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Ranch Pork Chops with Broccoli Salad [Easy Keto]

by Noline

If you are one of the many mothers who cook a low carb meal for yourself and then cook a "normal" meal for your family, I sympathize.

I hope you will find that your kids will enjoy this recipe. You can add some potatoes into the oven with the pork chops if you are concerned that this will not be enough food for growing teens. For another recipe that your kids will love try this stuffed chicken breast recipe.

To prepare this ranch pork chops with broccoli salad recipe, you'll first need the ranch seasoning. You can make it yourself as per the recipe below or you can buy a gluten free ranch flavoring like this one.

Ranch Seasoning

What you need

1 table spoon of dried organic dill weed
3 table spoons of organic dried parsley
2 teaspoons of organic garlic powder
2 teaspoons of organic onion powder
2 teaspoons of sea salt
1/2 a teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper

What you do

Mix together and store in an airtight container.

Tip

Experiment with the combination until you get the flavor that works best for you.

Now, let's get on with preparing our pork chops...

Ranch Pork Chops Recipe

What you need

4 bone-in pork chops
2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning
2 tablespoons of ghee or butter
More salt and pepper if needed

Tips

The seasoning includes salt and pepper, so you don't need to add more. If you do like more salt, add it to the chops just before you fry them in the skillet to seal the meat before roasting.
This recipe is for a thick 1 inch chop. If you prefer your pork chops to be thinner, then reduce the roasting time to roughly 6 minutes per side.
The best way to make sure you don't overcook your chops is to use a thermometer which you want to insert into the thickest part of the pork chop.
For a rare to medium chop, the reading should be 145 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees for a medium chop.

What you do

Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Rub each chop with 1/2 a tablespoon of the ranch seasoning until completely coated.
Let it rest for 10 to 15 minutes.
Add butter to a non-stick skillet and warm over medium heat.
Add the seasoned pork chops to the warmed skillet and sear the chops on both sides until they are brown. (About 2 1/2 minutes on each side.)
Transfer the browned pork chops onto the baking sheet.
Place it into the heated oven and roast the chops on one side for 8 minutes.
Turn over and roast for another 8 minutes.
Remove from oven and let it rest for a few minutes.
Serve with the broccoli salad that was made the previous evening or if this is too much pork with the sesame kale.

This recipe is enough for 4 servings.

This salad with its complex flavors is best prepared in advance. I make it the night before, but you can also make a batch on the weekend as it will last in the fridge for a few days. The longer you leave it the more the flavors will develop.

Broccoli Salad

What you need - Dressing

3/4 cup of full-fat plain Greek yogurt
2 table spoons of fresh lemon juice
1 table spoon of fresh lemon zest
A pinch of stevia powder
Himalayan or sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

What you need - Broccoli salad

2 large heads of fresh broccoli broken into florets
6 slices of crispy cooked bacon, crumbled into small pieces
1/3 cup of unsalted and toasted pumpkin seeds
1/2 a small red onion cut into thin slices
1/4 cup of freshly chopped parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

Tip

I like to roast my vegetables for a more intense flavor. It is easiest to microwave the broccoli for 2 to 3 minutes and then to roast for about 20 minutes in a preheated oven.

What you do

First make the dressing by combining yogurt, juice, zest and stevia in a small bowl.
Season with salt and pepper and store in the refrigerator until needed.
To cook the broccoli, add the florets into a large, microwave-safe dish with 2 to 3 tablespoons of water.
Cover the dish and microwave the broccoli on high for 2 to 3 minutes.
Check the broccoli for tenderness and microwave for another 2 to 3 minutes. You want them to be crisp, but tender.
Remove the broccoli and drain the water.
Let the broccoli cool down for about 5 minutes.
Add the broccoli, crumbled bacon, red onion and fresh parsley in a large glass bowl and toss gently.
Add half of the dressing and toss gently until all the ingredients are thoroughly coated with the dressing.
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Return the remaining dressing to the fridge as well.
When ready to serve, sprinkle the toasted pumpkin seeds over the broccoli.
Serve the remainder of the dressing on the side for those who prefer extra dressing.

This recipe is enough for 4 to 6 servings.

There you are, delicious ranch pork chops with broccoli salad for dinner.

More Side Dishes

If you don't want to serve a main and a side dish with pork, then try one of these side dishes...

Garlic Sesame Kale - Fry chopped garlic in your preferred oil. Then add a bunch of kale and saute for a few minutes until wilted. Add some sesame oil, salt and pepper and sesame seeds just before serving and you have a delicious side dish in minutes. You can make this while the pork chops are roasting in the oven.

Or what about these yummy feta stuffed mushrooms. This is another quick recipe that you can finish off whilst the pork chops are in the oven. Watch the video now and then check out the recipe and instructions here.

For lots more side dish ideas, check out these 35 low carb keto side dishes. The dishes include ideas for recipes with cauliflower, Mediterranean veggies, cabbage, mushrooms, green leafy vegetables, other green vegetables and salads.

Please share your favorite keto side dishes with us in the comments below and pin our photo to your ketogenic food boards...

Easy Keto Lunches for Work

by Noline

So you’ve made the decision to follow a ketogenic diet. Well done, I am sure you are already experiencing the benefits of your decision.

If you are finding lunch to be the more difficult of your meals to plan and prepare, then you are not alone.

But don’t worry, with the right planning and preparation it may be easier than you think and with these easy keto lunches for work, your battle may be half way won.

Easy Lunches - Where to Start

Not the morning before work. Plan!

Firstly, what is your situation? Do you go to an office every day where you have a microwave to warm up your food? If this is the case, then lunch is really easy. The first option is probably warmed up leftovers from the night before, but by all means that is not your only option. Most of the recipes shared below is perfect for a delicious, nutritious low carb high fat lunch on the go.

If you don’t have a fixed office with a microwave or means to warm food, then your keto lunch options may not be as vast, but that doesn’t mean the battle is lost.

Salads and sandwiches are probably the easiest option, but let’s put our minds together and see what else we can come up with. I would love to hear your suggestions, so please leave your comments below.

So we agree the morning before work is not the time to start thinking about what you are having for lunch. But there are ways you can speed up prep time and have delicious, healthy and most importantly portable low carb meals at your disposal.

First Things First - Keto Lunch Prep

STOCK UP

Make a shopping list and stock up on all the ingredients you will need for the week.

It is much easier to eat the food your body really needs when you have it on hand to prepare these incredible yummy meals.

PLAN FOR THE WEEK AHEAD

Don’t be rigid about it. Life happens, but at least have an outline of what your week will look like.

If for instance you have a standing dinner for family or friends at your home once a week then you know that the next day you will probably have leftovers to take to work.

Maybe some days you are on the road and not at the office, so your needs will be different.

DO THE BULK OF YOUR PREPARATIONS ON WEEKENDS

When preparing, focus on two areas:

1 - Cut up veggies for salads and store them in air tight containers, ready to be used when you need them.

2 - Precook and freeze your meals for the week. You can marinate and grill meat. You can cook a keto casserole, lasagna or quiche and portion these off just ready to grab on your way to work.

Not sure exactly what you need? Then you may want to have a look at these detailed shopping lists and meal plans.

Now that we agree on how, let's get going with what...

Keto Lunch Recipes and Ideas for Work

Let’s have a look at some lunch ideas that are perfect to carry to work or school and then let’s enjoy some of the best keto lunch recipes I found in each of these categories. And don’t worry I won’t forget about you ketoers who do not have cooking facilities at work.

Portable Keto Lunch Recipes Quick Search

Salads - The Easiest Low Carb Lunches

Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Salad

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

Thai Tuna Salad

Dr Mercola's Lamb and Anchovies Keto Salad Recipe

More Salad Ideas

Sandwiches - The Ultimate Portable Meal

Cauliflower Low Carb Cheese Sandwich

Zucchini Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wrap

Lettuce Wrapped Hamburger

Keto Sandwich Fillings for Work

Ketogenic Bread Ideas and Recipes

Quiches and Pies - The Comfort Food Lunch

French Quiche

Portobello Mushroom and Feta Frittata

Low Carb Spaghetti Bolognese Pie

Easy Taco Pie

Spinach Quiche Cup

Chicken Pot Pie

Dinner for Lunch - The Left Over Bonanza

Essential Skillet Zucchini Lasagna

Low Carb Salmon Fish Cakes

Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs

Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry

Stuffed Chicken Breast

Lamb and Spinach Curry

Salads - The Easiest Low Carb Lunches

Yeah, this must be the easiest low carb lunch idea. I know salad is not always great during winter, but let’s start with them.

I love to pack salads as they are super convenient, doesn’t need to be warmed up and what you add into your salad is only limited by your imagination.

They are also quick to prepare and can be made however you like. Load up with lettuce or baby spinach, then add cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, olives, capers and meats and cheeses of your choice. Leftovers come to mind again.

Add half an avocado and a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon, dried herbs, salt and pepper and you are good to go. I usually pack my dressing in a side container and dress the salad when I am ready to eat.

Here are some of my favorite ketogenic lunch recipes:

Spicy Shrimp and Avocado Salad

I love shrimp and avo and I am not alone. Search shrimp and avocado salad and you will find lots of recipes. Most of them share the main ingredients, which are shrimp, avocado, cucumber with spinach, lettuce and or kale. What makes them all super different though is the dressing.

My favorite recipe is from Tina at Oh Snap Let’s Eat. Tina is a Paleo blogger, but this delicious recipe shows how the two eating styles overlap at times.

I really enjoy a great many of Tina’s recipes, but what I love most about this one is the tahini dressing.

Click here for the recipe and the source for the photo.

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

I love this recipe. It is so not conventional.

You can easily make this the night before and cut in the last ingredients like the avo and cheese just before you eat it.

Just a word of caution - always check labels before adding sources or salad dressings to your foods.

The recipe and photo is from ModernLowCarb.com.

Thai Tuna Salad

I added this salad, because it is so quick and easy to make.

The sesame gives the tuna a rich taste and I love the zing you get from the lime and red onion. If you find the sesame oil too rich, you can also try a little low carb mayonnaise.

If you feel this salad needs to be eaten with a slice of bread, then grab our favorite bread recipe below and go for it. 🙂

Check out the recipe and source for the photo here at Table for Two, where you can enjoy many more of Julie's delicious recipes.

Dr Mercola's Lamb and Anchovies Keto Salad Recipe

I added this recipe, because even though it has more ingredients and sounds somewhat more complicated, it is still an easy lunch option provided that you prepare the ingredients ahead of time.

This salad, like all the ones we share here, is packed with good fats and a good source of protein. What makes Dr Mercola's salad different is that he adds sprouts that has healthy enzymes and fermented vegetables which we should really eat daily.

I love anchovies, but don't eat fish eggs, so I left those out. Personally, I am not very good at following recipes to the tee. Normally, I will adjust them to fit my needs and my palate.

I have been following Dr Mercola for many years now. Whenever I want to understand why something is good or bad, I check out his site. He is a medical doctor and his website is known as one of the best medical/nutritional websites online.

More Salad Ideas

Another idea I like is salads in a mason jar. You can add any ingredients you like. Start with your dressing, add salad vegetables, then protein and lastly green leafy vegetables like spinach or lettuce. When you are ready to enjoy your super fresh lunch, just open the mason jar and "turn the content over" onto a plate.

For more great salad ideas, watch this video by Jolene where she demonstrates how she makes her 7 favorite low carb salads.

These are all easy keto lunches for work. Most salads are perfect lunch food and don't need to be warmed up. This makes them a great option even if you are on the road or work in an environment without heating facilities.

As I come across more interesting salads, I will be sharing them here. So, please check back from time to time or subscribe to our newsletter, if you would like to receive notification when we publish new articles or recipes.

Sandwiches - The Ultimate Portable Meal

Sandwiches - the lunch most of us grew up with. Right now, I have no alternative for peanut butter and jelly, but I am searching and when I find it, I will share it here. 🙂

Sandwiches are super convenient and for many of us they have an emotional pull to childhood memories.

If you are finding it hard to let go of delicious bread based sandwiches, then you need to find some alternatives. Here I share sandwich ideas with all kinds of low carb or substitute bread.

I found delicious "bread" recipes with cauliflower, zucchini, almond flour (yum) and substitutes like lettuce and bun less burgers

Sandwiches are the ultimate portable food. Step 1 is to find or make a suitable low carb bread or non-bread and then fill them up with meats, bacon, tuna, cheese, egg, veggies and even nut butters.

Here are some of my favorite keto sandwich recipes:

Cauliflower Low Carb Cheese Sandwich

This recipe has been around since 2014, but it still remains one of my favorite keto cheese sandwiches.

It takes a bit of work, so you will have to make the "bread" the night before and while you're at it just grill the cheese and sandwich and you'll have a delicious packed lunch ready to run out the door in the morning.

Visit Mike's website for his cauliflower and cheese sandwich recipe.

Zucchini Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Mike from TheIronYou.com may be better known for his cauliflower cheese sandwich above, but I also love this version of his sandwich. With this zucchini invention, he replaced the cauliflower with zucchini.

You will have to try both versions for yourself to decide which you like better. Please share your experiences with us below.

I love this sandwich, because I sometimes get a little tired of cauliflower and zucchini is a nice alternative.

These two recipes and photos are from Mike at TheIronYou.com.

Turkey Taco Lettuce Wrap

I love the colors in this beautiful wrap. After all we do eat with our eyes as well. 🙂

When you try this recipe, be sure to use a sugar free tomato sauce (or make your own). I never skim on fat, so I don't use lean mince and I always use full fat dairy. When you find a stunning recipe like this which may not be 100% keto compliant, just experiment and adjust it to make it exactly what you want.

This recipe works well with the romaine or iceberg lettuce, but you can also use a "harder" lettuce, if you find that it transports better that way.

Check out the recipe and source for the photo here at CookingClassy.com .

Lettuce Wrapped Hamburger

I added this recipe, because I love burgers and Nicole doesn't only give us a recipe for a beef burger, but suggests lots of variation giving us one recipe with many options.

Nicole has added four variations to this yummy burger. She likes to make her own beef patties rather than buy mince. To make these burger patties she uses grass fed beef and uncured bacon. Yum... 🙂

Make the patties the night before or make a batch over the weekend and then just assemble them the morning before work.

You can find this lettuce wrapped hamburger recipe and lots more healthy and delicious recipes at FoodIMakeMySoldier.com.

Keto Sandwich Fillings for Work

Our options for sandwich fillings are really unlimited.

When we think keto - bacon, egg, cheese and tomato comes to mind.

And so does this delicious wrap idea from Stephanie Meyer - Bacon, radish and avocado lettuce wraps.

Photo Source

I also enjoy tuna fillings, like the salad recipe shared above. Another great filling is egg and mayonnaise.

Any left overs can be used as sandwich fillers. The ideas for what to fill your sandwich with is really endless. Now that we have our fillings covered, let's have a look at some low carb bread that we can make to go with our delicious fillings...

Ketogenic Bread Ideas and Recipes

We have looked at cauliflower and zucchini bread and wraps. So let's now have a look at a few easy bread recipes...

Oopsie Rolls

Oopsie rolls are perfect for burgers, but will work well with most of the fillings listed above. They are made with eggs, cream cheese, cream of tartar and salt and are fluffy and light.

For the recipe and photo source visit TasteAholics.com.

2 Minute Microwave Keto Bread

If you miss bread or want to make bread in minutes, then you have to try this recipe by Headbanger's Kitchen. Watch the video and then try the recipe below...

I love this recipe, partly because it is so very fast to make, but it is also delicious.

What you need

30 gram of almond flour
10 gram of salted butter
1/2 a teaspoon of baking powder
1 egg

This recipe makes 1 serving.

Check out more delicious recipe videos from Headbanger's Kitchen.

What you do

Add the butter to a microwavable cup.
Melt it in the microwave for about 10 seconds.
Add the egg and beat it with a whisk.
Add the baking powder and mix well.
Add the almond flour bit by bit and mix well.
Microwave for 90 seconds.
Overturn the mug
Slice and enjoy...

Healthy Low Carb Bread

I love this bread. It is tasty and looks like a normal white bread. The best thing about this bread is the smell of fresh home baked bread.

To have this ready for sandwiches during the week, you probably have to bake over the weekend, but it really is worth it. Prepping for this bread takes 15 to 20 minutes and it bakes for 30 minutes.

This was my first attempt at making this bread. 🙂 I know I should have tested whether it is cooked through with a tooth pick, but I wasn't thinking. 🙂 This bread is delicious and I so loved the smell.

For the recipe, please visit Keto Connect. They have lots of delicious low carb recipes. You can also watch how they make the bread on their website or here at the bottom of the page.

As you can see from the recipes and ideas here, sandwiches are still the ultimate portable lunch option. All you need is a healthy keto bread (and you have many options) and a yummy low carb high fat filling.

These are all easy to pack, no matter where you work and they are perfect to pack as keto friendly school lunches.

Quiches and Pies - The Comfort Food Lunch

Pies are the ultimate comfort food, aren't they?

Quiches and pies are both easy to prepare on weekends. Freeze them in pre-packed portions and you are set for an easy work or school lunch any day of the week.

Eggs must be the ketoer's best friend and so very versatile. Quiches, frittatas and even omelettes are perfect for packed lunches.

Pies are especially great for a work or school lunch, as just like with sandwiches they are easy to pack and many of them can also be eaten at room temperature.

Personally I prefer my eggs warmed up, so for me this will only work if I can warm them. But if you don't mind cold eggs then you can have these meals anywhere.

Here are some of my favorites...

French Quiche

There is very little I can say about this pie, except - Yummy try it.

It takes some work, so make it on the weekend and portion them of. This is one of those pies, that I love to eat cold so I can take it with me any time. Just add a green salad and you have a delicious and healthy lunch.

Visit The Diet Doctor for his French quiche recipe and for the source of the photo.

Portobello Mushroom and Feta Frittata

Not technically a quiche, but frittatas must be some of the most versatile foods available to a ketoer.

Frittatas are really easy to make and can be eaten at room temperature, so is a convenient lunch option even when you have no warming options at work.

I normally make them the night before and then just stick them in my lunch box in the morning.

Check out the Portobello mushroom and feta frittata recipe and more delicious recipes and ideas.

Low Carb Spaghetti Bolognese Pie

I love this pie. It is seriously yummy and the ultimate comfort food. Pie and spaghetti bolognese all in one. 🙂

It is quite a bit of work. But then making pies always are. So, it may be worthwhile making a few pies over the weekend.

This is made with Konjac spaghetti. I can't always find it so tend to use Shirataki Noodles.

You can enjoy this meal warm or cold, depending on your preference.

Check out the recipe and source for the photo here at My Keto Kitchen.

Easy Taco Pie

Yummy 🙂

This is one of those must have recipes in your arsenal of ketogenic diet recipes.

It is easy to make and is really filling. It can be made the night before or the weekend before and stored in the fridge or freezer.

If like me, you don't mind room temperature food, you can eat it as is or warm it up and enjoy...

The recipe and picture courtesy of AllDayIDreamAboutFood.com.

Spinach Quiche Cup

These individual quiche cups or egg muffins are probably more popular as breakfast food, but they are also perfect as a packed lunch.

I like them because they are so easy to pack and they are simple to make.

I love this spinach, mushroom and cheese combination, but you can really add any ingredients you have in your fridge.

As you can eat them at room temperature, they make for a tasty lunch no matter where you find yourself.

For the recipe and the original picture click here.

Chicken Pot Pie

Who doesn’t love chicken pie? No list of comfort food lunches can be complete without a chicken pie. So enjoy...

Check out LowCarb-Ology.com for the recipe and the original picture.

These are all really yummy lunch ideas to take with to work. Whilst on keto you should feel deprived and with these amazing comfort food recipes you never have to.

Please share your favorite comfort food lunch recipes with us in the comments below...

Dinner for Lunch - The Left Over Bonanza

Some of the easiest work lunches may be packing left over portions from the previous night's dinner. So, it may be worth planning dinner with the following day's lunch in mind.

Most of these meals will probably require warming, so may not be ideal if you don't have options to warm your lunch. Off course that that depends on your own preference.

Here are some of my favorite dinner for lunch ideas...

Essential Skillet Zucchini Lasagna

I love one pan meals. Usually they are easy to make and who doesn't love saving time when washing up.

Another thing I like about these types of foods, is that their flavors develop over time. When you eat this zucchini lasagna for lunch the next day, the flavor would have developed and the meal may very well be even tastier than the night before.

This lasagna is made with spiralized zucchini, ground chicken, delicious cheeses and flavorsome herbs.

This one recipe gives you many staple recipe ideas as you can also use ground beef or Japanese styled zero carb noodles.

Enjoy dinner and your take along lunch by getting the recipe from TheFitHousewife.com.

Low Carb Salmon Fish Cakes

These delicious low carb fish cakes are made with pink salmon and have a really low net carb count.

They will be as tasty the next day and is an easy portable lunch. Take along a nice green salad and some avocado and you'll have a lunch fit for a king.

For the recipe and some amazing pictures showing every step in the preparation process, check out Ruled.me.

Grilled Pesto Chicken Kebabs

Kebabs are perfect left over food. They are easy to pack and in most instances can be eaten at room temperature.

They are perfect for summer barbecue dinners. But even in winter, they can be cooked in the oven or a skillet.

When you make kebabs, add your vegetables of choice and you can have a complete lunch on a skewer.

One of the things, I really love about this chicken kebab recipe is the pesto. I enjoy the pairing and when you make your own pesto from this simple recipe, you know that it is keto friendly.

Check out the recipe and the step by step pictures on how to make these kebabs at SkinnyTaste.

Pork and Vegetable Stir Fry

Simple and Easy!

Not only is stir fry quick and easy to make for supper, but preparing an extra serving makes for the perfect healthy lunch the following day.

The options and combinations are endless.

With this recipe, I love the sweet and sour combination and the kick form the ginger.

The recipe and picture courtesy of LowCarbMaven.com.

Stuffed Chicken Breast

These stuffed chicken breasts are yummy for dinner. Just cook a few extra and you'll have an easy delicious lunch. Want to make them easier to eat, just take along some lettuce leaves and eat it like you would a hamburger.

As you can eat them at room temperature, they make for a tasty lunch no matter where you find yourself.

Want to make this stuffed chicken tonight? Then get the recipe here and get cooking... 🙂

Lamb and Spinach Curry

Slow cooker meals are the best when you want to have a meal ready when you walk in. It is also easy to cook enough food, so you can take the leftovers with to work.

I love curry. If you do too, then enjoy this delicious lamb curry. You can eat it with or without cauliflower rice.

Get the recipe here and also check out Ditch The Carbs blog where you will not only find lots of delicious recipes, but also good advice in support of your ketogenic lifestyle for your whole family.

The easiest lunch option is left overs from dinners. Plan your evening meals around your needs for the next day and you will always have an easy take away lunch ready to go.

Please share your keto lunch prep ideas and recipes with us in the comments below.

For simple and easy to make lunch recipes check out Lunch in Five by clicking on the picture below... Or go here to read what we think about it.

Stuffed Chicken Breast [Easy Keto]

by Noline

Whether you are just starting out on your ketogenic lifestyle or have reached a stage where you see yourself as a lazy ketoer, you are probably looking for simple and easy to make quick keto recipes.

This stuffed chicken breast recipe is one of those easy fall back keto recipes that we all need on our essential keto recipe list.

Ketogenic Stuffed Chicken Breast Recipe

What you need

4 chicken breasts (bone and skinless)
4 ounces of goat cheese
6 strips of crispy cooked and crumbled bacon
6 thinly sliced basil leaves
Himalayan salt and pepper to taste
1 cup of balsamic vinegar
2 table spoons of butter for frying

Notes

With most of my ketogenic diet chicken recipes, I don't remove the skin, but I like variety and some recipes are nice without it.
To butterfly or cut the chicken breast in half, you want to place the breast on a flat surface. Place one hand on the top and run a sharp knife horizontally through the thickest part. Be sure not to cut all the way through. Need more help, then watch the video at the bottom of this page.
If you like to check whether your chicken is cooked with a thermometer, you want a reading of 165 degrees.

This recipe makes 4 servings.

What you do

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Butterfly the chicken breasts. (See notes and video below)
Lay the halved chicken breast flat onto your work surface.
Season with Himalayan salt and pepper.
Add a quarter of the cheese, bacon and basil leaves to each breast.
Fold the breasts in half. The chicken should completely surround the the cheese mixture.
Season the outside - top and bottom with Himalayan salt and pepper.
Add butter to an oven proof skillet and warm over medium heat.
When warm, sear the stuffed chicken breasts on both sides.
Place in the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until done.
Just before the chicken is done, prepare the balsamic glaze by adding the vinegar to a small sauce pan. Heat over medium heat stirring whilst the vinegar is reduced to about a third of its volume.
To serve, place the stuffed chicken breast on serving plates and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.
Serve with a mixed green salad and broccoli.

Save this easy keto stuffed chicken breast recipe to Pinterest, so you have it handy when you want to cook it...

More Low Carb Stuffed Chicken Breast Fillings

If you don't like goat's cheese, ricotta cheese also works well. Depending on what cheese I have in the fridge, I may experiment with almost any cheese. But milder cheeses work better, because you don't want to overwhelm the taste of chicken. After all chicken is the main actor in this dish.

A classic combination is spinach and feta. For a colorful add on to this classic, why not add sundried tomato?

You can also try broccoli and cheese or asparagus and cheese.

Feel free to replace the bacon with pepperoni, just be sure that the pepperoni is keto friendly.

How To Tips

I like to first sear the chicken breasts in a pan because it locks in the flavor.

If you just want to pop them straight into the oven, I like how Gayle McLeod does it. She first grills her bacon in the oven. When she is done, she uses the same baking tray and parchment paper to grill her chicken on. In this way the chicken absorbs the bacon fat from the outside and it helps to crisp the outside of the chicken.

In this video she makes chicken rolls with cheese, broccoli and bacon. When you watch her thinning out her chicken, you will see why I prefer butterflying the chicken. It gives me a thinner piece of meat without hammering the chicken and I find it to be less messy.

Off course both methods work well, so figure out which method works best for you.

Watch her now...

Not sure how to butterfly a chicken breast, then watch this video for easy instructions...

If you like this stuffed chicken breast keto recipe, please share it...

Portobello Mushroom and Feta Frittata

by Noline

As you probably know by now, I love frittatas. They are easy to make and really versatile. I have them for breakfast, brunch, lunch and sometimes for dinner.

If you like them too, you will enjoy this portobello mushroom and feta frittata.

Portobello Mushroom and Feta Frittata Recipe

What you need

2 eggs
1 table spoon of cream
1 table spoon of water
1 baby Portobello mushroom
1/2 a handful of arugula or baby spinach
2 cherry tomatoes
1/2 an ounce of feta cheese
Himalayan salt and pepper to taste
1/2 a table spoon of butter for frying

Tips

When you use Portobello mushrooms make sure to wash them well and remove the gills. I normally chop up the stems and slice the caps into thin slices.
Add your Himalayan salt and pepper to the egg mixture as you whisk it. This way the seasoning will be evenly distributed.
The key to cooking a stove top frittata like this is low heat. Flipping a whole frittata is cumbersome, but when you keep the heat low, it has sufficient time to cook through without the bottom being overcooked.

What you do

Whisk together the eggs, cream, water, salt and pepper until blended and set aside.
Add butter to a non-stick skillet and warm over medium heat.
Add mushrooms and cook for about 5 minutes until brown. Stir occasionally.
Add arugula and stir continuously until wilted. This should take no more than a minute or 2.
Spread the mushrooms and arugula evenly across the bottom of the pan.
Pour the egg mixture over the mushrooms and arugula and let it cook for about 2 minutes or until the egg begins to set.
Reduce heat to just above the “low” setting and cover. Cook for about 8 minutes.
Arrange the ingredients as in the picture or scatter the feta chunks and tomatoes into the pan.
Replace the cover and cook for a few minutes until the egg is cooked through and the cheese is just melting.
Remove from heat and transfer to a serving platter.
Serve warm or enjoy at room temperature.

This recipe is enough for 1 serving.

To make enough for 4 people, use 6 eggs and 4 times all the other ingredients.

Let us know in the comments below how you like our Portobello mushroom and feta frittata.

More Frittata Recipes and Ideas

For more stove top frittata recipes, have a look at our pizza frittata here or our roast veg frittata.

I like to make stove top frittatas, but if you like to make them in the oven, you'll need a skillet like this one that can be used on the stove top as well as in the oven.

What I do love about oven made frittatas, is that you can grill your cheese beautifully. Gosh, I am getting hungry just thinking of that grilled cheese on top of a yummy frittata.

If you want to see how an oven frittata is made, then watch this video with Jamie Oliver showing you how. I love what he is doing here and especially his little salsa that he adds to the top. For this to be keto approved just leave out the peas.

Ketogenic Breakfast Ideas

by Noline

We have always been told that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. If you enjoy breakfast or brunch and are looking for some ketogenic breakfast ideas, skip my rant about why I don’t eat breakfast and check out my breakfast and brunch ideas below.

If however you don’t like to eat breakfast and is tired to hear you should, then enjoy my rant.

Not for me

If you don’t like to have breakfast, then don’t be pressured into thinking that you should. Generally we eat too much and if you prefer to have your first meal of the day around lunch time, then go for it.

Personally, I have never been one for breakfast. I like to eat around 12 for the first time. I however do start my day with a Bullet Proof coffee. With good MCT oil, it fuels my body and more importantly my mind for a focused and productive day.

I remember when I ate high carb cereals in the morning, because it was pounded into me that I have to eat breakfast. By 10, I was hungry again. I always thought to myself, once I eat, I just can’t stop eating.

Today I understand why that it. When you live on glucose and carbs as fuel, your carb resources need to be regularly refilled.

Let’s briefly consider some of the compelling reasons why we have been told that breakfast is the best meal of the day and that we can’t skip it.

Breakfast kick starts your metabolism

This may be true, when your body is carb fueled. However, this getting my metabolism going, is also what causes me to want eat throughout the day, because I tend to be constantly hungry.

However, when my body is fueled with good fats (butter, MCT oils or normal coconut oil), I feel like my metabolism is really revved up.

I have to acknowledge that on the days that I feel like breakfast and I have a good breakfast with lots of fat, some protein and some veggies, I get the same benefit I get from my high fat coffee.

So maybe this is all about eating the right breakfast and not about not eating.

You are less likely to snack

My personal experience is the exact opposite, but then as I realized above, it may all be about what I eat and not whether I eat.

Now when I eat a healthy and filling low carb high fat breakfast, I hardly snack at all. 🙂

You are more productive

This was never my experience, but again, maybe it had more to do with what I was told to eat – cereal and other high carb breakfasts - than actually eating breakfast.

Now a keto style breakfast is definitely leaving me more focused, energized and productive.

Now, as often happens, my own ranting, got me to the point where I realize it really isn’t about breakfast at all, but rather about eating the right breakfast for you. And this starts with…

Listen to your body

Personally, as my body becomes more and more keto adapted, I will never take a position that breakfast is good or bad for me.

When I need food, I eat. When I don’t need fuel, I don’t eat. And a ketogenic breakfast is not really comparable with a high carb breakfast.

Now you may wonder why I invite you to an article about ketogenic breakfast ideas and then tell you why I don’t eat breakfast.

Well, just because I don’t want to eat when I get up, I still love breakfast foods, especially the keto versions.

It is one of the easier meals to “go keto”. After all who doesn’t love bacon?

What does make breakfast a little tough for many people is that they don’t have much time in the mornings to prepare breakfast or they need to take it with – so need a breakfast on the go option.

Here are some of my favorite keto breakfast/brunch ideas…

Ketogenic breakfast ideas

Cheese Muffins

These are not your classic muffins though. They are made with cheese, eggs and your choice of veggies. I like to use onion, zucchini, peppers, tomato, broccoli, spinach and really any vegetables I have available.

They are great, because not only are they delicious, they are easy and fast to prepare. If you want, you can even make them in the evening before bed, and have breakfast waiting for you when you get up!

What you get with these super muffins is an easy on the go breakfast high in fat, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals and very low in carbs.

This is one of my go to meals anytime when I don’t know if I will be able to cook a fresh meal.

I use this recipe as a base. It makes 12 “ready to go” cheese muffins.

Recipe and Instructions

Crack 12 eggs into a large bowl
Add 1/2 cup of milk or cream
Add salt and pepper to taste
Whisk until the mixture is evenly combined
Now add your veggies into the mix
Then add 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese
Whisk it all together again
Pour the mixture evenly into a greased muffin tin
Bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees.

Sometimes I also add ham or bacon.

Bacon and baked eggs with wilted spinach

We all think traditional bacon and eggs when we think low carb breakfast. But if you are anything like me, you are always looking for ways to play up this classic breakfast meal.

I like one dish meals because it saves so much time on washing up.

These are really easy to make..

Start out by lining a baking pan with spinach.
Then add a layer of bacon.
Top these with eggs
Then add your choice of veggies
Add two tablespoons of grated cheese
Pop in the oven for about 20 minutes.

...and voila you have a divine breakfast.This divine meal is not just very filling, but is also colorful and looks great.

Frittatas

Another of my favorite one dish breakfasts.

I love that you can add almost any combination of veggies and you will end up of a tasty meal.

Watch these videos for three of my favorite keto frittata ideas…

Like the idea of pizza for breakfast? Then watch the video now...

Mushroom frittata - quick and easy to make...

Another recipe, where I use whatever veggies I have available...

Wheat Free Pancakes

Pancakes is a breakfast favorite that you can still enjoy. You only need to change some of the unhealthy ingredients and you will have a delicious and energizing breakfast.

When you drop the wheat from your pancake it is generally replaced with almond flour. Almond flour is low in sugar and carbs and is a decent source of protein.

This is another keto breakfast option that is easy to take with you when you need a breakfast on the go.Here are some of my favorite recipes…

Paleo Buttermilk Pancakes

These delicious coconut and almond flour pancakes are made by Stacy from BeautyAndTheFoodie.com.

Paleo and Low Carb Blueberry Pancakes

This delicious recipe is high in fat, medium in protein and medium carbs. This recipe is by Vicky from TasteAholics.com

Smoothies

I know when you think of smoothies, you probably think that they are too high in carbs to ever make a good ketogenic breakfast.

However, smoothies can be really high fat, medium protein and low carb when you add seeds, nuts, Greek yogurt or cream, coconut oil, avocado and or nut butters, protein powder and green leafy vegetables like spinach.

For a little sweetness add a handful of berries or a sweetner like stevia.

The smoothie on the right here is my favorite keto smoothie recipe. It is another of Vicky at TasteAholic.com's creations.

To get the recipe click on the picture it will take you through to the recipe...

What about you?

Do you love breakfast? Has your breakfast habits changed since you stated on a keto journey? Please share your ketogenic breakfast ideas with us in the comments...