Green Goddess Chicken Plate is full of mouthwatering & fresh flavours! It’s made with real and wholesome ingredients like chicken, cabbage, tahini, fresh herbs & lemon juice. It’s quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for the busy work week.
Don’t you hate it when you forget to take frozen meat out of the freezer the night before your planned dinner?
Or maybe you decide on a recipe (like this one) last minute, but your ground chicken is frozen solid?
These scenarios are not uncommon in my world. There’s been numerous times where I forget to take meat out of the freezer with enough time to thaw out in the fridge OR I decide on a recipe last minute with only frozen meat on hand.
I’m assuming I’m not alone with my frozen meat problems, so I decided to give you some quick tips for thawing out frozen ground meat safely!
The first method is best, BUT the second method comes in handy for those who forget to thaw out their meat using the first method or are last minute planners.
THE LONG THAW METHOD:
If you have 12 to 24 hours…
If you know ahead of time that you want to use your ground meat, thawing it in the refrigerator is the safest way to do so. It takes about 24 hours to fully thaw one pound of ground beef in the refrigerator.
THE QUICK THAW METHOD:
If you have 30-minutes to 1 hour…
With less than an hour to go before dinner and a pound of frozen ground meat in your hands, you can defrost it in a bowl of cold water. Make sure the frozen meat is in a sealed package, then submerge it in a bowl of cold tap water. Important note: DO NOT use warm or hot water since this will heat the outer layer of meat too quickly, risking the growth of bacteria. For this reason, you should also change the water to keep it from getting too warm. One pound of meat will take about one hour to defrost in a bowl of water, then it should be cooked right away.
Now that we’ve solved your frozen meat problems, it’s time to try this super delicious Chicken Green Goddess Plate!
I used cabbage as a base for this recipe since I always have it on hand–it lasts long in the fridge and is super versatile. If you’re not a fan of cabbage feel free to substitute it with riced cauliflower, spaghetti squash, salad or another base of choice.
Green Goddess Chicken Plate is full of mouthwatering & fresh flavours! It's made with real and wholesome ingredients like chicken, cabbage, tahini, fresh herbs & lemon juice. It's quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for the busy work week. Paleo, Keto & Low-Carb.
For cabbage: Using a deep stove-top pan heat 2 tbsp avocado oil, add cabbage and season with sea salt. Cook at medium heat, mixing occasionally, until cabbage is tender and begins to brown slightly. Remove from heat and mix in olive oil.
For chicken: While cabbage is cooking, cook chicken in another stove-top pan. Break meat apart, season with salt and pepper and cook until meat browns slightly.
For dressing: Add all ingredients into a blender or food processor and blend/process until smooth.
Place sauteed cabbage on plate, add chicken on top then drizzle with dressing. Enjoy!
Notes
If you're not a fan of cabbage or don't have it on hand, feel free to substitute it with riced cauliflower, spaghetti squash, salad or another base of choice.
Chang’s Spicy Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious & spicy sauce. This gluten & soy free Chang’s Chicken recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. It uses whole food, high-quality ingredients, PLUS heat stable oil for frying. A true guilt-free pleasure for those living a healthy lifestyle!
This recipe is not only super yummy, but it’s also fun to create! So, gather your family or significant other and plan a date night in the kitchen where you can have some fun creating the most delicious Asian-inspired recipe you’ll ever taste!
Enjoy on its own, with a side of steamed veggies or on top of cauliflower “rice”.
When making Asian-inspired dishes (like this one), I coat my chicken in arrowroot powder and then fry in heat stable avocado oil. This creates a crispy coating on the chicken that absorbs sauce and tastes delicious!
Want more healthy Asian-inspired recipes? You’re going to love these …
Chang's Spicy Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious & spicy sauce. This gluten & soy free Chang's Chicken recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. It uses whole food, high-quality ingredients, PLUS heat stable oil for frying. A true guilt-free pleasure for those living a healthy lifestyle!
Cut chicken into 1-inch cubes and place in a large bowl with arrowroot flour, salt & pepper. Toss until chicken is coated. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, whisk together all sauce ingredients (or use a blender to combine ingredients). Set aside.
Cover the bottom of a large frying pan with avocado oil and heat until it begins to sizzle. Add coated chicken cubes to the hot oil. You may need to do this in two batches if your frying pan is not big enough. Cook each batch for about 10 minutes, turning mid-way through, until all sides are golden. Set chicken aside.
Once all chicken is browned, add back into the hot skillet. Whisk sauce once more & pour into the skillet with chicken. Add 3/4 of the green onions (save the rest for garnish) & cook, stirring until sauce thickens & chicken is well-coated.
Top with remaining green onions and enjoy on its own, with steamed veggies or on top of cauliflower "rice"!
Keyword arrowroot flour, asian food, avocado oil, chicken, coconut aminos, grain free, healthy asian recipe, healthy dinner
Egg Roll in a Bowl in the perfect weekday or weekend dinner. It’s easy to prepare, full of delicious Asian flavour and healthy, of course! Give this paleo, low-carb, keto & soy free dish a try!
DID YOU KNOW? Coconut aminos is a salty, savory seasoning sauce made from the fermented sap of coconut palm and sea salt, making it a popular substitute for soy sauce.
Coconut aminos is milder and sweeter in flavour, but similar in color and consistency to light soy sauce–and even though it’s made from coconut sap, it doesn’t taste like coconut.
It’s free of soy, wheat and gluten, therefore a healthier alternative to soy sauce for those with certain food allergies or sensitivities. It also contains 65% less sodium than regular soy sauce.
So, if you’re adjusting your diet to reduce salt, avoid gluten or eliminate soy, coconut aminos is a great alternative.
You can find coconut aminos in health-food stores, the health aisles of most grocery stores & online. Be sure to store your coconut aminos in the fridge after opening.
Egg Roll in a Bowl is the perfect weekday or weekend dinner. It’s easy to prepare, full of delicious Asian flavour and packed with healthy, wholesome ingredients.This delicious dish is paleo, low-carb, gluten & soy free. You'll be sure to put this recipe on repeat!
In a large skillet or pot, heat avocado oil over medium heat.
Add onions, carrots and cabbage. Season with salt and cook until tender, stirring often for about 15 minutes.
Add ginger, garlic, coconut aminos and vinegar. Continue stirring and cook for another 5 minutes.
Add ground chicken and season with salt and black pepper. Break up the meat into small pieces with a wooden spoon. Continue stirring until the meat has cooked through - about 10 minutes. (Note: Chicken can also be cooked in a separate pan then added to the pot. I prefer this method since you can brown the ground chicken and get more flavour).
Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl using a fork. If sauce is too thick add a tablespoon of water in at a time to thin it out.
Once meat is cooked, turn off heat and mix in 3/4 of the sauce. Coat cabbage mixture in sauce.
Plate and drizzle remaining sauce over top. Garnish with sliced green onion.
This Orange Chicken is made with crispy fried chicken covered in a flavourful orange sauce! It’s free of gluten, soy & sugar making it a healthy alternative to traditional Chinese take-out, yet still comforting and delicious! This recipe is paleo friendly and can also be modified for an AIP diet. Serve over cauliflower “rice” or with steamed veggies.
DID YOU KNOW? Arrowroot powder is a starchy substance that’s extracted from the root of a tropical plant known as Maranta arundinacea – and is frequently used in gluten-free, paleo cooking.
Sometimes arrowroot powder is referred to as arrowroot flour or arrowroot starch, but they’re all the same thing – a white, powdery starch that’s naturally gluten & grain-free, plant-based and paleo-friendly.
Because arrowroot is not a grain, many people (especially those with IBS or digestive issues) find that arrowroot powder is easier to digest and therefore does not cause symptoms like gas, bloating, etc. It also contains more fiber than potatoes and other starches, which helps promote healthy bowel function.
Arrowroot powder works great as a thickener and can easily replace cornstarch. It’s also great for frying, roasting and baking since it can add crisp and crunch to your food.
Unlike cornstarch, arrowroot powder is extracted in simpler, more traditional methods, without the use of high heat or harsh chemicals.
When making Asian dishes (like my Orange Chicken), I coat my chicken in arrowroot powder and then fry in heat stable avocado oil. This creates a crispy coating on the chicken that absorbs sauce and tastes delicious!
This Orange Chicken is made with crispy fried chicken covered in a flavourful orange sauce! It's free of gluten, soy & sugar making it a healthy alternative to traditional Chinese take-out, yet still comforting and delicious! This recipe is paleo friendly and can also be modified for an AIP diet. Serve over cauliflower "rice" or with steamed veggies.
2lbs.boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size chunks
1/4cuparrowroot starch/flour
Avocado oil
Sea salt & pepper, to taste
Orange Sauce:
2/3cuphot water
4medjool dates, pitted
⅓cuporange juice, shop for best quality or use fresh squeezed
3tbspcoconut aminos
2tbspapple cider vinegar or rice vinegar
1/2tspground ginger
1/2tspgarlic powder
1/2tspred pepper flakes, omit for AIP version
1tsparrowroot starch/flour + 1 tbsp water
Zest of 1 orange
Garnish:
1/2orange, chunked
1green onion, finely chopped
Instructions
Chicken:
Cover the bottom of a large frying pan with avocado oil and heat until it begins to sizzle.
While oil is heating, combine arrowroot flour, sea salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and mix. Add chicken chunks and coat. Remove the chicken, shaking off extra flour and add to hot oil. You may need to do this in batches if your frying pan is not big enough.
Cook each batch for about 10 minutes, turning mid-way through, until all sides are golden. Set chicken aside.
Orange Sauce:
Place dates and hot water in a food processor or high speed blender and let soak for 10-15-minutes, then process/blend until a smooth date paste forms.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the orange juice, date paste, vinegar, coconut aminos, ginger, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Whisk and let come to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer.
In a small bowl, whisk 1 tsp of arrowroot with 1 tbsp of water to form a paste. Add this to the orange sauce and whisk well. Raise the heat back to medium until sauce thickens/reduces. Remove from heat and stir in the orange zest.
Toss the chicken with the orange sauce (reheat if necessary), garnish with green onion & orange chunks & serve with your choice of side.
Paleo General Tso’s Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious sauce. This gluten & soy free General Tso’s Chicken recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. It uses whole food, high-quality ingredients, PLUS heat stable oil for frying. A true guilt-free pleasure for those living a healthy lifestyle!
I honestly thought my days of general tso’s chicken were long gone until the BF and I attempted this mind-blowing recipe.
Even though this recipe takes about an hour of prep (with two people in the kitchen), we made it twice within the last month because it’s just so damn good. Plus, we’re both big foodies and excited to spend time in the kitchen if it means good food in our bellies.
As a matter of fact, if we had to describe our perfect date night it would probably go something like this …
We’d start with a trip to the grocery store and load up on some healthy ingredients for a dish that we want to create that night. I’d probably take 10-minutes to find the freshest chicken with the latest expiry date while he gives me the “Are you for real?” look.
From there, we’d head back home and decide who’s doing what in the kitchen and set clear boundaries because according to some people (I won’t mention any names), boundaries are very important in a kitchen.
After making a mess and crossing all boundaries that were set, we’d chow down our creation and then discuss whether the dish is blog worthy over a glass of wine or two (OK fine, the entire bottle!). Oh, wait! Before all of that happens, I would spend another 10-minutes taking 50 photos of the same dish in hopes that one of them will turn out good for my blog.
AND that’s how our perfect date night would unfold – and usually does.
So, grab your significant other or friend and plan a date night in the kitchen where you can have some fun creating the most delicious general tso’s chicken you’ll ever taste!
Paleo General Tso's Chicken is crispy tender pan-fried chicken coated in a delicious sauce. This gluten & soy free General Tso's Chicken recipe is a healthier take on the classic takeout dish. It uses whole food, high-quality ingredients, PLUS heat stable oil for frying. A true guilt-free pleasure for those living a healthy lifestyle!
1.5lbschicken breasts or thighs, cut into small chunks
1head cauliflower
1/4cuparrowroot starch/flour
1red/yellow/orange pepper, sliced into small sticks
1/2yellow onion, sliced
Avocado oil
Sea salt & pepper
1green onion, chopped (optional garnish)
General Tso's Sauce
4clovesgarlic
2tbspFrank's RedHot, or Siracha
1tbspground ginger
2dates , or 1 tbsp honey
2tbspsesame oil
1/4cupcoconut aminos
2tbsp.water
Instructions
Chop cauliflower into chunks, put in food processor and process into rice like consistency. Place on baking sheet, add 2 tbsp. avocado oil and sea salt then mix. Bake at 400F for 30-minutes while prepping other ingredients.
Cover the bottom of a large frying pan with avocado oil and heat until it begins to sizzle.
While oil is heating, combine arrowroot flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl and mix. Add chicken chunks and coat. Remove the chicken, shaking off extra flour and add to hot oil. You may need to do this in two batches if your frying pan is not big enough.
Cook each batch for about 10 minutes, turning mid-way through, until all sides are golden. Set chicken aside.
Add red pepper and onion to a large pot with 1 tbsp avocado oil and cook for 5-minutes or until tender.
While veggies cook, blend all sauce ingredients until smooth.
Add chicken and sauce to pot with red pepper and onion. Turn to low heat and mix to coat chicken with sauce for 1-2 minutes.
Top cauliflower "rice" with general tso's chicken, garnish with green onion and enjoy!
This Chicken Soup recipe is soul warming and a great natural remedy during cold and flu season. It’s easy to make with simple and wholesome ingredients like chicken & vegetables. The perfect AIP, paleo & keto chicken soup recipe!
It’s time that I share my family’s chicken soup recipe, which I learned from my mom (aka. Mama J) – and she learned from my Nonna (a.k.a. Ma).
Back in my Little Jen days, Mama J would whip up a batch of her magic soup when I had Little Jen sniffles. She took good care of me – and still does even though I’m all grown up.
AND now Big Jen makes this magic soup for Mama J when she’s not feeling well. Ahhhhh, the circle of life.
So, if you’re craving a warm bowl of chicken soup or you’re looking for a great natural remedy during cold and flu season, I definitely recommend giving this recipe a try. It’s gluten, grain and dairy free.
P.S. I made a couple of modifications to the original recipe, which brings out extra flavour in the soup. Technically, you don’t have to sear the chicken and slightly cook the veggies before adding water, but the extra steps are well worth it 😉
This Chicken Soup recipe is soul warming and a great natural remedy during cold and flu season. It's easy to make with simple ingredients like chicken & vegetables. The perfect AIP, paleo & keto chicken soup recipe!
Heat oil in a large pot and sear chicken breasts, 2-minutes per side. Set breasts aside.
Add onions and garlic into pot, stir and sauté until fragrant.
Add carrots and celery and mix together with onions.
Add chicken breasts back into pot and fill pot with ~4L of filtered water.
Add salt and bring to a boil. Let boil for a couple of minutes then reduce to a simmer and cover.
Let cook for at least 1-hour. The longer you cook the more flavour you'll get.
Remove chicken from pot, place on a plate and shred.
If you want pureed chicken soup, add soup (minus the chicken) to a blender and blend until smooth. Add shredded chicken in after blending.
If you want a chunky chicken soup, leave as is and just add shredded chicken to the soup.
Notes
Feel free to skip the steps where you sear the chicken and slightly cook vegetables. These steps do help to create a more flavourful soup, but are not necessary.
My mission is to help women heal their gut, lose weight and feel great through simple and delicious smoothies, whole food nutrition & healthy lifestyle habits.
