Southern Keto Chicken & Dressing – Lowcarb Thanksgiving Stuffing
This is one of the most popular original recipes on my low carb YouTube channel, and perhaps the low carb recipe remake I’m most proud of. Cornbread Dressing (some folks also call it Chicken & Dressing) is a staple of Southern holiday tables. It’s not cooked inside a turkey, its baked in a casserole dish and served alongside all the traditional holiday favorites. (And I don’t just mean Thanksgiving. In my family, cornbread dressing is served at any large gathering: Easter, Christmas, Birthdays, Funerals, Reunions – you name it. It’s always a welcome addition!)
I took my family’s traditional cornbread chicken and dressing recipe that’s made with real cornmeal and wheat flour, and made smart substitutions with low carb and keto-friendly substitutes. I think this is about as close as it gets to “real” dressing.
Don’t let the long recipe scare you! Yes, there are a few steps, but it’s no different than making traditional cornbread dressing.
The steps are simple:
- Boil a chicken (to get shredded chicken and chicken broth).
- Bake some low carb “cornbread.”
- Sauté the aromatics (onions, celery, etc.).
- Assemble the dressing in a casserole dish and bake.
- Wallow in the deliciousness!
Nutrition Facts
8 servings per container
- Amount Per ServingCalories498
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 39.8g 60%
- Total Carbohydrate 11.3g 4%
- Dietary Fiber 4.4g 16%
- Protein 25.3g 50%
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Made 1/4 recipe as a test to see what I thought. It is DELICIOUS. I didn’t include the chicken and used Tone Chicken base instead of boiling a chicken. Moist and leftovers are just as tasty. This will be on our Thanksgiving menu for 2021. Thanks so much for a real Southern dressing.
I Love hearing this! Thank you so much, Denise!
Can the dressing be assembled the day before and cooked the next day?
That’s pretty normal for “regular” dressing. But for this, I’d probably cook each of the elements (chicken, broth, cornbread, aromatics) the day before and refrigerate them. Then assemble them just before baking.
Hi Wes, In your video you stress baking *soda* but in the recipe text it says baking *powder* Was that a mistake or an update?
Thank you!
Good eye! I recently updated the recipe. There was no acid in the recipe to interact with the baking soda, which could create a slight metallic taste. Baking POWDER has the acid included, so it rises beautifully without the metallic taste. So, if you have baking powder, use it instead. Happy Thanksgiving! 🙂
AWESOME! Thank you so much!
LOVE your videos!
p.s. I started the Keto way of eating in 2016 – I’ve lost 135 pounds – almost back to ‘fightin’ size’ 😉
OMGosh! CONGRATULATIONS, Natalie! 💜💜
UPDATE – I made this recipe for Thanksgiving. I made a couple of changes: I used turkey thighs to make the broth/meat instead of the chicken, and added sage because, well… SAGE. 😉
OH. MY. GOODNESS.
This was SO good! The taste & texture hit the spot for this li’l Southern Belle! BONUS POINTS: I’m one of those people that think there’s nothing better than cold leftover dressing after the holiday. This recipe has the same taste, texture, mouth-feel – all the things that make a keto/low-carb recipe a viable replacement – of my old family recipe for dressing! WINNER! WINNER! WINNER!
…I’m planning to make it again just to have the cold leftovers LOL
This makes me so happy to hear! Thanks for the update, Natalie!
Hi Wes, What brand of whey protein is best to use.
I love this recipe. I would have to add the sage but I respect your different likes.
Keep up the good work. We love you.
Thanks for the kind words, Judith! I usually use Unflavored IsoPure brand, but there are more affordable options in stores like WalMart. Just make sure it’s unflavored and not vanilla or chocolate!
Hi Wes! Loving your channel. I’m not Keto, but trying to keep the carb count in check. Question about the aromatics section. I neither like celery nor onions and was wondering if this step is necessary. Would reducing the stock alone be sufficient? We are a “sage in our dressing” house, so I’m not worried about any lack of flavor
Just made this and I’m so glad I did. Turned out so delicious and seriously tastes just like typical southern dressing without the carbs. If you need a low carb dressing for sugar/gluten-sensitve family members…. this is it! Thank you Wes for sharing your great recipe!
FYI…I added the 2 tsp optional rubbed sage and also 1/4 tsp thyme to season the cornbread crumbles before adding the broth (and added one more egg too just in case as a southerner, ha) but wow…so yummy!
This is so great for Keto/gluten-free dressing. I added the 2 tsp optional rubbed sage and also 1/4 tsp thyme to season the cornbread crumbles before adding the broth (and added one more egg too just in case … as a southerner, ha) but wow…tastes just like southern dressing, so yummy! Thank you Wes for sharing this low carb alternative recipe…delish! Love.
I don not have the oat fiber. Is there a substitution I can use or just 1/4 cup more almond flour?
Yes, you can substitute more almond flour in place of the oat fiber.