It’s easy to give up on a diet when you’re not allowed to eat anything. It’s even worse when you hate the food you’re eating! Nobody has the motivation to cook foods they don’t like. When you’re on a diet like that you regress, and that’s when you reach for your phone and order Chinese takeout or your favorite pizza. The diet is destined to fail.
Now, a diet that works allows you to have fun with a variety of ingredients that you’ll actually enjoy eating. You’ll have a better chance of sticking to your diet if you like the food you’re eating, and when the food makes your body feel good. Better even yet, you’ll have a more positive outcome with your diet if you know what to cook with these ingredients.
Fortunately, the Paleolithic diet includes a diverse range of whole fresh foods to choose from. From lean meat and chicken to fresh fruits and vegetables, the menu variations are truly endless. The first thing you need to know is what types of foods are allowed on the Paleo diet. In short, the Paleo diet consists of foods that our ancestors would have consumed when supermarkets and manufacturers weren’t available; fresh foods that are found in nature. Fish like salmon and trout, seafood such as shrimp and shellfish, and meats- beef, chicken, lamb, turkey and others. You’re also allowed to eat eggs, preferably free range, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Nuts, seeds, healthy fats and oils, and herbs and spices are recommended. Now, do you think you can make something delicious from these ingredients? Of course you can!
Poultry is extremely versatile making it an easy beginner’s meat to use when starting out the Paleo diet. You have a variety of cuts to choose from- chicken breast, chicken thigh, chicken strips, and chicken liver. With the Paleo diet, you’re not just eating dry salads. You’ll forget you’re on a diet! Here are the 5 most easy and delicious Paleo chicken recipes to try this week!
1. Bacon BBQ Chicken
The best thing about this recipe is it can be done in a slow cooker! And that’s actually the preferred method here, as it’s a great way to infuse a lot of flavor into your meats because it cooks for a long time. So if you have a crock pot or slow cooker and some chicken breasts in your freezer and are wondering what to do for dinner tonight, this recipe is for you.
What You’ll Need:
For the Paleo homemade BBQ sauce:
6 Oz tomato paste
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup balsamic vinegar
6 Pitted dates
3 Tbsp dijon mustard
1 Tsp garlic powder
1 Tsp onion powder
1 Tsp sea salt
1 Tsp black pepper
1) Warm up all ingredients in a skillet. 2) Add mixture into blender and pulse for about 2 minutes. 3) Eat! Simple as that!
Now for the chicken! What You’ll Need:
6 Boneless & skinless chicken breasts
12 Bacon slices
Homemade BBQ sauce
2 Fuji apples
That doesn’t seem like that many ingredients at all, does it? Don’t worry! The dish will be packed with flavor and taste amazing next to a bed of greens or a fresh salad. Wrap the chicken breasts with bacon and put them into the slow cooker. Add sliced Fuji apples on top and smother with BBQ sauce. Cook in the slow cooker on high for 4 hours and enjoy!
2. Tuscan Chicken
Paleo food is about whole natural flavors. Meat and vegetables married in a natural sauce creating a delicious earthy meal. This easy Tuscan chicken dinner has it all, and it is perfect for a busy weeknight because you can whip it up in no time.
What You’ll Need:
4 Chicken thighs
1/2 Chopped red onion
3 Chopped garlic cloves
1 Cup sun-dried tomatoes
1 Cup mushrooms
1 Cup fire roasted diced tomatoes
2 Tbsp coconut oil
Salt & pepper to taste
2 Bunches thyme
Heat up coconut oil in a skillet and add the onion and garlic. Sauté for a few minutes until onion is translucent. Make sure you do not burn the garlic. Add chicken thighs and cook for 5 minutes on each side, browning the chicken. Now you’re ready to add the rest of the ingredients: sun-dried tomatoes, fire roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, thyme, salt and pepper. Cook for about 30 minutes until chicken is done. It’s a one skillet meal that’s ready in under an hour.
3. Chicken Piccata With Zucchini Noodles
Craving spaghetti? No need to kick your Paleo diet just yet. Just have some zuchinni noodles instead! Try this chicken piccata recipe with zucchini noodles, and you may never go back to regular pasta. Although the star of the dish is the lemony chicken.
What You’ll Need:
4 Chicken breasts (pounded to 1/2 inch thickness)
1/4 Cup almond flour
1/4 Cup drained capers
1 Lemon
1 Tbsp refined coconut oil
1/4 Cup chicken stock
1/2 Tsp salt & pepper
Cooked zucchini spirals
Coat the chicken breasts in almond flour and throw on a skillet filled with the tbsp of coconut oil. Make sure it is on medium and not high heat, as the almond flour can burn quickly. Season the chicken and brown on both sides for about 2 minutes. Pop the chicken into the oven at 350 degrees for about 15 minutes. Meanwhile in the same pan you sauteed the chicken in, add chicken stock, capers, and lemon juice. Return chicken to sauce pan, and cook together for another 5 minutes. To plate, add chicken and zuchinni noodles, smother with sauce all over, squeeze fresh lemon juice, and sprinkle with parsley.
4. Lemon Garlic Chicken
This recipe is as easy as it gets! All you need is a few simple staple ingredients and 45 minutes! This lemon garlic chicken is flavorful enough to eat on its own, or delicious paired with greens or cauliflower rice. Once you try it out, it’ll certainly be a weekly meal in your home!
What You’ll Need:
6 Chicken thighs
6 Garlic cloves (chopped)
2 Lemons (sliced)
2 Bunches fresh thyme
1 Tsp cumin
1/2 Tsp salt & pepper
1 Tsp coconut oil
First preheat your oven to 350 degrees. After that you’ll want to brown the chicken thighs on both sides so add the chicken thighs into a hot pan with coconut oil. Brown on each side for about 3 minutes, then add garlic and sauté for another 2 minutes. Move the chicken thighs and garlic over to an oven dish. Season with salt, pepper, and cumin. Place thyme on garlic chicken and cover with lemon slices. Cover with foil and cook in the oven for 30 minutes. Enjoy with a paleo side of your choice!
5. Chicken Chili
Another weeknight delight recipe is this paleo chicken chili. Prep time is nearly non existent, and dinner practically makes itself in a slow cooker. All you need is a few fresh ingredients and some spices.
What You’ll Need:
1 Red bell pepper chopped
1 Lb chicken thighs
1 Cup sliced mushrooms
3 Cloves minced garlic
3 Cups chicken broth
1/2 Tsp chili flakes
1/2 Tsp cumin
1/2 Tsp garlic powder
1/2 Tsp onion powder
Throw garlic, chicken thighs, chicken stock, and seasonings into slow cooker and cook for 3.5 hours on high. Remove and shred chicken thighs, and return to slow cooker. Add the mushrooms and bell pepper and cook an additional 20 minutes. Top with fresh avocado, cilantro, jalapeño, and a squeeze of lime juice!