Baked Chicken and Salsa

Make this protein-packed baked chicken and salsa for lunch or dinner! Chicken is known to be rich in protein and low in sodium. It also helps control blood pressure, lowers inflammation in the body, and promotes heart health. Incorporating a healthy and paleo-friendly salsa to this dish is very important! Using a salsa that includes organic tomatoes, onion, and cilantro will fill you up and provide you with various vitamins and nutrients. These ingredients help with boosting immunity, balancing blood sugar levels, and promoting good digestion. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 16 ounces chicken thighs

• 1 cup salsa

• Minced cilantro (optional, for garnish)

 Instructions:

1) Heat oven to 375 F. Line a covered baking dish with parchment paper.

2) Place chicken thighs in dish and put 2 tbsp of salsa on each one.

3) Bake covered for 60 minutes until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink (internal temperature should be at least 170 F).

4) Serve with minced cilantro as a garnish and enjoy!

Carrot Soup

Enjoy this hearty and flavorful carrot soup for lunch or dinner! Carrots are known to be rich in antioxidants, Vitamin C, and Vitamin A. They help aid in liver detoxification and boost kidney function as well! Onions improve immunity, help lower blood sugar levels, and help in improving digestion. They are rich in quercetin and chromium, which play an important role in insulin action. Tomatoes help reduce the risk of heart disease, maintain blood sugar balance, and are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Sprinkle on some black pepper and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp coconut oil

• ½ cup onions, chopped

• 4 large carrots, chopped

• 2 cups tomato puree, canned

• 3 cups vegetable broth

• 2 tbsp coconut aminos

• 2 dashes black pepper

• Sea salt to taste

Instructions:

1) Heat coconut oil in saucepan and cook onion until starts to brown.

2) Add carrots, tomato, and broth and bring to a boil.

3) Simmer until carrots are tender, about 15-20 minutes.

4) Carefully (hot!) use stick blender to blend until smooth.

5) Place in bowls and top with coconut aminos, black pepper, and sea salt to taste. Enjoy!

BBQ Chicken Poppers

Make these BBQ chicken poppers as an appetizer for your next get-together! Chicken is known to be a great source of protein, is low in sodium, and high in B vitamins. It also helps in reducing blood pressure and contains zinc, magnesium and iron! Using arrowroot starch is a great alternative to regular flour, as it is high in vitamins and minerals. It is also gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo friendly! When making this recipe, it’s important to incorporate the right BBQ sauce, which can be tricky. It’s best to opt for a sauce that is low in carbs, sugar, and is paleo friendly. Serve these chicken poppers with your favorite sauce and enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into chunks

• ⅓ cup arrowroot starch

• ⅓ cup and 2 tbsp melted coconut oil

• 1 ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 cup paleo BBQ sauce

Instructions:

1) Place sliced chicken into a bowl, ⅓ cup of coconut oil into a separate small bowl, and arrowroot starch with salt and pepper in another bowl.

2) Dip chicken in coconut oil, then coat in arrowroot starch. Next, set coated chicken on a dish. Repeat the process until all pieces of chicken are coated.

3) With the remaining 2 tbsp of coconut oil, melt in a large skillet over medium heat and begin to place coated chicken chunks in the skillet to crisp. Turn pieces until each are evenly crisp.

4) Once cooked all the way through, place chicken in a large mixing bowl. Let chicken cool before adding in paleo BBQ sauce. Mix until each piece is coated well. Enjoy!

Slow-Cooked BBQ Pork Chops

This slow-cooked BBQ pork chop recipe is not only tasty but will have your home smelling delicious while cooking in your slow cooker all day. Pork is known to be full of protein as well as low in sodium and fat. It is high in thiamin, vitamin B12, selenium, and zinc! Tomatoes are high in an antioxidant called lycopene, which helps reduce your risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. Maple syrup is an excellent alternative to refined sugar and a great source of manganese, which is important for bone health. Mustard and onion powder add just the right punch of flavor to this recipe and have powerful anti-microbial properties. If you are looking for a healthy comfort food recipe that cooks itself, you can’t go wrong with this BBQ pork chop recipe!

Ingredients:

• 12 oz pork chops

• 15 oz can tomato sauce

• 1/3 cup maple syrup

• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar

• 3/4 cup water

• 2 tsp mustard (ground)

• 3/4 tsp onion powder

• 1 tsp of smoked paprika

• 1 tsp of sea salt

Instructions:

1) Place all ingredients (except pork chops) in a medium sized pot and mix well.

2) Cook pot over stove top flame on high heat and bring ingredients to a simmer.

3) Once simmered, lower heat to medium and let cook for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside 1 cup of the BBQ sauce for this recipe. Let the remaining sauce cool to room temperature and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

4) Cover bottom of slow cooker with some BBQ sauce and place pork chops on top. Cover pork chops with remainder of BBQ sauce.

5) Cook on high for 5-6 hours until pork is cooked through (internal temperature should be at least 170F). Enjoy!