These Paleo chicken recipes will surprise you with healthy yet incredibly scrumptious dishes!
From coconut lime to sweet sesame, these dishes burst with a wonderful explosion of flavors.
The Paleo diet, also known as the stone-age or caveman diet, is a modern-day diet.
It limits your options to foods eaten by humans during the Paleolithic era.
While you have to go primitive on the food sources, this doesn’t mean you have to go basic on the flavors, too.
These Paleo chicken recipes have you covered. Just gather the ingredients, and this list will take care of the rest.
1. Creamy Tuscan Chicken
The word “creamy” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word diet.
So for a dish to be this creamy and also be Paleo-approved gives me joy.
Besides the creamy sauce, this dish also features juicy chicken thighs, sun-dried tomatoes, and spinach.
It’s a wonderful mix of colors and flavors, all in one skillet.
2. Sweet and Spicy Paleo Chicken Fingers
There are some things in this world that are just naturally addictive, and chicken fingers are one of them.
Whenever I see chicken fingers on the table, I can’t help but dig in!
The fact that these guys are bathed in a sweet and sticky sauce makes them even more irresistible.
A splash of hot sauce gives them a bit of heat, which counterbalances the sweetness perfectly.
3. Creamy Garlic Chicken Skillet
Normally, I’m not a fan of chicken breasts, but this dish is one of the few exceptions.
The thing I love about this dish is not the protein, but the sauce.
It’s a combination of coconut milk, ghee, garlic, lemon, and Italian seasonings.
The sauce is giving me major Indian, Mediterranean, and Italian vibes.
So even if the chicken comes out a little dry, you can count on the sauce to make up for it. It’s foolproof!
4. Whole30 Marry Me Chicken
If the name (or the photo) hasn’t convinced you to try this recipe yet, maybe this description will.
Marry-me chicken features tender chicken breasts smothered with cream sauce.
It’s made more fun and flavorful with sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and red pepper flakes.
The sauce is decadent. But the sweet-tart tomatoes, fresh basil, and hot pepper dial down the richness. It results in a well-balanced dish.
5. Southwest Paleo Chicken and Fries
This dish is a happy medley of chicken strips, sweet potato fries, avocado sauce, and greens.
Each component is delicious on its own, and together, they make sparks fly.
This bowl has so many beautiful elements, it’s hard to decide which one to try first.
Even the greens, which I typically stay away from, are pretty impressive.
A merry mix of chopped cabbage, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, kalamata olives, and clover sprouts, this salad is a star on its own!
6. Coconut Lime Chicken
Coconut and lime are a match made in heaven. The mix of nutty and creamy plus bright and citrusy is simply *chef’s kiss.*
This dish brings you a burst of tropical flavors, and then some.
Apart from the coconut and lime pairing, this dish also uses garlic, ginger, and cilantro. It makes the sauce even better.
7. Lemon Paleo Chicken
Crispy chicken strips are drizzled with a honey and lemon glaze.
Despite its simplicity, this dish will blow you away with its flavors and textures.
If you haven’t fallen in love with the combination of lemon and honey yet, I’m sure this dish will make you.
Together, they make a beautiful marriage of sweet and tangy flavors. Any protein will be lucky to have it as its sauce.
8. Healthy Sesame Chicken
This dish is reminiscent of a popular Chinese takeout menu item.
While Chinese food doesn’t exactly scream healthy, this copycat recipe is.
Instead of the usual sugar-loaded sauce, this recipe uses healthy alternatives.
It has coconut aminos, coconut sugar, and arrowroot flour, yielding similar flavors without the junk.
9. 30-Minute Creamy Mushroom Chicken
Mushroom and cream are one of those combos I can never say no to.
I can’t think of a pairing more suited for each other than these two!
I love how the richness of cream complements the earthy and woodsy flavors of mushrooms. Together, their capabilities are limitless.
Throw the chicken into the mix for a dish so scrumptious, it’s ridiculous.
10. Crispy Paleo Fried Chicken
You can’t have a list of chicken dishes without fried chicken!
In case you were wondering:, yes, oil is Paleo-approved. But that’s not what you’ll use to fry these bad boys.
This recipe calls for ghee instead. In case you’re not familiar, ghee is clarified butter.
It’s often used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines, and I say it should also be a mainstay in American cooking.
Try this recipe, and I’m positive you’ll agree.
11. Chinese Chicken and Broccoli Stir-Fry
One of my go-to orders for Chinese takeout is chicken and broccoli.
I don’t know why, but somehow, these two just make sense together.
Knowing there’s a way to make this classic Chinese-American dish Paleo-friendly gives me comfort.
This recipe manages to deliver the same flavors and textures as the popular dish, all while using clean and wholesome ingredients.
12. Paleo Chicken Tenders
Nothing beats this classic dish.
These chicken tenders are crispy and crunchy on the outside, and moist and juicy on the inside.
They’re rich and savory in every bite. That’s perfection, right there.
The fact that they’re baked, not deep-fried in tons of oil, makes them the perfect healthy option.
Don’t worry, they’re still as delightfully crunchy and crispy as deep-fried tenders.
13. Paleo Chicken Broccoli “Rice” Casserole
I’d eat rice three times a day, every day, if I could.
But for times when my body craves nourishment, I opt for cauliflower rice.
I know the idea of using cauliflower in place of rice may be blasphemous to some, but hear me out.
With cauliflower rice, you still get that feeling of eating rice, but without the carbs and calories. That’s a fair bargain, if you ask me.
And with this creamy chicken broccoli casserole, I’m pretty sure you won’t even notice you’re not eating real rice!
14. Slow-Cooked Cauliflower Chicken Chowder
Here’s another recipe that showcases cauliflower. But instead of mimicking rice, it’s used as a stand-in for potatoes.
The soup base is enriched with coconut milk and seasoned with parsley and bay leaf.
It’s then packed with chicken, cauliflower florets, carrots, celery, and bacon.
So you see, this chowder is creamy, hearty, and delicious, even without the carb-laden spuds.
15. Ground Chicken Tacos
Ground chicken is such a fantastic and versatile ingredient.
It’s delicious, affordable, and super easy to work with.
Plus, it’s a much leaner and healthier alternative to ground beef and pork.
I demand we use it more! If you don’t agree, I’m positive these sensational ground chicken tacos will change your mind.
16. Easy Paleo Chicken Enchiladas
These enchiladas are over-loaded with shredded chicken, green chilis, and sauce wrapped in soft and warm cassava flour tortillas.
They’re topped with a thick blanket of ooey-gooey cheese and finished off with a delectable cashew cream sauce.
I’m not drooling, you are.
The fact that they’re dairy-free and Paleo-friendly boggles my mind.
17. Paleo Chick-fil-A Chicken
Move over Chick-fil-A, this copycat fried chicken is beyond delicious.
Here, the chicken nuggets are marinated in pickle juice to tenderize them and lend them a subtle tangy flavor.
They’re then dredged in batter and deep-fried to golden perfection.
This recipe is proof that comfort foods don’t need to be unhealthy to be fantastic.
18. Slow Cooker Honey Garlic Chicken
Think BBQ pulled pork, but with chicken.
Slow-cooked in a heavenly blend of honey and garlic, to say this dish is mouthwatering is an understatement.
The chicken gets to absorb the sweetness and pepperiness of the marinade, giving it such deep, robust flavors.
Serve this dish over a bed of rice or as a taco filling and enjoy.
19. 30-Minute Greek Instant Pot Chicken Stew
Care to try something new and different? If you’re a fan of Greek food, then I highly suggest chicken stifado.
Relax, I’m not going to make you eat a weird, foreign dish with an even weirder flavor profile. Stifado is merely a stew.
Just like in any cuisine, there are many iterations of stifado.
This one uses chicken as its protein and infuses onions, tomatoes, and cinnamon into the soup.
It yields a hearty dish packed with the fresh flavors of vegetables and a hint of warmth from the cinnamon.
20. Paleo White Chicken Chili
While not as popular as its red counterpart, white chili is delicious in its own right.
Flavored with green chiles and jalapenos, as well as cumin, chili powder, and coriander, this chili definitely brings on the heat.
The broth is so flavorful, it makes up for the absence of ground beef.
21. Creamy Dijon Chicken Casserole
This casserole is a magnificent mish-mash of chicken, vegetables, and bacon.
They’re all tied together in a glorious cream sauce that’s so rich, I can’t believe it’s dairy-free.
You’ll love the addition of Dijon mustard here.
Its tanginess contrasts the creaminess of the sauce, bringing you a beautiful harmony of flavors.
22. Crispy Paleo Chicken Nuggets
I take one look at these chicken nuggets and I already know they’ll be a hit.
Clearly, these nuggets are delicious. And obviously, I’ll have to reserve an entire plate for myself.
What’s not apparent, though, is how these nuggets are Paleo-approved.
Despite looking and tasting phenomenal, these guys are secretly healthy. The kids will never know.
23. Perfect Grilled Chicken Thighs
Chicken thighs are marinated in a mix of olive oil, lemon, paprika, cloves, and seasonings, and grilled to perfection.
It’s a very simple complex, but it delivers massive flavors.
Between the juicy thighs and their robust flavors, it’s hard to decide what to love more.
24. Easy Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas
These fajitas are colorful, flavorful, and shockingly easy to make.
I’m such a huge fan of sheet pan recipes.
I love how the effort required to make them is very minimal.
However, they produce such delightful and hearty dishes that can feed an entire crowd.
Exhibit A: these chicken fajitas.
They’re mega-loaded with perfectly seasoned chicken tenders, bell peppers, and onions, and they all come together in one pan!
25. Crispy Paleo Air Fryer Chicken Tenders
These chicken tenders are just as crispy, juicy, and delicious as any, but there is zero oil or butter involved in making them.
You use a tiny bit of olive oil, but just to spray the air fryer basket. All things considered, that’s pretty impressive.
26. Whole30 Buffalo Chicken Dip
It’s like eating buffalo chicken wings but without bones!
You’ll love how it’s so rich and creamy even without cheese.
The tanginess and heat from the hot sauce also offer a nice flavor contrast to the rich dressing.
27. Slow Cooker Butter Chicken
I have a major obsession with Indian food, and butter chicken is one of the reasons why.
If you feel the same way and you’re on Paleo, here’s some good news.
With this recipe, you can have as much butter chicken as often as you like, while still staying true to your diet.
28. Crockpot Teriyaki Chicken
If you’re looking for a quick and easy dish that even picky eaters can’t resist, teriyaki chicken is the answer.
I’ve yet to find a person who doesn’t like teriyaki chicken.
There’s a perfectly good reason why. The combination of sweet and savory flavors is epic.
29. Paleo Chicken Burrito Bowls
This burrito bowl is filled with cauliflower rice, chicken, peppers, and onions. Giving it extra oomph are guacamole, salsa, and jalapenos.
That’s what I call happiness in a bowl.
30. Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps
If you’re looking for something light for lunch or dinner, look no further than these chicken lettuce wraps.
If the thought of using lettuce in place of tortillas bothers you, I beg you to give it a try.
I was iffy about it too, but when I finally gave in, I was pleasantly surprised.
The crunch from the lettuce offers a wonderful mouthfeel that no flour tortilla can provide.
And this sweet and savory Asian chicken filling will have you hooked.