Snowy Day Paleo Skillet (Printable)
A warming skillet dish with chicken, sweet potato, kale, and spices for chilly days.
# List of ingredients:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
03 - 1 large sweet potato, peeled and diced
04 - 2 medium carrots, sliced
05 - 1 yellow onion, chopped
06 - 2 cups chopped kale, stems removed
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Seasonings
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
11 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
→ Liquids
12 - 1/2 cup paleo-friendly chicken broth
→ Optional Garnish
13 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
# Steps:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering.
02 - Add chicken pieces to the hot pan. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and dried thyme. Sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden brown on all sides.
03 - Add onion, sweet potato, and carrots to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to develop flavor.
04 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
05 - Pour in chicken broth, cover with lid, and reduce heat to low. Let simmer for 12–15 minutes until vegetables are fork-tender and chicken is cooked through.
06 - Uncover the skillet and add chopped kale. Cook for 2–3 minutes, stirring until kale is wilted and vibrant green.
07 - Taste the dish and adjust salt, pepper, or other seasonings as needed.
08 - Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top and serve directly from the skillet.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, leaving you with minimal cleanup on days when you just want to curl up with a book instead of standing at the sink.
- The sweet potatoes become tender and sweet in the broth, creating this natural richness that makes you forget there is no cream or butter anywhere near this dish.
02 -
- I once made the mistake of using chicken breast instead of thighs and it turned out dry and disappointing after simmering. The fat in thighs is essential for keeping this dish succulent.
- If your sweet potato cubes are larger than your carrot slices, the carrots will be mushy before the sweet potatoes are done. Uniform cutting is not just for looks.
03 -
- Pat the chicken pieces completely dry with paper towels before adding them to the hot oil, otherwise they will steam instead of brown.
- Let the skillet rest for 5 minutes off the heat before serving, this allows the broth to thicken slightly and the flavors to settle together.