I Used to Miss Creamy Chicken… Until I Fixed the Sauce That Always Broke My Macros
Most creamy chicken recipes either sneak in flour (why?) or drown you in carbs from hidden thickeners, sad side pairings, or too much onion. I wanted luxury chicken that didn’t tank my ketones. This version? Hits the spot with under 4g net carbs per serving—and you get to lick the pan.
💡 Why This One Works So Well
- Parmesan = sauce thickener with flavor, not just filler
- No flour, no cornstarch, no BS—just cream, mushrooms, and fat doing their thing
- Cooks in one skillet, so I’m not rage-cleaning dishes at 8pm
- Feels indulgent but tracks clean: 31g fat, 50g protein, only 3g net carbs
🧾 Ingredients That Kept It Keto
- Chicken breasts (8 oz each) – High-protein, zero-carb anchor
- Cremini mushrooms – 1 cup sliced = ~2g net carbs, great umami depth
- Heavy cream – 1 cup = fat bomb base, thickens as it simmers
- Grated parmesan – Thickens naturally without starch, adds a salty bite
- Garlic cloves – Flavor base, but not overdone (2 cloves = ~1g net carbs total)
- Fresh thyme – Boosts richness, totally worth it. Dried works too (1/2 tsp)
- Bacon (optional but encouraged) – Adds smokiness, fat, and flavor
- Olive oil – For that golden sear. Avocado oil works too
- Cajun seasoning – Optional kick. Watch for added sugars in store-bought blends
- Sea salt + black pepper – Because seasoning is not optional
🔁 Keto Swaps That Actually Work
| Want to Change It? | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Swap chicken thighs | Go for it. Juicier and more forgiving on cook time |
| Use coconut cream | Works well, just skip the parmesan (or use less) unless you want coconut Alfredo vibes |
| Skip the bacon | You can, but you’ll miss the smoky depth—consider smoked paprika instead |
| Add spinach or kale | Stir it in with the cream to wilt it gently—great volume, no carb hit |
⚠️ What Went Sideways (And Why)
| What Went Wrong | Why It Happens | How to Fix It |
|---|---|---|
| Watery sauce | Mushrooms released too much liquid | Cook ‘em longer before adding cream |
| Grainy texture | Used pre-shredded parmesan | Use grated, and melt it slowly |
| Overcooked chicken | Too high heat or too long | Pull at 162°F, rest in sauce to finish |
| Sauce broke after reheating | Heat too high | Reheat low and slow, stir frequently |
👩🍳 How to Make It (Step-by-Step)
- Dry the chicken with paper towels—trust me, this is how you get that sear
- Season with salt & pepper
- Sear in oil over medium-high—4–6 min per side (165°F for breast, 170°F for thighs)
- Remove chicken, set aside
- Sauté mushrooms + garlic + thyme in same skillet (add bacon if using), cook until browned and dry—about 5 mins
- Add heavy cream and simmer gently—do not boil
- Stir in parmesan, melt until creamy and smooth
- Return chicken to skillet, spoon sauce over, heat through
- Garnish with more parm or parsley if you’re feeling fancy
🧠 My Go-To Low-Carb Hacks
- I batch-cook bacon in the oven and keep chopped pieces in the freezer—saves time and adds instant flavor
- Use a microplane to grate parmesan ultra-fine—it melts in smoother and thickens faster
- If reheating, I sometimes stir in a spoonful of cream cheese to revive the texture (trust me—it works)
🧊 Freezing + Reheating Without Ruining It
- Fridge: 3–4 days sealed airtight
- Freezer: 2–3 months—cream might separate slightly, but it comes back together if you stir gently while reheating
- Reheat tip: Low heat on stovetop > microwave. Add a splash of cream if needed.
❓ Can I Eat This on Keto? (Yes, Here’s Why)
- No hidden thickeners
- 3g net carbs per serving
- High-fat, high-protein without weird keto “product” ingredients
- Cajun spice? Just double-check there’s no added sugar
Nutrition Facts
Per Serving
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 535 kcal |
| Total Fat | 35.2 g |
| – Saturated Fat | 16.3 g |
| Protein | 52.6 g |
| Total Carbs | 3.9 g |
| – Fiber | 0.5 g |
| – Net Carbs | 3.4 g |
| Sugars | 1.8 g |
| Cholesterol | 215 mg |
| Sodium | 1080 mg |
| Potassium | 720 mg |
| Calcium | 180 mg |
| Iron | 1.3 mg |
Check out More Recipes:
- Low Carb Keto Creamy Garlic Chicken
- Low Carb Keto Creamy Lemon Chicken
- Low Carb Keto Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast
- Low Carb Keto Chicken Stuffed Peppers
Low Carb Keto Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Description
Juicy chicken in a creamy garlic parmesan mushroom sauce—rich, low-carb, and keto-friendly. One pan, 20 minutes, and under 4g net carbs per serving.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper.
- Sear in oil over medium-high heat, 4–6 mins per side. Remove and cover.
- Sauté mushrooms, garlic, thyme, and bacon (if using) until mushrooms are browned and moisture is gone—about 5 mins.
- Add cream, simmer gently.
- Stir in parmesan until melted and smooth.
- Return chicken, spoon sauce over, heat through.
- Garnish and serve hot.
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