A chicken marsala with no wine, gluten free, and migraine safe – that can’t possibly be good, right? I’m here to tell you that it is possible and it’s also quite delicious.
In all honesty, I probably should have named this “Chicken in a Mushroom Cream Sauce”, but it just doesn’t have the same feeling that comes from “Chicken Marsala”. Do you guys have the same memory of Chicken Marsala that I do as one of the ultimate family dinner staples? It’s the kind of dinner your mom serves on a night that everyone sits down at the dinner table and no one complains about what’s on the plate. It was truly one of my favorite meals growing up.
Reading: how to make marsala sauce without wine
Table of Contents
About Marsala Wine & MSG
The traditional Chicken Marsala recipe requires Marsala wine, a fortified wine with a rich savory flavor. Unfortunately wine, especially a wine of this type, can be a huge migraine trigger for many. It can also upset vestibular symptoms.
Contrary to popular belief, alcohol does not completely cook out of a dish. In fact, according to the USDA, in a dish that’s cooked this long it would only burn off about 40%. And if you’re sensitive to sulfites, reducing alcohol just concentrates them in a smaller surface area as they do not burn off like alcohol does.
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Another factor to consider is whether you have a high sensitivity to MSG. Mushrooms contain free glutamates, so a few people find they are sensitive to them in the same way they would from added MSG. While mushrooms are allowed on Heal Your Headache and MANY can eat them with no issue, it is something to watch for, especially if you eat them often.
Mushrooms & Glutamate
White or cremini mushrooms are the lowest on the spectrum when compared to shiitake or enokitake, which are higher in glutamate. To give you some perspective, the Glutamate Association(apparently this is a thing) estimates there are 180mg in a 100 gram serving (about 4 ounces).
In parmesan cheese, there are 1,680mg in the same amount. Other items on the high end include fish sauce, soy sauce, aged cheeses, and walnuts. This is one of the reasons they should be eliminated on a migraine diet along with their higher tyramine content.
Read more: How to make caramel sauce from canned condensed milk
As I said on instagram this week, one of the big reasons I started this site was so people could live their lives as normal as possible. A large factor in feeling good is being able to enjoy the things you love with family and friends. A migraine diet doesn’t have to mean that you have to separate your life (or meals) from others. I hope this dinner encourages you to sit down and enjoy a meal with your family this week. I promise even the pickiest eaters will hardly notice a difference.
Does It Taste the Same?
While Marsala wine does add complexity to the dish, going alcohol free doesn’t mean this dish lacks flavor. Garlic combined with heavy cream is always delicious, but adding the vinegar allows you achieve a similar acidity that you would get with wine. Thyme leaves and a bit of mustard powder heighten the flavor. I promise you will not be disappointed!
Tips for Cooking
- A light dusting of flour provides a crispy, brown exterior to the chicken breast, but this can also be achieved through white rice flour or arrowroot powder for those who are gluten free.
- Wipe your mushrooms with a damp cloth to clean them rather than running them under cool water. This will allow them to not become water-logged and get a nice brown caramelization when you cook them.
- Also don’t crowd your pan when cooking the mushrooms, as they release moisture, they will steam instead of brown if you put too many in the pan. You may need to work in batches.
Other Alcohol-Free Recipes:
Steamed Clams in Herbed Butter Broth Wine-Free Short Ribs Pear Mojito Mocktail
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