Italian night doesn’t have to be a carb-fest! This Keto chicken puttanesca recipe is so good there’s nothing diet about it!
What is Puttanesca?
Puttanesca is an Italian sauce with a history as sharp as its aroma. The name translates to something like “lady of the night,” and there is much speculation as to why it was so named.
Indeed, “night shifts” were common back in the day the sauce was created, in the thick of World War II. Some said the sauce was popular because it was so easy to make in between clients, while others say the smell of it cooking would draw in potential customers.
Its name is quite possibly the product of its fragrance, which can be strong. Traditional puttanesca sauce contains tomatoes, anchovies, olives, capers, and garlic. Puttanesca might also contain red pepper flakes and chile peppers.
As you can imagine, it’s not a wimpy sauce.
It’s often eaten over pasta. Spaghetti is a popular choice.
How I Made This Keto
Sorry folks — I can’t offer you pasta here. Noodles are basically strands of carbs with the power to jolt you out of ketosis, so that’s not going to work.
That said, the sauce is pretty innocent for Keto. If you enjoy it, or think you might enjoy it, there’s no reason to miss out.
It is delicious with chicken, and meat is a much better choice for your Keto diet than pasta. I chose drumsticks, which offer great flavor and fat, which is helpful in achieving ketosis.
If you’d rather stick closer to the real thing, you could use a Keto noodle such as zucchini or shirataki noodles. This article will tell you everything you need to know about making pasta Keto.
More Italian Keto Recipes
Who doesn’t love Italian food? It’s romantic, indulgent, and oh-so-satisfying. Rich flavor, creamy sauces, luscious layers…Italian food is everything.
Well, it’s everything except Keto. Those Italians love their pasta, so there is some creativity needed in order to keep the flavor of Italy without all the carbs.
Thankfully, I’ve done the work for you! Check out this page of 36 mouthwatering Keto Italian dishes.
Find all of your favorites with a Keto twist, and new ideas you’ll simply love!
No pasta, no problem! Make lemon-garlic Keto pasta using yellow squash, or roasted garlic and artichoke stuffed chicken. You’ll even find lovely Italian desserts to top off your meal!
Preheat the oven to 355°F (180°C). Season the drumsticks with salt on all sides.
Heat the olive oil in a pan and brown the drumsticks until the skin is golden and crispy. Remove the drumsticks from the pan and set aside.
Add the onion and garlic to the same pan and cook until partially caramelized. Deglaze the pan with the red wine (or water) and cook until all the wine is evaporated. Add the olives, diced tomatoes, and an additional 1/4 cup (60 ml) of water to the pan. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly.
Place the chicken drumsticks in a baking dish and cover with the hot tomato mixture.
Place the baking dish in the oven and bake in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. Season the dish with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste.
Garnish the dish with chopped fresh basil and serve.
Notes
All nutritional data are estimated and based on per serving amounts.
Louise co-founded Louise's Foods, Paleo Living Magazine, Nourishing Brands, & CoBionic. She has considerable research experience but enjoys creating products and articles that help move people just a little bit closer toward a healthy life they love.
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