Easy Low Carb Keto Chicken Marbella
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Low carb keto Chicken Marbella is just as delicious as the original but sugar free! Great for an easy keto dinner, and a perfect low carb dinner party recipe!

I admit this low carb keto Chicken Marbella recipe is probably 99% self-serving. I love love love Chicken Marbella but the original recipe has SO.MUCH.SUGAR. What a blood sugar roller coaster that would put me on. So I finally decided to make it keto-friendly so I could enjoy it again.
Then I got to thinking that maybe there are others following a keto diet that miss it too! Is that you?
How To Make Chicken Marbella Keto Friendly
The traditional Chicken Marbella recipe includes LOADS of sugar. In this recipe, we’re adding strong plum tea to the marinade as a substitute for the prune flavor. In place of the brown sugar, we’re using brown swerve.
Other Changes To The Original Chicken Marbella Recipe
In this keto Chicken Marbella adaptation, we’re searing the chicken pieces on the stovetop and deglazing the pan with the white wine before baking. This browning creates a much richer flavor.
I’ve also cut the size of the recipe way down so it works better for a family dinner. The original recipe called for four whole chickens! I love leftovers, but that would be too much for our family.
The Origin Of Chicken Marbella
Despite its name, Chicken Marbella famously isn’t Spanish. It was created by New York caterer Sheila Lukins and her business partner Julee Rosso, and published in the Silver Palate cookbook in 1982. While there are many stories about the partnership dissolving, you can read more about Sheila Lukins iconic career in her 2009 NYT obituary.
Can I Make Keto Chicken Marbella With Boneless Chicken or with Thighs?
Sure can! Traditionally, the recipe calls for quartering whole chickens. I’ve written this adaption to use chicken pieces (bone-in thighs and breasts), and you should feel free to use whichever cuts of chicken you prefer. My grocery store is often out of ethically raised bone-in chicken breasts, so I’ve tried everything from bone-in skin on to boneless skinless. All are delicious.
If you’re throwing a low carb dinner party, try a variety of bone-in thighs, breasts, and drumsticks. If you’re cooking dinner for your family just make it easy and buy the cuts your kiddos will eat!
What To Serve With Keto Chicken Marbella
Keto Chicken Marbella is comfort food, with plenty of delicious pan drippings. I love serving it with mashed cauliflower or cauliflower rice. Here are a few recipe ideas:
- Keto Mashed Cauliflower from Fat For Weight Loss
- Keto Dinner Rolls from Cast Iron Keto
- Garlic Parmesan Cauliflower Rice from Kirbie’s Cravings
Low Carb Keto Chicken Marbella
Ingredients
- 8 Pieces Bone In Chicken (5-6 lb), or your favorite cuts
- 10 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1/4 Cup Red Wine Vinegar
- 1/4 Cup Avocado Oil
- 1/2 Cup Strong Plum Tea
- 1 Cup Spanish Olives, pitted
- 1/4 Cup Capers
- 2 Tbsp Oregano, dried
- 2 Each Bay Leaves
- 2 tsp Salt
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper, ground
- 1/2 Cup Dry White Wine
- 1/2 Cup Brown Swerve
- 2 Tbsp Fresh Italian Parsley
Instructions
For The Marinade
- In a large bowl, combine garlic, red wine vinegar, avocado oil, plum tea, olives, capers, oregano, bay leaves, salt, and pepper. Add chicken and toss to coat with the marinade. Allow the chicken to marinate for at least 60 minutes, or as long as overnight.
To Cook The Chicken
- Sear the chicken pieces in a large saute pan over high heat, reserving the marinade. Transfer the chicken pieces to a 9×13 casserole dish and pour the reserved marinade over the top.
- Deglaze the saute pan with the white wine, scraping up the browned bits and pour the pan drippings over the chicken.
- Sprinkle the brown swerve over the top of the chicken pieces.
- Bake the chicken at 375 degrees F for 30-45 minutes, until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. Optionally, sprinkle the italian parsley over the top.
Nutrition facts have been calculated using Cronometer, with the carbs from all erythritol and allulose sweeteners subtracted because I do not personally have to bolus insulin for Swerve, erythritol, or allulose as a Type 1 (autoimmune) Diabetic. All Bake It Keto recipes have been tried and used successfully, but results may vary from person to person. All information provided regarding nutrition on the Website is intended to be used for informational purposes only. I am not a nutritionist. Consult your medical professional before using any recipe if you have concerns about how you may individually react to the use of any particular recipe or ingredient. By voluntarily creating and using any recipe provided here, you assume the risk of any potential injury that may result. Please see my full disclosures at https://www.bakeitketo.com/disclosures-privacy-policy/.
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