This one-skillet paleo chicken marsala is loaded with flavor! Juicy chicken, a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy, savory bacon make this a recipe you’ll want in your dinner rotation! It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, Paleo, and Whole30 compliant.
Another one-pot chicken recipe that’s going to be a favorite! Chicken marsala is one of those meals that for SOME reason, I haven’t had since pre-paleo.
Not because it isn’t delicious enough to want to recreate, but because I had some sort of mental block about doing it the “right” way, yet making it paleo.
Well, surprise! It’s actually totally possible to make it both paleo and totally YUM – tasting the way chicken marsala should taste.
Oh, and because I had some on hand and just couldn’t resist – I added bacon for some extra flavor – hope you don’t mind!
How to Make Paleo Chicken Marsala with Bacon
I began with thinly sliced chicken breasts, seasoned them, and very lightly coated in tapioca flour to keep them nice and juicy.
The bacon is pan fried, then the chicken gets fried in some of the leftover bacon fat – one of the reasons I can’t resist cooking with bacon!
The Bacon is Optional in this Paleo Chicken Marsala
Keep in mind the bacon is truly optional in this recipe! I love it, but if I’m short on time I skip it since it’s an add on.
If you skip the bacon, you will need a substitution for the bacon fat.
Instead of bacon fat, simply fry the chicken and veggies in olive oil, avocado oil or refined coconut oil.
How to Cook with Coconut Milk in Place of Cream or Milk
After setting aside the chicken, I made the sauce – super simple.
Some sautéed onions, mushrooms, and garlic, with bone broth, coconut milk, and balsamic vinegar.
I also added a bit more tapioca with my liquids for extra thickness. Plus, a little bit of mustard and nutritional yeast for flavor goes a long way.
I’ve found that when cooking with coconut milk in place of milk or heavy cream, the mustard and nutritional yeast help cut the coconut flavor.
However, these two ingredients are entirely optional in the recipe and you’ll still get great flavor without them.
Keeping the Chicken Cutlets Juicy
After the sauce cooked a bit, I added the chicken back in to further thicken the sauce (the tapioca coating from the chicken does this!) and allowed it to simmer just a few minutes.
I hate overcooked chicken, so I’m careful not to keep it simmering too long.
Even with the coating and that creamy sauce, chicken breasts have the tendency to dry out.
For the last minute, I crumbled the cooked bacon back into the skillet.
And here it is ! With some fresh herbs thrown on for extra color (or skip) – your one-skillet chicken marsala is ready for YOU!
And your family, of course, don’t want to forget the others 😉
This paleo chicken marsala is dairy-free, gluten-free, Whole30 compliant and relatively low in carbs too – with 12g per serving.
I hope you’re ready for an easy, super tasty paleo dinner that will surely make its way into your dinner rotation! Leftovers save very well too – it’s win-win here.
Okay, grab a big skillet and all your ingredients because it’s time to cook – let’s go!
Chicken Marsala with Bacon {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}
Chicken Marsala with Bacon {Paleo, Whole30, Keto}
This one-skillet paleo chicken marsala is loaded with flavor! Juicy chicken, a creamy mushroom sauce and crispy, savory bacon make this a recipe you’ll want over and over! It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, Paleo, and Whole30 compliant.
Ingredients
- 6 slices nitrate free bacon
- 3 Tbsp rendered bacon fat divided
- 1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts thin sliced
- Sea salt and black pepper
- 3 Tbsp + 1 tsp tapioca flour or arrowroot starch, divided
- 1 medium onion diced
- 8 oz baby Bella mushrooms or preferred mushrooms, sliced
- 3-4 cloves garlic minced
- Pinch sea salt and black pepper
- 1 cup chicken bone broth
- 1 1/2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar or preferred vinegar
- 2/3 cup coconut milk full fat, blended
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast optional
- 2 tsp stone ground mustard optional
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Instructions
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In a large deep skillet, cook bacon on med-high heat until crisp, then remove and drain on paper towels.
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Reserve bacon fat in a container, then wipe the skillet of burnt bits.
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Return skillet to medium-high heat and add 2 Tbsp bacon fat (or preferred cooking fat. Place 3 Tbsp tapioca on a plate or in a very shallow bowl. Sprinkle chicken with sea salt and pepper on both sides. Coat chicken in the tapioca and shake off excess, then add to the hot skillet. Allow one side to turn golden brown (about 3-4 mins) then flip. Repeat with all chicken, working in batches if necessary. You might need to add more cooking fat if frying the chicken in batches.
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Once chicken is done, set aside and lower the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 Tbsp bacon fat, then add the onions and cook until translucent. Add the mushrooms and garlic, another pinch of salt and pepper, and continue to cook another 3-5 minutes to soften. Mix the 1 tsp tapioca into the broth, then add broth to the skillet, along with the vinegar, coconut milk, mustard, and nutritional yeast.
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Stir and bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer and add the chicken back in, simmering for 3-4 minutes to thicken the sauce. For the last minute, crumble the cooked bacon into the skillet to heat through.
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Serve over cauli rice, veggie noodles or with roasted potatoes. Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
Notes: To lower the carb count for a keto diet, you can omit the tapioca starch OR only very lightly coat each piece of chicken, using about 1 1/2 Tbsp total.
Nutrition
Want More Paleo One-Pot Recipes? Try One of These!
“Honey” Mustard Chicken in the Instant Pot
General Tso’s Chicken in the Instant Pot
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This chicken marsala recipe looks amazing! I love that it’s a one-skillet meal and fits so many diets like Paleo and Whole30. Adding bacon sounds like a delicious twist for extra flavor.
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This chicken marsala recipe is intriguing with its combination of juicy chicken, creamy mushroom sauce, and crispy bacon, all in a one-skillet meal. How do you think the use of “coconut milk” influences the overall flavor compared to traditional cream?
The recipe for ‘Chicken Marsala with Bacon’ sounds delicious with its use of coconut milk and crispy bacon. I’m curious, how does the ‘tapioca flour’ affect the texture of the chicken in this dish?
I love how this ‘Chicken Marsala with Bacon’ recipe uses coconut milk and nutritional yeast to create a creamy sauce while keeping it Paleo-friendly. Have you noticed any difference in the dish’s richness when using ‘bone broth’ instead of traditional chicken broth?
The ‘Chicken Marsala with Bacon’ recipe is fascinating, especially with its use of coconut milk and nutritional yeast to keep it Paleo-friendly. How do you think the combination of ‘balsamic vinegar’ and ‘bone broth’ impacts the sauce’s depth of flavor?
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This sounds absolutely irresistible One skillet, crispy bacon, juicy chicken, and a creamy mushroom sauce that still fits Paleo, Whole30, and Keto? That’s a win on every level. I love how you kept all the classic chicken marsala vibes while making it clean and dairy-free.
This recipe sounds like the perfect balance of comfort food and clean eating! The combination of crispy bacon with the creamy, dairy-free marsala-style sauce feels like such a smart twist on a classic dish.
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