One-Pan Chicken Cabbage Casserole

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Cabbage chicken casserole is an easy, healthy, and delicious bake you didn't know you needed in your life. It's naturally low-carb, satisfying, and incredibly flavorful. Thanks to chicken, cottage cheese, and eggs, this baked chicken and cabbage dish is packed with protein. It's a perfect solution for busy weeknight dinners. Make it super easy and use leftover shredded chicken from another recipe and bagged coleslaw for cabbage.

chicken cabbage bake on a white plate with green pan in the background.

Say hello to your new favorite dinner. This cabbage chicken casserole is an easy, healthy, and flavorful bake, that's naturally low-carb and high in protein. And the best part? It takes leftover chicken and transforms it into a culinary masterpiece that will satisfy and nourish you. Sign.me.up.

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Recipe Overview
Ingredients for Baked Chicken and Cabbage
How to Make Chicken Cabbage Bake
Helpful Tips for Baked Chicken & Cabbage
Serving Suggestions
Frequently Asked Questions
Printable Recipe

Recipe Overview

Prep and Cook Time: 10 minutes to prep and 35 minutes to bake
Cooking Method: Oven-baked
Dietary Info: GAPS, Low-Carb, Keto, Primal, Ancestral diet
Tools Needed: sharp knife, cutting board, square casserole dish, and mixing bowl
Skill Level: Easy

What is an ancestral diet? Read my post on what nourishing foods are based on the traditional dietary principles of the Weston A. Price Foundation.

Reasons to Love this Chicken Cabbage Casserole

The beauty of this recipe is that it uses leftover roast chicken meat. Be it rotisserie chicken or grilled chicken - any poultry meat will work here. Even your sad flattened turkey leftovers will work because the flavor is in the cabbage layer and the cheese mixture.

But let's be real: leftover chicken is often the equivalent of a soggy handshake. Unappealing and dare I say it, unpalatable to eat. Sure, it's mouthwatering and delicious and perfectly juicy the day of cooking but beyond day two, I'm scrambling for ways to salvage it. (Side note: it's also why you won't see it "meal prepping" chicken.) Whether it's in white chicken chili or okroshka, giving cooked chicken a makeover is my superpower.

Now, let's talk about the cabbage. This cruciferous vegetable is a great low-carb staple. It's versatile, delicious, and easy on the wallet. And if you haven't noticed by now, we are big cabbage fans. We have everything from good ol' raw sauerkraut to buttered cabbage to borsch and zesty cucumber cabbage salad.

This casserole brings everything together. Layered seasoned cabbage and leftover chicken are smothered with a cheesy mixture that gives these two humble kitchen staples new life.

It's a fantastic one-pan meal that's quick to prepare, delicious to eat, and helps you make sure that no tasty morsel of yesterday's chicken goes to waste.

Ingredients for Baked Chicken and Cabbage

ingredients for cabbage chicken casserole.

Chicken: Use whatever cooked chicken you have on hand. Leftover rotisserie chicken, roast chicken, grilled chicken, shredded chicken - anything will work here.
Cabbage: Shredded green cabbage, also referred to as white cabbage, has a hashbrown-like texture that makes this casserole total comfort food. It's a delicious low-carb option that pairs excellently with chicken.
Cheese mixture: A whisked mixture of cottage cheese, sour cream, eggs, and Swiss cheese cumulatively binds this casserole together and adds flavor and moisture. The addition of cottage cheese makes this more filling (yay for protein!), delicious, and nutritious. I prefer large curds but use whatever is available to you.
Seasonings: I like to keep it simple with onion powder, garlic powder, and sea salt. And we're only seasoning the cabbage since the other ingredients are plenty flavorful.
Finishing touches: Everything is better with bacon, am I right? I like to incorporate half of bacon bits into the cheesy mixture and top the casserole with the remaining bacon crumbles. Fresh parsley is also a good touch. It adds a pop of bright green and herby note. In a pinch, you can use fresh parsley substitute.

graphic of fork and spoon connected in a plant.

Make it Nutrient-Dense!

Use pastured chicken from your local farmer. If you don't have access to farmer's markets, I recommend giving Wild Pastures a shot. We've been loving their meats and are a great source for chicken and bacon for this recipe. Also, make sure your dairy is equally good. I love Good Culture cottage cheese and sour cream and use grass-fed cheeses.

chicken cabbage casserole in a green casserole dish with spatula.

How to Make Chicken Cabbage Bake

The complete printable recipe is below in the recipe card for your convenience. Follow these simple step-by-step instructions for the best results.

shredded cabbage in a white baking dish with seasonings on top.

Step 1. Toss

In a casserole dish, place shredded cabbage. Season with onion powder, garlic powder, and salt. Toss to combine and spread evenly across the dish.

shredded cabbage and shredded chicken in a white baking pan.

Step 2. Instructions

Add shredded or cubed chicken over the cabbage, spreading evenly across.

eggs and cottage cheese mixture with a whisk in a clear bowl.

Step 3. Whisk

In a medium bowl, whisk eggs. Add cottage cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and most of the parsley. Add bacon bits, if desired. Stir to combine.

cabbage bake with bacon bits and shredded cheese on top.

Step 4. Bake

Pour the cheese mixture evenly over the cabbage and chicken. Use the back of the spoon to evenly distribute. Top with additional cheese and bacon. Bake until set.

Helpful Tips for Baked Chicken & Cabbage

Keep it uncovered - Because cabbage releases lots of natural juices during cooking, don't be tempted to cover the baking dish. You want all the liquid to evaporate.
Use a coleslaw mix - Here's an easy time-saving tip: use a coleslaw mix instead of fresh cabbage. But be forewarned: the texture won't be the same. When you slice or shred your own cabbage you can get nice and fine.
Shred your own cheese - Storebought shredded cheeses have anti-caking agents that can affect the melting quality (and they're just plain gross). It's worthwhile shredding your own cheese.
Broil last few minutes - To get that browned top, turn the oven to broil but watch it carefully so it doesn't burn.

Essential Cabbage Casserole Tools

Here's what you'll need to make this chicken cabbage casserole:

Mandolin Slicer: For slicing your cabbage or simply use a sharp chef's knife.
Mixing Bowls: I've been using this glass set for years and love it!
Square Casserole Dish: This one comes with a lid and is handy for after-cooking.
Covered Cast Iron Skillet: Great to reheat for next day's lunch.

chicken casserole on a white plate with fork on the side.

Serving Suggestions

We love serving this baked chicken and cabbage as the main course. It comfortably serves 4-6 people and has the perfect ratio of veggies, protein, and healthy fats. However, it also makes an excellent side dish. Here are some delicious suggestions to serve it with:

Side dish: Serve this with roasted carrots and garlic, Instant Pot buckwheat, or creamed mushrooms.

Fresh salads: Since there's lots of cabbage in this recipe, I like to stick to simple salads like cucumber dill salad or cucumber tomato and onion salad where the flavors won't compete with the casserole.

Condiments: Don't forget to include a small serving of ferments like fermented jalapenos for a spicy kick or fermented cherry tomatoes for some tang.

Make it a complete meal!
This was our dinner few weeks ago, featuring the Chicken Cabbage Casserole. Make it yours this week!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use red cabbage in this recipe?

You can use red or purple cabbage if that's all you have. But similarly to making red cabbage sauerkraut, it will change the color of your finished dish to purple. The flavor and texture should be very similar, however.

How long does this last in the refrigerator?

This casserole can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 4 days. These glass snap containers are perfect for leftovers. My favorite way to reheat it is in a toaster oven, convection oven, or air fryer because it creates nice crispy edges. You can also reheat in a covered cast iron skillet on medium-high heat for 4-6 minutes.

Can I freeze this cabbage chicken casserole?

You can freeze this for up to 3 months, but keep in mind that the texture may be more watery when thawed. I recommend reheating it from frozen instead of thawing it first.

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Did you make this Baked Chicken and Cabbage? Please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ recipe rating in the recipe card below and leave a review in the comments. Thank you!💚

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