• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • meet the team
  • blogger resources
  • Contact Me
My Account
Member Dashboard
40 Aprons Premium (Ad Free!)

40 Aprons

Delicious, Healthy-ish Meals for the Whole Family

  • All Recipes
  • Course
    • Appetizers
    • Cooking Basics
    • Breakfast
    • Condiments
    • Dessert
    • Main Course
    • Meal Prep
    • Side Dishes
    • Soups
  • Method
    • Air Fryer
    • Baking
    • Crockpot
    • Grilling
    • Instant Pot
    • Sous Vide
  • Dietary Needs
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Keto
    • Low Carb
    • Paleo
    • Vegan
    • Vegetarian
    • Whole30
  • Cuisine
    • American
    • Asian
    • Indian
    • Italian
    • Mediterranean
    • Mexican & Latin
    • Southern
Home Blog Course Main Course

Paleo Buffalo Chicken Casserole with Ranch and Cauliflower Rice (Whole30, Low Carb)

Cheryl Malik
Cheryl Malik Posted: 08/15/18 Updated: 05/15/22
5
/5
51 Comments
Jump to Recipe
DF Dairy Free GF Gluten Free K Keto LC Low Carb P Paleo 30 Whole30

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

Paleo Buffalo Chicken Casserole with Ranch and Cauliflower Rice (Whole30, Low Carb) Pinterest image

This creamy paleo buffalo chicken casserole with ranch and cauliflower rice is the ultimate paleo buffalo chicken casserole! With a super creamy buffalo-ranch sauce, this Whole30 and keto friendly dinner recipe comes together super easily and is a quick main course you’ll fall in love with.

Paleo buffalo chicken casserole in a white dish with celery stalks to the side

There’s one tried-and-true method of determining whether my, let’s face it, relatively stoic husband is into a recipe: he goes back for seconds. And thirds.

If I hadn’t basically shamed him into not eating the entire paleo buffalo chicken casserole recipe, he’d have done just that: eaten the whole entire baker of the stuff. The craziest part? Even my toddler liked it! Well, if I’m being upfront about it: my toddler liked it after he picked off the parsley garnish. That kid is living his best life, and his best life does not include any green foods. I pick my battles.

And honestly? I don’t blame them.

Paleo buffalo chicken casserole on a plate with salad and baking dish in the back

What makes this recipe is so good:

  • The buffalo-ranch sauce is super, super creamy and luxurious.
  • I use just the right amount of hot sauce and ranch dressing so neither is overpowering but just right.
  • This paleo buffalo chicken casserole uses frozen cauliflower rice and cooked chicken, meaning you can prepare it in just a few minutes.
  • It’s totally Whole30 approved and low carb (only 9 net!), thanks to the cauliflower rice.

Why you’ll love it

Hello Thrive Market.

When it comes to weeknight dinners, I’m all about the quick and easy but still flavorful. I’d much rather follow a couple extra steps in a recipe than serve up a boring, bland dinner, but that magical combination of packed with flavor and oh so easy? That’s the sweet spot, and this paleo buffalo chicken casserole is totally in it.

Paleo buffalo chicken casserole in a white dish with celery stalks to the side

It uses pre-cooked chicken, whether from a rotisserie chicken (Make sure you get a compliant chicken if you’re on a Whole30!), leftovers, or a couple extra chicken breasts you baked up during Sunday meal prep. We stir that together with pre-riced cauliflower rice, though you can totally use cauliflower rice you make at home. And the sauce, though it has 5 ingredients, all uses Whole30 ingredients that are super easy to have delivered to your doorstep.

Yep. That’s my best life.

I’ve recently fallen madly in love with Thrive Market, and I firmly believe it’s an absolute must on any Whole30 or keto/low carb diet. I’d toyed with the idea of signing up for way too long, but when I finally took the plunge, I seriously spent an hour perusing their paleo and Whole30 selections with my jaw dropped. Here’s why:

  • Their mission to make healthy living easy and affordable for everyone is dead on: I can shop for my favorite healthy grocery items at killer prices from my couch. In yoga pants. Whilst playing Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots with my toddler.
  • My fave natural, paleo, and Whole30 products are delivered straight to my door, and I never even had to change out of those yoga pants (Though hopefully they’re a different pair than my ordering day yoga pants… but no promises #sodamnpregnant #newbornlife).
  •  The prices are fantastic, at 25-50% below traditional retail prices, and the selection is everything I usually have to make a special trip to the natural market in town for! I stock up on my pantry staples from Thrive Market because the prices just seriously cannot be beat! And I’ll talk to literally anyone about it. Seriously, I’ll corner you at the grocery store and tell you you’re spending $3 too much on that coconut oil. Don’t make me corner you at the grocery store.
  • Something else I just love about Thrive: their Thrive Gives program gives low-income families, teachers, and veteran access to natural, organic, and non-GMO foods and products, often for the first time. I live in a city with a major income disparity and too many food deserts, so this hits home for me. And I have personal friends who have benefitted from Thrive Gives, thinking they’d never be able to afford natural and organic products… until then. Just so much love for that.

And here’s how Thrive Market makes this paleo buffalo chicken casserole recipe so much easier:

Add these to your cart and you’re set! Dinner on the table in 35 minutes:

Whole30 mayonnaise, Whole30 ranch dressing, and coconut cream from Thrive Market

Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil Mayo | Primal Kitchen Vegan Ranch | Native Forest Organic Coconut Cream

Seriously, if you’re on a Whole30, or if you eat a paleo, keto, or otherwise healthy diet, you’ve got to check out Thrive Market. Easier + cheaper = super win.

Variations

  • If you’re not on a Whole30, try blue cheese dressing in place of the ranch!
  • Serve this paleo buffalo chicken casserole with celery sticks or grain-free chips as a creamy, spicy dip.
  • Increase the hot sauce by about 1-2 tablespoons for a spicier sauce.

Tips

  • Use frozen cauliflower rice to make this paleo buffalo chicken casserole even easier.
  • If you don’t have pre-made Whole30 ranch dressing on hand, make my Whole30 dump ranch dressing recipe.
  • Use only the solid white part of the can of coconut milk or cream. Reserve the rest for a smoothie or other use.
Paleo buffalo chicken casserole in a white dish with celery stalks and hot sauce in the background

How to make it

Ready for this? Get your notepad, girl.

Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl.

Stir together all the paleo buffalo chicken casserole ingredients together in a large bowl, then pour sauce over and toss to coat.

Paleo buffalo chicken casserole in a white dish with celery stalks to the side

Bake for 30 minutes at 350º. DONE. Hero.

Paleo buffalo chicken casserole on a plate with salad and baking dish in the back

Other Recipes You’ll Love:

  • Buffalo Chicken Ranch Whole30 Meal Prep
  • Whole30 Dump Ranch Dressing Recipe
  • Whole30 Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers
  • Egg Roll in a Bowl with Creamy Chili Sauce
  • Paleo Chinese Chicken Salad (Whole30)
  • Whole30 Fried Chicken and Mashed Potato Bowl with Gravy

Did you make and love this recipe? Give it your review below! ? And make sure to share your creations by tagging me on Instagram!

Hey – you’ve made it this far, so now we’re basically best friends! If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below. Make sure you follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok, and Facebook, too!

Paleo buffalo chicken casserole in a white dish with celery stalks to the side
5 from 19 votes

Paleo Buffalo Chicken Casserole with Ranch and Cauliflower Rice (Whole30, Low Carb)

Prep:5 minutes
Cook:30 minutes
Total:35 minutes
A creamy paleo buffalo chicken casserole with ranch dressing and cauliflower rice that’s so easy to make for a healthy weeknight dinner. With a super creamy buffalo-ranch sauce, it’s so filling, too. Whole30, low carb, keto friendly.
Print Save Saved! Click Here to Remove Ads
4 people

Ingredients

  • 4 cups chicken cooked, diced or shredded
  • 3 cups cauliflower rice preferably pre-riced and frozen*
  • 1 cup green onions sliced, plus more for garnish, about 4 total

Creamy Buffalo Ranch Sauce

  • 1/2 cup Whole30 mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup Whole30 ranch dressing plus 2 tablespoons if necessary to coat chicken-rice mixture
  • 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons coconut cream only the solid white part from a can of coconut milk or cream
  • 1/2 cup hot sauce
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2-1 teaspoon salt

To Serve

  • celery sticks
  • green onions sliced
  • fresh parsley chopped
  • ranch dressing

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350º F.
  • Combine chicken, cauliflower rice, and 1 cup green onions in a large bowl. In a medium bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients. Pour over chicken-rice mixture and toss to coat well. Transfer to a 9×9″ baking dish.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until bubbly. Garnish with more ranch dressing, green onions, and freshly chopped parsley. Serve with celery sticks, if desired.

Notes

If you use frozen cauliflower rice, there’s no need to thaw before assembly or baking.

Video

Nutrition Information

Calories: 660kcal, Carbohydrates: 12g, Protein: 25g, Fat: 57g, Saturated Fat: 16g, Cholesterol: 103mg, Sodium: 1627mg, Potassium: 780mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 475IU, Vitamin C: 88.2mg, Calcium: 64mg, Iron: 2.8mg, Net Carbs: 9g

Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.

 

Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.

 

To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.

Did you make this recipe?

Tag @40aprons on social and be sure to leave a review on the blog post!

Rate Recipe Tag Me on Instagram
Cheryl Malik

Meet Cheryl Malik

Cheryl Malik is the recipe developer, writer, and photographer behind the healthy, flavorful, family friendly recipes at 40 Aprons. She's been a blogger for 10+ years and is known for her delicious recipes and detailed recipe instructions. Cheryl is a mom of three who lives in Memphis, TN.

Read more...

You may also like...

  • Buffalo chicken stuffed sweet potatoes with ranch and celery sticks
    Healthy Creamy Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Ranch (Whole30, Paleo)
  • Buffalo Sauce
  • Whole30 chicken bacon ranch poppers with Whole30 dump ranch dressing
    Whole30 Chicken Bacon Ranch Poppers (Paleo)

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Have a question? Submit your question or comment below.

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Jessica says

    Posted on 9/18/20 at 4:50 pm

    If I use fresh cauliflower, how should I treat it after I rice it in my food processor? I don’t need to cook it first do I?

    Reply
    • Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 11/6/20 at 11:26 am

      Nope! 🙂 It’s good to go in with the other ingredients.5 stars

      Reply
  2. Jenn says

    Posted on 9/14/20 at 1:01 pm

    Definitely doubling and freezing. Love this! Do I cook it before freezing? Any freezing tips?5 stars

    Reply
    • Amelia Camurati says

      Posted on 9/18/20 at 12:07 pm

      Let it cool completely and keep it in a container with as little air as possible, but otherwise this is a great recipe to freeze!

      Reply
  3. Zach says

    Posted on 7/6/20 at 6:30 pm

    SO good! 100% making it into my normal rotation. Mine was just a tad bit too soupy. What do you think I could do to firm it up? Used frozen cauli rice, so maybe unfrozen will be less watery? Regardless it was delish as is thank you!

    Reply
    • Amelia Camurati says

      Posted on 8/13/20 at 11:31 am

      I would recommend thawing the “rice” first because the excess water as it thaws will make it slightly more wet than it should be. Glad you loved it anyway!

      Reply
  4. Melissa says

    Posted on 6/3/20 at 5:23 pm

    I have made this as an appetizer for company 3 times now in the last 2 weeks and the 4th is in the oven as I type. It is soooo delicious! We didn’t make any adjustments and it’s just as good or better the 2nd day!!!5 stars

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 6/4/20 at 12:10 pm

      I’m so glad you love it!!5 stars

      Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 6/4/20 at 1:09 pm

      I’m SO glad you love it!

      Reply
  5. Raven says

    Posted on 2/27/20 at 12:15 pm

    How did you prepare the chicken? Did you season it at all?

    Reply
    • Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 2/25/21 at 9:31 am

      We like to season it with some salt and pepper. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  6. Abby A Carr says

    Posted on 2/5/20 at 11:00 am

    What kind of hot sauce did everyone use?

    Reply
  7. Erin says

    Posted on 1/31/20 at 8:54 am

    Could i use ground chicken instead of chicken breast?

    Reply
    • Savannah | 40 Aprons Team says

      Posted on 2/28/21 at 8:02 pm

      Sure!5 stars

      Reply
  8. madison says

    Posted on 1/23/20 at 5:34 pm

    I only have a 9×13 pan, how should i vary the cook time?
    Thank you! so excited to make and eat this!

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 1/24/20 at 10:40 am

      Should be fine. 🙂5 stars

      Reply
  9. Krissie says

    Posted on 9/21/19 at 7:03 pm

    Loved this recipe! EXTREMELY EASY. We used white onion instead of green, and flavor was amazing. My husband said even after Whole30 he would want to make this for a tailgate, so you know that’s a good sign. I would love to find a way to get a little more crunch with the Paleo type of casseroles. We ended up cooking the full 30 minutes and broiled for 3 and that crunched things up a bit, but maybe we will try to find a way to crunch the cauliflower rice. I hate cauliflower but I couldn’t even taste it in this recipe. Five stars!5 stars

    Reply
    • Cheryl MalikCheryl Malik says

      Posted on 9/23/19 at 12:14 pm

      Great!

      Reply
  10. Carol W. says

    Posted on 8/21/19 at 11:33 am

    Is there anything you would recommend to replace the buffalo sauce in this and all of your other recipes?? Plain tomato sauce perhaps?? No one in this family has the love of hot sauce! Thanks for any help.

    Reply
Older Comments
Newer Comments

Primary Sidebar

What’s Popular?

Reusable meal prep trays with sweet potato, scrambled eggs, and sausage for a whole30 breakfast

Whole30 Breakfast Meal Prep

Crispy, golden air fryer tater tots in a large white serving bowl next to a small ramekin of bright red ketchup.

Air Fryer Tater Tots

Overhead view of marry me chicken in a cast iron skillet

Marry Me Chicken (Chicken in a Sun Dried Tomato Cream Sauce)

Instant pot chicken and rice in a bowl

Dreamy Instant Pot Chicken and Rice

In Season

Whole30 In-n-Out burgers close up

Whole30 Burgers – Burger Joint Style (Paleo, Low Carb)

Overhead photo of keto chicken tortilla soup in a rustic bowl

Keto Chicken Tortilla Soup (Low Carb, Gluten Free)

Air fryer chicken wings on a platter with sauce

Crispy Air Fryer Chicken Wings in Buffalo Sauce

Instant pot frozen chicken breast - easy chicken recipes for dinners with few ingredients

Instant Pot Frozen Chicken Breast

As seen on:

More Goodies + NO Ads!

Become a 40 Aprons Premium Member!

All the 40 Aprons content you love - now even better.

  • Member-Exclusive Recipes
  • Meal Plans & Grocery Lists
  • eBooks
  • NO ADS!
Join now

Privacy Policy

Accessibility

Disclaimers

Contact

© 2023 40 Aprons
Site Credits Designed by Melissa Rose Design Developed by Once Coupled
Back to Top
23974 shares