Keto Chicken Marsala – This low carb chicken marsala is the traditional Italian classic with the creamy goodness and bold mushroom flavor without the extra carbs.
What is Keto Chicken Marsala?
Chicken Marsala is a beloved Italian-American dish that features tender chicken breasts cooked in a sauce made from Marsala wine, mushrooms, garlic, and a touch of cream. Traditionally, this dish is served with pasta or rice, but for a keto-friendly version, we’ll focus on low-carb ingredients while keeping all the amazing flavors intact.
Ingredients for Keto Chicken Marsala
To make this keto version, you’ll need just a few simple, pantry-friendly ingredients:
Fresh Parsley: To garnish and brighten the dish.
Chicken Breasts (boneless, skinless): Thinly pounded to ensure even cooking and a tender result.
Almond Flour: For dredging the chicken. It creates a crispy exterior without the carbs from regular flour.
Butter: Adds richness to the dish.
Olive Oil: Helps in cooking the chicken while keeping it heart-healthy.
Mushrooms: Cremini or white mushrooms are perfect for this recipe, providing a deep earthy flavor.
Garlic: For an extra layer of savory goodness.
Marsala Wine: The star of the sauce. Make sure to use dry Marsala to keep it keto-friendly.
Heavy Cream: To thicken the sauce and give it a rich, velvety texture.
Chicken Broth: For additional moisture and flavor.
Tips & Tricks for the Best Keto Chicken Marsala
- Pounding the Chicken: Ensures even cooking and helps prevent the chicken from drying out.
- Almond Flour for Dredging: Keeps the dish low-carb while adding a nice crispy texture to the chicken.
- Dry Marsala Wine: Using dry Marsala is essential for maintaining the keto integrity of the dish. Sweet Marsala contains more carbs, which could knock you out of ketosis.
- Heavy Cream: Helps thicken the sauce without adding any carbs. Avoid using milk, as it won’t provide the same richness and can increase the carb count.
Recipe Variations
If you want to switch things up, here are a few variations to try:
Keto Chicken Marsala with Zoodles: Instead of serving with traditional pasta, pair this dish with zucchini noodles (zoodles) or cauliflower mash for a fully keto meal.
Dairy-Free Option: Substitute heavy cream with coconut cream for a dairy-free version that’s just as creamy.
Add Bacon: For an extra layer of flavor, sauté some chopped bacon along with the mushrooms.
Vegetarian Keto Marsala: Replace the chicken with portobello mushrooms or zucchini slices for a plant-based twist.
How to Serve Keto Chicken Marsala
This dish pairs beautifully with several keto-friendly sides, allowing you to create a balanced, flavorful meal. Here are some serving ideas:
- Zucchini Noodles (Zoodles): The perfect low-carb pasta substitute.
- Cauliflower Mash: Creamy, buttery mashed cauliflower provides a perfect base to soak up the sauce.
- Sautéed Spinach: A quick and easy side that complements the richness of the Marsala sauce.
How to Store and Reheat Keto Chicken Marsala
If you have leftovers (lucky you!), here’s how to store and reheat them:
- To Store: Place the cooked chicken and sauce in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
- To Freeze: You can freeze Keto Chicken Marsala for up to 2 months. Just be sure to store it in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge overnight before reheating.
- To Reheat: Reheat gently on the stove over medium heat. Add a splash of chicken broth or cream to refresh the sauce as it may thicken while sitting.
Recipe FAQs
1. Can I use cooking wine instead of Marsala wine?
It’s best to use real Marsala wine for this recipe, as cooking wine often contains added salts and sugars, which can affect both flavor and carb count.
2. Is Marsala wine keto-friendly?
Dry Marsala wine is low in carbs, making it a great choice for a keto-friendly sauce. However, avoid sweet Marsala, which contains more sugars.
3. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes! You can cook the chicken and sauce ahead of time, then store them separately. When ready to serve, simply reheat and combine.
4. What kind of mushrooms work best for this dish?
Cremini or white mushrooms work best, but you can also use baby bella or portobello mushrooms for a meatier texture.
5. How many carbs are in Keto Chicken Marsala?
This dish contains approximately 5-7 grams of net carbs per serving, depending on portion sizes and the exact ingredients used.
Keto Chicken Marsala
Keto Chicken Marsala - This low carb chicken marsala is the traditional Italian classic with the creamy goodness and bold mushroom flavor without the extra carbs.
Ingredients
- 2 lb chicken tenders or breasts, cut into tenders
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- 1 medium shallot, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tsp fresh chopped sage or thyme
- 8 oz sliced mushrooms
- ⅓ cup chicken broth
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup dry Marsala wine
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Sprinkle salt and pepper generously on both sides of the chicken.
- Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, cook the chicken tenders for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- Sauté the Shallot and Mushrooms: Add butter to the same pan and let it melt. Toss in the sliced shallot and cook until translucent.
- Add the mushrooms, cooking until they're golden brown (about 5 minutes). Season with salt, pepper, and fresh sage or thyme.
- Make the Marsala Sauce: Pour in the Marsala wine, letting it reduce by half. Then, add chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a boil. Let the sauce simmer until it begins to thicken.
- Finish the Dish: Return the chicken to the pan, simmer for 3-5 minutes until heated through and coated in the creamy Marsala sauce.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 644Total Fat: 42gSaturated Fat: 12gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 26gCholesterol: 105mgSodium: 1518mgCarbohydrates: 36gFiber: 3gSugar: 3gProtein: 32g
Chickenrecipes.blog, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although allchickenrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Final Thoughts
Keto Chicken Marsala is the ultimate comfort food for those on a low-carb diet. The creamy, wine-infused sauce paired with tender chicken and earthy mushrooms is simply irresistible, and with the keto-friendly adjustments, you can enjoy this classic dish without guilt.
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