Tag Archives: chicken

Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

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Easy Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken - better than the food court! | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthier, dairy-free, low-sugar, nut-free, egg-free, can be made gluten-free

Bourbon chicken is often found in food courts but is covered in sticky (sugary) sauce. This recipe drastically reduces the added sugar (almost 1/2 cup in most recipes) to just 1 tablespoon, but you could give or take a little. If you stick to 1 tablespoon, you’re using about 1/8 of the sugar added to most recipes. You can also use chicken breasts, but it will be less traditional, and less tender and juicy. Chicken thighs are still considered a lean meat, but be sure to remove the skin or buy skinless chicken. This recipe uses low and slow heat to keep the chicken juicy, rather than any added fat. If you are not serving this meal right away, you can also skim the fat from the sauce once it is cooled or refrigerated. Also, use the best quality chicken you can afford – organic and free-range is preferred. If you cannot afford or find that, at least aim to buy chicken without antibiotics.

Although the name includes bourbon, there is none in this particular recipe. If you’d like, you can add 2-4 tablespoons of bourbon and reduce the apple juice by that amount.

Serve this meal with your choice of cooked whole grain (buckwheat – pictured, quinoa, brown rice, wild rice, etc.) and a green salad or other vegetables.

 

Easy Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken

Print recipe
Serves 5-6
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 4 hours
Total time 4 hours, 10 minutes
Meal type Main Dish
Make juicy and flavorful chicken at home, similar to the bourbon chicken in the food court, except with much less sugar and better quality ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2lb boneless skinless chicken thighs (organic and free-range preferred)
  • 1/4 cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1/4 cup apple juice (or substitute white wine)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger (minced)
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes

Directions

Step 1
In a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients except the chicken.
Step 2
Place chicken in a slow cooker, then pour sauce over. Move the chicken around so that it is covered with sauce and in an even layer.
Step 3
Cook on high for 4-6 hours.
Step 4
Remove chicken from slow cooker and slice. Optional: Pour sauce into a saucepan and simmer over low heat to reduce it until thickened, or mix a little cornstarch or arrowroot starch with water, then stir into sauce and cook, stirring constantly, until thickened.
Step 5
Pour remaining sauce over chicken. Serve over your favorite whole grain (try buckwheat, quinoa, or brown rice) and with a green salad.

Easy Slow Cooker Bourbon Chicken - better than the food court! | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthier, dairy-free, low-sugar, nut-free, egg-free, can be made gluten-free

Spicy Orange Chicken

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Spicy Orange Chicken | Guess Who's Cooking | Healthy, low carb, dairy free, and full of flavor! Gluten free if you use tamari, not soy sauce.

This spicy stir fry has a punch of orange flavor but is free of added sugar! Many Asian-style sauces have lots of added sugar, and that’s what makes them sticky (and not so healthy).

Spicy Orange Chicken

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Spicy Orange Chicken
Serves 4
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 20 minutes
Total time 30 minutes
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free
Meal type Lunch, Main Dish
This spicy stir fry has a punch of orange flavor but is free of added sugar! Many Asian-style sauces have lots of added sugar, and that's what makes them sticky (and not so healthy).

Ingredients

  • 1lb boneless skinless chicken breast (cubed)
  • juice of 1 orange (about 1/2 cup)
  • zest of 1 orange (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1/3 cup low sodium chicken broth
  • 1/4 cup low sodium tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tablespoon chili sauce, such as sambal oelek
  • 1 clove garlic (minced)
  • 1/2 Medium onion (diced)
  • 1 cup broccoli florets
  • 2 cups bell pepper (chopped)
  • 2 tablespoons oil, such as canola, peanut, or grapeseed (divided)

Directions

Step 1
In a medium bowl, marinate chicken in orange juice for about 20 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, combine chicken broth, tamari and orange zest and set aside.
Step 3
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain orange juice from chicken and place chicken in pan. Cook, stirring occasionally, until chicken in golden on the outside and opaque on the inside. Remove from pan.
Step 4
Add remaining oil to pan, then add onions and cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Add broccoli and cook 2 minutes. Add bell peppers, and cook 2 minutes.
Step 5
Add chicken back to pan and stir. Pour sauce over mixture and stir. Cook until heated thoroughly and vegetables are just fork tender.

Asian Chicken Marinade

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Asian Chicken Marinade | GuessWhosCooking.com | Healthy, easy, simple, gluten free, dairy free

This simple, healthy Asian-flavored marinade can be used for baked or grilled chicken.

Asian Chicken Marinade

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Serves 4 - 6
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 30 minutes
Total time 35 minutes
This simple, healthy Asian-flavored marinade can be used to bake or grill chicken.

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons low sodium tamari
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon cooking oil, such as grapeseed, canola, or olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic
  • 1 teaspoon minced ginger
  • 1 - 1 1/2lb boneless skinless chicken (breast, thighs, or both)

Directions

Step 1
Combine all ingredients except chicken in a medium bowl, mixing well. Add chicken, cover with marinade, and cover the bowl. Refrigerate for 2-24 hours.
Step 2
Grill chicken on an outdoor grill or on a stovetop grill pan, flipping once nice grill marks have formed, until internal temperature reaches 165° F, or finish in oven once both sides have nice grill marks. Another option is to bake at 350° F until internal temperature reaches 165° F, about 20-30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the chicken.
Step 3
Serve sliced or chopped on a salad.

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

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Although Chipotle’s barbacoa is made with beef only, this recipe tastes very similar and just as delicious, even though it is beef and chicken. By including shredded chicken in this recipe, the impact on the environment and your health is lessened, and it creates longer strands than lean stew beef alone, making it seem more authentic and improving the texture.

You can make extra sauce and store it in the freezer to cut down on prep time the next time you make this dish. Thaw the sauce before using.

Adapted from this recipe.

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa - slow cooker lean beef and chicken - guesswhoscooking.com

Copycat Chipotle Barbacoa

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Serves 8
Prep time 20 minutes
Cook time 6 hours
Total time 6 hours, 20 minutes
Although Chipotle’s barbacoa is made with beef only, this recipe tastes very similar and just as delicious, even though it is beef and chicken. By including shredded chicken in this recipe, the impact on the environment and your health is lessened, and it creates longer strands than lean stew beef alone, making it seem more authentic and improving the texture.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1lb stew meat
  • 1-2lb boneless skinless chicken breast or thighs
  • 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (or about 3 cloves)
  • 1 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3/4 teaspoons black pepper

Directions

Step 1
Heat coconut in a large skillet (stainless steel or cast iron preferred) on medium-high, then add stew beef. Cook until sides are browned, then place into slow cooker. Add chicken to pan and brown, then place into slow cooker.
Step 2
To make adobo sauce, combine apple cider vinegar, lime juice, chipotle chlies, garlic, cumin, oregano, black pepper, salt, and cloves in food processor and blend until smooth.
Step 3
Pour adobo sauce over meat and add bay leaves and chicken broth. Cook on high for 6 hours or on low for 8-10 hours.
Step 4
Remove meat from slow cooker and shred with two forks. Combine with remaining liquid and serve.

White Chicken Chili (Dairy-Free)

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Traditional white chicken chili recipes call for dairy, usually in the form of sour cream. This easy slow cooker recipe leaves out the dairy altogether, yet is still hearty and full of rich flavor. Use the highest quality of chicken you can afford (free-range organic preferred).

White Chicken Chili - Dairy-free, low-carb. guesswhoscooking.com

White Chicken Chili

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Serves 8
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 8 hours
Total time 8 hours, 10 minutes
White chicken chili recipes without dairy are nearly impossible to find. This easy slow cooker recipe leaves out the dairy, but is still supremely flavorful and hearty.

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 2 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound)
  • 1 bell peppers (diced)
  • 2 cups cauliflower florets (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 can white beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 2 cups low sodium chicken broth
  • 1 4 oz can diced green chilies
  • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tablespoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne (optional)
  • salt to taste
  • green onions and avocado (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1
Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add onions and cook for about 5 minutes or until they start to turn light brown. Add garlic and cook for 30-60 seconds, until fragrant. Remove from heat.
Step 2
Combine all remaining ingredients in a slow cooker except for green onions and avocado. Cook on low for 8-10 hours.
Step 3
Shred the chicken by removing and shredding with two forks, or mash it up in the slow cooker. Also mash the cauliflower. Add salt to taste if necessary. Serve with avocado and green onion.

White Chicken Chili - Dairy-free, low-carb. guesswhoscooking.com

Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

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Buffalo Chicken - slow cooker, easy, 2 main ingredients. guesswhoscooking.com

This easy slow cooker recipe really only requires 2 ingredients – chicken and buffalo wing sauce. Add onion and garlic to the slow cooker for extra flavor, but it’s not absolutely necessary. I used free-range organic chicken, and it was 1 package boneless skinless breasts (~1 pound) and 1 package boneless skinless thighs (~1 3/4 pound).

Use this chicken to complete a meal – make lettuce wraps, put it on a salad, top a pizza with it (try this cauliflower pizza crust), or whatever else your heart desires.

Easy Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken

Print recipe
Serves 8-12
Prep time 5 minutes
Cook time 6 hours
Total time 6 hours, 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2-3lb boneless skinless chicken (could do 1 package breasts, 1 package thighs)
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, peeled, smashed
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 bottle buffalo wing sauce

Directions

Step 1
Place chicken, onion, garlic, and water in a slow cooker and cook on high for 4-6 hours or low for 8 hours.
Step 2
Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred with 2 forks. Remove some of the onions from the slow cooker if you'd like and add to the chicken. Mix sauce with chicken, adding enough to coat the chicken but not so much that it is swimming in sauce.

Buffalo Chicken - slow cooker, easy, 2 main ingredients. guesswhoscooking.com

Cauliflower Pizza Crust - guesswhoscooking.com. dairy free, gluten free (option), low carb

Use this buffalo chicken to make a buffalo chicken pizza using this cauliflower pizza crust recipe.

Kung Pao Chicken

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Kung Pao Chicken - healthy, clean, natural, low carb, gluten free, dairy free. https://guesswhoscooking.com

Kung Pao Chicken

Print recipe
Serves 6
Prep time 10 minutes
Cook time 20 minutes
Total time 30 minutes
Allergy Peanuts, Soy, Tree Nuts
Dietary Diabetic, Gluten Free
Meal type Lunch, Main Dish
Misc Serve Hot
Occasion Casual Party, Formal Party
Region Chinese
This recipe isn't perfectly authentic, but it is tasty and uses pretty wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

  • 1lb chicken breast (cut into 1-inch cubes)
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 2 cups mushrooms (quartered)
  • 2 bell peppers (chopped)
  • 4-6 green onions (cut into 1-inch pieces)
  • 2 tablespoons corn starch (non-GMO and/or organic) (divided)
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 3 tablespoons reduced sodium tamari (divided)
  • 2 tablespoons sriracha sauce
  • 2 teaspoons rice wine vinegar
  • 10-12 dried red chiles
  • 1/4 cup nuts, such as peanuts or cashews

Directions

Step 1
In a medium bowl, combine chopped chicken with 1 tablespoon corn starch and 1 tablespoon tamari, Let sit for a few minutes while you chop the other vegetables.
Step 2
Preheat a wok over medium-high heat and add coconut oil. Add chicken and cook until all sides are opaque.
Step 3
Add mushrooms and cook for another 3-5 minutes. Add bell peppers and cook another 2-3 minutes. Add green onions and dried red chilis and cook for about 2 minutes.
Step 4
Meanwhile, combine tamari, rice wine vinegar, sriracha, and 1 tablespoon corn starch dissolved in 1 tablespoon water. Add to the wok after you finish cooking the chicken and vegetables. Stir to combine and turn down heat. Cook for 1-2 minutes or until sauce has thickened.
Step 5
Top with nuts and serve.

 

Kung Pao Chicken - healthy, clean, natural, low carb, gluten free, dairy free. https://guesswhoscooking.com

Kung Pao Chicken - healthy, clean, natural, low carb, gluten free, dairy free. https://guesswhoscooking.com

 

 

Italian Chicken Stir Fry

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Italian Stir Fry in Marinara Recipe - Healthy, natural, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin. Have this entree for lunch or dinner!

This is basically a stir fry, Italian style. The beauty is that you can use any kind of protein and vegetables, which makes it a great way to use up whatever is in your refrigerator. Vegetables that work well with Italian flavors are mushrooms, eggplant, squash (especially zucchini), tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and spinach, but feel free to add whatever you like. Protein options that could work in this dish include chicken, pork, ground beef, white (cannellini or navy) beans and maybe even organic tofu or tempeh. I have listed the vegetables and protein options that I chose in this recipe, but you can alter it however you’d like.

 

Time: 30-40 minutes

Serves: 4-6

Italian Stir Fry in Marinara Recipe - Healthy, natural, low-carb, gluten-free, dairy-free. Follow guesswhoscooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin. Have this entree for lunch or dinner!

Ingredients

2 (or 1 1/2 pounds) boneless skinless chicken breast, previously frozen and somewhat thawed (fresh is okay too. Organic and free-range preferred)

1 teaspoon coconut oil

2 bell peppers, chopped (organic preferred – these are part of the dirty dozen)

about 6 ounces or half a bag of frozen green beans

half bag of frozen chopped spinach, organic preferred

1 teaspoon minced garlic

2/3 jar of marinara, or enough to reach desired sauciness

1/4 cup green olive tapenade, available at Trader Joe’s (optional)

Salt & pepper to taste, if needed

 

Directions

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces (it’s much easier when partially frozen). Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, then add oil. Add chicken, stirring occasionally, until it is almost thoroughly cooked. Add bell peppers  and garlic and cook 1-2 minutes. Add green beans and cook 1-2 minutes. Add spinach and marinara, and cook until mixture is warmed throughout, stirring occasionally. Add salt and pepper to taste if necessary. Top with green olive tapenade for a kick of flavor and/or crushed red pepper (optional).

Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup

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Thai Coconut Curry Chicken Soup - low carb, gluten free, dairy free. Follow GuessWhosCooking.com on Twitter @guesswhoscookin

Ingredients

1 tablespoon virgin coconut oil

1 leek, white and light green parts only, thinly sliced

2 shallots, minced

2 carrots, diced (or more)

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast (about 2 medium-large), organic and free-range preferred

1 quart (4 cups) low sodium broth (chicken or vegetable) + 2 cups water (or more broth)

2 cups mushrooms, sliced

3-4 pieces baby bok choy, sliced lengthwise

2 tablespoons fish sauce

2 tablespoons red curry paste

2 teaspoons curry powder

2 teaspoons sriracha

1 15 ounce can full-fat coconut milk

1 lime, sliced into wedges

 

Directions

In a large stock pot, heat the coconut oil over medium heat. Add the leeks, shallots, and carrots, and cook for 2-3 minutes, until fragrant.

Add the chicken breasts and brown both sides, about 4 minutes per side. Be sure to stir the vegetables to prevent them from burning.

Add broth and water, bring to a boil, then simmer for at least 30 minutes (longer for more tender chicken).

Add mushrooms and bok choy and cook until they are almost tender. Add all remaining ingredients except sriracha and lime wedges, and heat thoroughly. Remove the chicken breasts from the soup and shred with two forks, then add back to the pot.

Serve with a squirt of sriracha and 1-2 lime wedges.

 

Notes

  • You can add whatever vegetables you like. In Thai food, carrots, mushrooms, and greens are great. However, you could add broccoli, bell peppers, celery, or other vegetables you like.
  • In this recipe, shallots and leeks were used, but onion and garlic would be fine too.
  • You can use different combinations of seasoning. For example, you can use extra curry powder and omit the curry paste if you don’t have it. You can also leave out the fish sauce and add tamari instead. Make this soup according to your tastes and what ingredients you are willing to buy.

Dijon Chicken Stew

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Dijon Bacon Chicken Stew 1

Serves: 5-7

Time: 30 minutes active time; 2-2.5 hours total time

 

Ingredients

1-2 tablespoons coconut oil

1 Whole Chicken or about 4 pounds, cut into parts, naturally-raised and/or organic if possible

4 Carrots, thick sliced

1 Yellow Onion, chopped into large chunks

10 Ounces Mushrooms, thick sliced

1/2 Cup Dijon Mustard

1 Tablespoon Minced Garlic

2 Tablespoons Organic Corn Starch

 

Directions

Heat a large pot or dutch oven over medium-high heat. Melt the coconut oil, then add chicken, skin-side down to allow it to brown. Once chicken has browned on one side, flip it over and add carrots, onions, mushrooms, mustard, and garlic. Reduce heat to low, cover, and let simmer for about 2 hours.

Remove about 1 cup of liquid from the pot and let cool, then add corn starch and whisk. Remove chicken from the pot and place on a serving plate. Add corn starch mixture to the pot and stir constantly until sauce thickens, about 2 minutes. Pour sauce and vegetables over chicken and serve.

Cram it in there the best you can
Cram it in there the best you can
Veggies waiting to be added
Veggies waiting to be added
Just throw it all in there
Just throw it all in there
Sauce after thickening
Sauce after thickening

Dijon Bacon Chicken Stew 6