Tender chicken sautéed in a flavorful creamy pink sauce made in one pan in just 20 minutes. This low carb Italian skillet is perfect for a busy weeknight dinner!
FREE EASY KETO DINNERS EBOOK
Who says you can't enjoy delicious Italian food on a Keto diet? There're so many different Keto Italian recipes you can make that are low carb and healthy at the same time!
Some family favorites you could try are: Zucchini Lasagna, Italian Beef Braciole, Shrimp all Vodka, Baked Italian Meatballs, Chicken Parmesan and Chicken Marsala, just to name a few!
This low carb skillet recipe has such great flavor and is incredibly easy to make! Serve over zucchini noodles, spaghetti squash or Palmini noodles to make it a complete filling and satisfying meal. If you haven't tried Palmini, it's a hearts of palm pasta and is a great substitute for the traditional thing.
This is a perfect easy weeknight Keto dinner to make, that will taste like you've been cooking it for hours!
What's in Creamy Keto Tuscan Skillet
- Chicken breasts
- Baby spinach leaves
- Baby bella mushrooms
- Canned diced tomatoes
- Whipping cream
- Mascarpone cheese
- Parmesan cheese
- Garlic cloves
- Grass-fed butter
- Fresh basil
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
How to Make Keto Tuscan Chicken
Heat a large skillet over medium, add in half the butter and oil. Add in the chicken, salt and pepper and sauté for a few minutes on each side or until lightly golden. Remove and set side.
Add in the remaining butter and sauté the mushrooms for a few minutes, or until they have some good color. Sauté the garlic for 20 seconds, careful not to burn it!
Add in the diced tomatoes with their liquid/sauce and the spinach and stir until the spinach has wilted.
Stir in the heavy cream, mascarpone and parmesan cheese.
Once combined, add the chicken back in and simmer on medium low for 8-10 minutes (partially covered) or until the chicken is cooked through.
Add the fresh basil and serve!
Store leftovers in the fridge for a few days or freeze.
If you're looking for another great Italian dish using zucchini noodles, try this Low Carb Zucchini Noodles Carbonara!
Is Chicken Good for a Keto Diet?
Definitely! Chicken is a great protein to eat on Keto! There are so many Keto recipes using chicken that we get to enjoy. Chicken is not only a great source of protein for a Low Carb diet, but it also has many vitamins and minerals. You can read more about the health benefits of chicken in this article.
Chicken breasts are used in this skillet, but you can use thighs if you'd like.
How Many Carbs in Chicken?
None whatsoever! The carbs in this skillet come from everything else that you add in, rather than the chicken.
How to Make a Flavorful Low Carb Tuscan Sauce?
Be sure to use diced tomatoes (and the liquid included) that are the lowest in carbs and sugar that you can find. Also, baby portobello mushrooms or "baby bella" has such great flavor, but if you can't find them, you can use white mushrooms instead. Mushrooms are loaded with potassium and are low in carbs, so they're perfect for Keto.
Also loaded with potassium, fresh baby spinach is used. If you can only find regular spinach, you can use it instead and just chop it up a bit. You can even use frozen spinach, just be sure to thaw and squeeze all the excess water out before adding it to the skillet, otherwise your sauce will be watery.
Fresh garlic and basil are also used. If you can't find fresh basil, you can use dried basil and fresh parsley instead.
Mascarpone cheese is used in this Low Carb skillet to add extra creaminess and also help thicken the sauce. Mascarpone has the same consistency as cream cheese, but is lower in carbs and has a milder flavor.
It's loaded with healthy fats and is so low in carbs, it makes it a perfect Keto ingredients to use! You can use it in so many recipes, both sweet and savory, including fat bombs, mousse, cupcake frosting and more!
Is Zucchini Keto Friendly?
Most definitely! It fairly low in carbs and are loaded with several vitamins and minerals. Read more about the health benefits of zucchini in this article!
There are also so many different ways you can prepare zucchini for a Keto diet, making them very versatile. You can slice them in half, scoop out the center and use them as "boats" to carry all different kinds of fillings, like in this Lasagna Stuffed Zucchini Boats. You can slice them very thin and use them as a substitute for lasagna, adding Italian Meat Sauce and cheese between the layers in this Zucchini Lasagna.
You can also cut them into sticks and make Zucchini Fries with a zesty dipping sauce. Or spiralize them into "zoodles" and make a Zucchini Noodle "Pasta" Salad, which is a great low carb substitute for pasta salad! And you can use zucchini in sweet recipes too, grate them finely and add to these Chocolate Zucchini Muffins. It's a perfect way to hide veggies in your meals, especially for children!
How Many Carbs in Zucchini?
There are about 4 net carbs in a medium zucchini and you typically wouldn't use an entire medium sized zucchini for one meal.
How to Make Zucchini Noodles or "Zoodles"
Zucchini noodles are such a great low carb substitute for pasta and are really easy to make! All you need is a spiralizer to make them with and it literally takes about a minute to make them.
If you've never made them before, give it a shot! Of course it's not exactly like traditional pasta, but you can make them the way you prefer your pasta- al dente (more firm) or cooked a little longer so they're softer.
To make them more al dente, cook them in the microwave for 40 seconds, then pat dry with a paper towel, and toss in the sauce and chicken. Super quick and easy!
More Keto Chicken Recipes
- Chicken Alfredo Casserole
- Chicken Parmesan Casserole
- Chicken Florentine Skillet
- Creamy Chicken Poblano
- Bacon Ranch Chicken Casserole
FREE 20 EASY KETO RECIPES EBOOK
Creamy Tuscan Chicken Skillet
Ingredients
- 1 ½ pounds chicken breast, cut into large chunks
- 2 ounces fresh baby spinach leaves
- 8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, sliced
- ½ of a 15 ounce can diced tomatoes, liquid included
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- ½ cup mascarpone cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
- olive oil or other Keto friendly oil
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium, add in half the butter and oil. Add in the chicken, salt and pepper and sauté for a few minutes on each side or until lightly golden. Remove and set side.
- Add in the remaining butter and sauté the mushrooms for a few minutes, or until they have some good color. Sauté the garlic for 20 seconds, careful not to burn it! Add in the diced tomatoes with their liquid/sauce and the spinach and stir until the spinach has wilted.
- Stir in the heavy cream, mascarpone and parmesan cheese. Once combined, add the chicken back in and simmer on medium low for 8-10 minutes (partially covered) or until the chicken is cooked through.
- Add the fresh basil and serve! Store leftovers in the fridge for a few days or freeze.
*Nutritional data is provided as a courtesy and is accurate to the best of my knowledge. You can verify it using the nutrition calculator of your choice. All data is based on net carbs, without sugar alcohol: Swerve, Erythritol, Monk Fruit or Allulose.
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Suzanne
I'd like to make this for a large group dinner (12+). Suggestions for a way to streamline it so I'm not slaving over the stove as ppl arrive? 🙂 i usually like to do casseroles but this sounds delish...
Keto Cooking Christian
This is a great 20-minute meal that serves 6, so you would just need to double the quantities. You could save a little time by cutting up the chicken in advance and having all the ingredients portioned out. You could plan on having it ready half an hour before guests arrive and just keep it warm until then. Your guests are going to love it. Good luck!
Cheri
This was excellent! We ate it over the Palmini noodles. I have tried several of your recipes and my husband has loved every one! Thank you for making Keto delicious and easy.
Keto Cooking Christian
You are so welcome! 😊 That is so awesome to hear, and it just makes my day.
Carri
Can you please clarify the Butter amount? Making this right now.
Carri
Never mind. I see that it's right on your end but for some weird reason when I printed it out the butter measurement got messed up. Fortunately, I instinctively used the right amount of butter after all. This was a keeper recipe! Thank you! I served it on zoodles. I've never tasted mascarpone cheese all on its own before, and it is delicious! And I still have half a container left in the frig......
Keto Cooking Christian
Oh, I'm glad you were able to figure it out. Mascarpone is so great! I am thrilled you enjoyed it. 😊
Tiffany
What do you serve this with like sides?
Keto Cooking Christian
You can serve this over zoodles, Palmini noodles or cauliflower rice. If you need an additional vegetable, you can serve it with a side salad, or just about any of the side dishes I have on my site.
Cristina
This looks amazing and I can't wait to make it. I don't like mushrooms, should I just omit them or do you have another idea?
Keto Cooking Christian
Thanks so much. I am not sure about another substitute but you can certainly omit them.
Ranae F Kopet
Sliced zucchini makes a great sub for mushrooms.
Mona Amthor
To die for!!! My non-Keto family said this is a keeper!!!!!
This is fantastic and a great change from the same ole same ole! And it is so easy to make. Thank you for sharing!
Keto Cooking Christian
Thanks so much! I love all the flavors in this skillet too! I am so happy your family enjoyed it.
Pauley
This was beyond delicious! The only change I made was to double the sauce. I don't always love a recipe without some changes or tweaks, but this was truly amazing! Thank you so much!
Keto Cooking Christian
Such a nice compliment, thanks so much!
Natalie
Fantastic recipe, this is something I would expect to get at a restaurant!
I subbed the mascarpone with the same amount of cream cheese and didn't have fresh basil so added 2 full teaspoons of pesto. And used strained tomato paste instead of diced tomatoes since that's what I had on hand. Turned out great, will be making again and again. Thank you!
Keto Cooking Christian
So glad to hear you enjoyed it and your substitutions were brilliant, thanks for sharing!
Jenna
If I can't find marscapone, can I use cream cheese? Would it still be half a cup?
Keto Cooking Christian
Yes, you sure can! If you like the flavor of cream cheese, then use the same amount. If you want a milder flavor, use 1/4 cup cream cheese and 1/4 cup heavy cream to replace the mascarpone. I hope that helps!
Wanda Daniel
How many servings in all?
Keto Cooking Christian
Hi Wanda,
There are 6 servings total.
Jan3
If you don’t like mushrooms could you use a full can of diced tomatoes to replace them?
Keto Cooking Christian
Sure you can! Just be sure to adjust the macros accordingly.