almost everyone with uc.
This comes out incredibly greasy.
Me on a non-restrictive diet. Thought it was delicious. Could feel the grease through my pores but it was yummy…
Do not recommend this to anyone who has any issues with IBS IBD or UC
Hi there,
Glad you enjoyed the flavor of the recipe!
Sorry your husband did not tolerate the meal, but perhaps your dietitian/medical providers should have been more directed in their counseling to you. As stated in the recipe, mozzarella is low-FODMAP in the serving size noted above; also one SHOULD adjust for personal tolerance if high fat food is a trigger for their gut. Fat is NOT bothersome for everyone with IBS, and the recipe is low-FODMAP. We do not purport to supply recipes tailored to those with UC or other digestive disorders with different specifications. If you need a lower fat recipe, we suggest our low-FODMAP Seasoned Fish on Parchment and low-FODMAP Zesty Grilled Lime Chicken. Good luck in your journey towards wellness for your husband!
shaking my head
It says right on the recipe to avoid if fat is a trigger. Why on earth would you make this for your husband when he is just starting a treatment diet? Are you really that dense?
It’s hardly Dr R’s fault that your husband can’t have that cheese- the cheese in the recipe is fine for me and most people on FODMAP.
Realize that having free recipes like this that taste great are something to be grateful for and not bash the creators just cuz you failed to read your diet right.
Next time, look before you leap.
Shocking that a recipe with oil, cheese, and bacon tastes rich.
I happen to love this casserole.
Thank you for this supportive comment! We appreciate your stars for the recipe too 🙂
I have IBS-D, I’m lactose intolerant, and im not worried about this recipe at all. I did keto for 10 months and it actually helped my gut, but I was nervous health wise to keep doing it. Fodmaps seem to be my problem, not fats. Careful with the blanket statements.
Love hearing this! Thank you so much!
love!
I’ve made this and it’s sooooo good! I will continue to make it long after I’m done eating a low fodmap diet!! Delicious!
Thank you so much for your comments! We love hearing feedback like this!!
I have a very low tolerance for lactose. Can I use all LF half and half and leave out the heavy cream altogether? I wish I could find LF heavy cream.
That’s what I did. I added a little xanthan gum to thicken it. Delicious!
Hi there, thanks for the question.
You could definitely use all half-and-half, it will just be a bit less creamy.
Also, as a tip for you, there are products that can be added to milk products like cream to make them ‘lactose-free’. You just have to have the foresight to use them 24 hours in advance and leave the product refrigerated. Some options include include Lacteez and Milkaid. You may want to check those out!
Stay in touch 🙂