Category Archives: grain free

Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad!

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4

Spring and summer, the time for simple, lovely, easy to put together meals. We love this Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad for it’s simplicity, flavor and beauty. See what we mean…
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Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad! #grilledchicken #strawberrysalad #paleo #whole30 #recipesfortwo

 

The Chicken:

Brining is the secret to success when it comes to boneless, skinless chicken breasts (don’t worry it’s easy!). These breasts were brined in sea salt salt and water for 30 minutes, then grilled to juicy perfection. No dry, tasteless chicken breasts here!

Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad! #grilledchicken #strawberrysalad #paleo #whole30 #recipesfortwo

The Salad:

Peppery arugula with sweet, ripe, colorful strawberries, sprinkled with roasted pine nuts. So simple. So lovely.

Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad! #grilledchicken #strawberrysalad #paleo #whole30 #recipesfortwo

The Dressing:

We give you two choices: we prefer an olive oil and white balsamic vinaigrette on this salad. It’s smooth, fresh and light, perfect for spring and summer. But you can also use a traditional balsamic.

Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad! #grilledchicken #strawberrysalad #paleo #whole30 #recipesfortwo

 

The Recipe: Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad!

What you need: Himalayan or kosher sea salt for brining and a quality white balsamic vinegar (<—our fave but we also like this one) If you prefer you can use a traditional balsamic. You will also need parchment paper and a rolling pin for pounding chicken.

5 from 2 votes
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Grilled Chicken with Strawberry and Arugula Salad!
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
 

A fresh, light, beautiful spring/summer salad with a choice of white balsamic vinaigrette or traditional balsamic vinaigrette. Paleo and Whole 30!

Course: dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American, BBQ, grilling
Keyword: #bbq, #easy dinner, Paleo, whole30
Servings: 4
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
For Chicken:
  • 4 smallish boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded and brined
  • 6 cups water
  • 1/3 cup sea salt, I use Himalayan sea salt, but you can use Kosher too
  • sea salt, pepper, olive oil
For Salad:
  • 4 cups organic baby arugula
  • 2 cups sliced organic strawberries
  • 1/4 cup roasted pine nuts
For White Balsamic dressing:
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil or avocado oil
  • 3 tablespoons white balsamic
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • pinch sea salt and black pepper
If using traditional balsamic
  • 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 teaspoon dijon mustard
  • pinch sea salt and pepper
Instructions

  1. Place water and salt in a large bowl and stir

  2. Place chicken breasts between folded parchment paper and pound with a rolling pin until uniformly thick (about 3/4" thick is best)

  3. Place breasts in salt water for 30 minutes

While breasts brine, prepare salad and dressing, preheat grill:

  1. After breasts have brined for 20 minutes, place lettuce and sliced berries on platter, sprinkle with pine nuts and  whisk together dressing ingredients

  2. Preheat grill on high, about  425 degrees

  3. After breasts have brined for 30 minutes, remove breasts from water, pat dry with paper towels

  4. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste

  5. Place breasts on preheated grill, close lid and cook until nice golden grill marks are established (3-4 minutes), then turn the meat a quarter turn (don’t flip, just rotate the same side a 1/4 turn) and cook until new criss-cross marks appear.  (3-4 minutes)

  6. Turn breasts over, lower heat to med/low (about 350 degrees) close lid and cook for five more minutes until just cooked through. Don't over cook! Remove from grill

  7. Whisk dressing again and dress salad

  8. Leave whole or if desired, cut breasts on the diagonal and serve topped with salad

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Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl

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15

Breakfast, they say it’s the most important meal of the day. Apparently the thinking goes that if you start the day off with a healthy meal you’ll be more likely to keep making healthy choices the rest of the day. I agree with that line of thinking, so I came up with this Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl. Beautiful isn’t it?
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Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl #smoothiebowl #breakfast #vegan #vegetarian #dairyfree

Why a Smoothie Bowl?

Smoothie bowls aren’t that different than a smoothie served in a glass, but serving in a bowl allows you to add toppings like the ones I use here: fruit, coconut, and granola, making your morning smoothie a little more substantial and filling…not to mention pretty.

Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl #smoothiebowl #breakfast #vegan #vegetarian #dairyfree

Breakfast in Less Than Five Minutes!

Simply add ingredients to the blender, and while it does it’s job you can slice a banana and a few berries, grab the granola and voila! A healthy breakfast in a snap.

Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowl #smoothiebowl #breakfast #vegan #vegetarian #dairyfree

 

The Recipe: Mixed Berry Smoothie Bowls!

Tips and what you’ll need: a good quality blender. I love my Blentec! If you want to use rich, creamy homemade almond milk in this recipe <—click!

5 from 11 votes
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Mixed Berry Smoothie
Prep Time
5 mins
 

A quick, simple, healthy breakfast! I offer this recipe using dairy and non dairy choices.

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy breakfast recipe, smoothie bowl
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
  • 2 cups your favorite milk (almond milk, whole cow's milk, coconut milk etc)
  • 1 1/2 cups frozen strawberries
  • 1 cup frozen blueberries
  • 6 pitted dates
Toppings:
  • banana slices, berries, shredded coconut, granola
Instructions

  1. Place two cups milk (almond or cow) into blender, add dates and berries, blend until smooth. If you need to thin out smoothie, add up to a 1/2 cup more milk. Pour into bowls and top with granola, shredded coconut, and berries! Serve and enjoy!

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Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter

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10

When we visit our cabin in Sundance, Utah, we often eat at a little farm to table restaurant nearby. They serve an amazing Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter that we just love. When we return home we always crave that meal. So I recreated it, and you my lucky friends get to reap the rewards!
(This post contains affiliate links off which I may make a commission. Your price remains the same.)

Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter #bakedchicken #carrotpuree #glutenfree #paleo

 

The Chicken:

Brined for 30 minutes, smothered in herbs and then cooked with the skin on, this chicken breast is anything but dry and tasteless. Browned in a skillet and then oven finished, so you have that fabulous combination of crispy skin and tender meat. This meal is casual enough for everyday and special enough for romantic celebrations.

Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter #bakedchicken #carrotpuree #glutenfree #paleo

 

THREE KEYS TO MAKING A PERFECTLY TENDER CHICKEN BREAST:

  1. Bone in, skin on! The bone and the skin make for the most flavorful, tender chicken breast.
  2. Brine: Don’t be intimidated! It’s as simple as soaking the chicken in salt water for 30 minutes.
  3. Start on the cooktop, finish in the oven. Tender inside, crispy outside. And there you have it! How easy is that?

The Carrot Purée and Brown Butter:

There is nothing better than taking a forkful of this savory herbed chicken and swirling it around in that bed of sweet carrot purée and browned butter. If you have never tasted brown butter, it has a caramelized nutty flavor that basically makes this meal a little piece of heaven.

Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter #bakedchicken #carrotpuree #glutenfree #paleo

Need More Healthy Chicken Recipes?

Chicken lovers, click here, here, and here!

The Recipe: Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter

Tips and what you will need: People often overcook chicken, making it dry. Resist that temptation! You will need a food processor or blender, an oven safe pan and a good sea salt: I use fine himalayan sea salt for brining.

5 from 6 votes
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Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
45 mins
 

A tender chicken breast, rubbed with herbs and served with whipped carrots and brown butter!

Course: dinner
Keyword: brown butter, carrot puree, herbed chicken, Paleo, roasted chicken
Servings: 4 servings
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
  • 4 chicken breasts, bone in skin on
  • 1/3 cup kosher salt, or Himalayan sea salt (for brining)
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • pepper, to taste
  • garlic powder, to taste
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped and chopped (you can use extra sprigs for garnish)
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley
  • 4 cups carrots, peeled and sliced 1/4" thick
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, separated
Instructions

  1. Place 6 cups water into a large bowl, add sea salt and stir. Add chicken breasts. Go do something productive or take a nap while chicken brines for 30 minutes

  2. Preheat oven to 400 degrees and place oven rack in upper third of oven

  3. Remove breasts from salt water and pat dry with paper towel. Brush chicken skin with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, sea salt and pepper. Rub gently into skin

  4. Heat oven safe pan on cooktop on med /high heat for two minutes. Add olive oil. When oil is hot add chicken, skin side down to pan, cooking until golden brown, lowering heat if necessary (about five minutes)

  5. Turn chicken skin side up, sprinkle with thyme and transfer pan to oven and cook for 20-30 minutes depending on the size of chicken breast.

  6. While chicken breasts are cooking, make carrots and brown butter:

  7. Place a medium size sauce pan on cooktop on high heat, add broth. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add carrots and cook until soft and much of the broth has evaporated (about 8 minutes) NOTE: if the carrots are soft but you feel like there is too much broth left in the pan, pour broth into a small bowl and use only if needed to thin our puree

  8. Pour into carrots and what's left of broth into processor or blender, add 2 tablespoons butter, a pinch of sea salt and pepper and blend until smooth. Place back in pan and keep warm while you make brown butter:

  9. Place a very small pan on medium heat, add 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter. Simmer butter, stirring frequently for about five minutes. Be patient. Butter will bubble, then become frothy and finally the center will erupt with a golden color. Immediately turn off heat and stir. Your butter is now browned! 

  10. When chicken breasts are done, plate food: Divide carrots evenly onto four plates, top with chicken, drizzle with brown butter and garnish with parsley and a few remaining sprigs of thyme. Eat up!

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Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Board

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28

One word: Chimichurri. If you don’t make it on the reg, you should. It’s a healthy, delicious way to add flavor to almost anything. In this case, filet mignon. This, my friends is The Organic Kitchen’s Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Dinner Board! 
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Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Board #chimichurristeak #paleo #whole30 #roastedpotatoes

The Steak and Chimichurri:

Tender, juicy filet mignon, seared on the cooktop and finished in the oven, drizzled in fresh lime chimichurri… simply dreamy. Chimichurri originated in Argentina and is usually a simple combination of onions, garlic, olive oil, green herbs, and lemon or lime juice. Totally worth the five minutes it takes to whisk together!

Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Board #chimichurristeak #paleo #whole30 #roastedpotatoes

The Potatoes:

Crispy roasted potatoes are our favorite. We use ‘new gold’ potatoes for this board but you could also use fingerling or even sweet potatoes. We drizzle them in olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt and freshly turned black pepper and then pop them in the oven. While they roast, we prep the salad and cook the steaks. The whole meal takes about 50 minutes, from start to gloriously delicious finish!

Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Board #chimichurristeak #paleo #whole30 #roastedpotatoes

The Salad:

Keeping it simple here: greens, apples, pecans, and your choice of feta or avocado and a light, lemon vinaigrette! What an exquisite meal!

Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Board #chimichurristeak #paleo #whole30 #roastedpotatoes

This Meal is Adaptable!

I show this as a meal for two served on one platter, but of course you could make this incredible meal for two, four, or six and simply serve on plates!

Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Board #chimichurristeak #paleo #whole30 #roastedpotatoes

The Recipe: Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Dinner Board

What you need: a grilling pan, a rimmed cookie sheet and parchment paper. As always you need a good quality knife. I love my Wusthof Ikon 8″ Chef’s knife!

5 from 15 votes
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Chimichurri Steak, Potato and Salad Dinner Board
Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
40 mins
Total Time
50 mins
 

A complete meal of steak, potatoes and salad! Serve on a board for two, or double/triple the recipe to feed a crowd.

Course: dinner
Cuisine: American
Keyword: date night, easy dessert recipe, Paleo recipes, potatoes, steak, whole30 recipes
Servings: 2
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
  • 10 'new' gold potatoes (or any small variety), quartered
  • about 1/3 cup olive oil, divided
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
  • 1 small clove garlic, peeled and minced or grated with microplane
  • 1 small shallot, peeled and diced
  • zest and juice of one lime
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 2 teaspoons honey (optional, whole30 please omit)
  • 2 6 oz filet mignon
  • 2 cups baby greens
  • 1/4 cups pecans
  • 2 Tablespoons feta (or avocado if living dairy free)
  • 10 slices apples
Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees and place one oven rack in upper third of oven and another rack in lower third of oven. Place a sheet of parchment on rimmed cookie sheet

  2. While oven heats: quarter potatoes, place on parchment covered cookie sheet

  3. Lightly drizzle potatoes in olive oil (about 1 tablespoon) and toss. Sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to taste, toss again

  4. Place cookie sheet on upper rack in oven and roast for 35-40 minutes or until potatoes are crispy and browned

While potatoes cook, do everything else:

  1. In a small bowl whisk together: 2 tablespoons olive oil, garlic, parsley, cilantro, shallot, pinch of sea salt and pepper, zest and juice of one small lime. Set aside

  2. In another small bowl whisk together salad dressing: 2 Tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, honey (optional), a pinch of sea salt and a few turns pepper. Set aside

  3. Place greens, feta 9or avocado), nuts and apple slices on platter (or in bowl)

  4. Season both sides of steaks lightly with sea salt and pepper

  5. Heat an oven safe grill pan for three minutes on cooktop on high heat

  6. Add olive oil to pan, heat for 30 seconds. Add steaks to pan, turn heat down to medium and sear for five minutes

  7. Turn steaks and place in oven on lower rack, cook 4-5 minutes for rare, 5-6 minutes for medium rare, 8 for medium (note: every oven cooks differently. Your timing may vary) 

  8. Remove steaks from oven and allow to 'rest' for five minutes

  9. Toss salad in dressing, place on platter. Remove potatoes from oven and place on platter. Slice steaks, place on platter and drizzle with chimichurri, serve!

 

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Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula

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17

When it comes to romantic meals, this Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula ranks high on our list! It’s beautiful, light, lemony and best of all, simple to make.
(This post contains affiliate links off which I may make a commission. Your price remains the same)

Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula #chickenpiccata #glutenfree #grainfree #pasta

How To Get It Done Quickly and Easily!

To keep this meal quick and easy, we use chicken tenders dredged in in flour, sautéed in olive oil, lemon and white wine and then toss it all together with pasta and baby greens! The entire meal takes about 20 minutes to make. We love this meal any time, but it’s also perfect for celebrating anniversaries, Valentine’s day and simply double the recipe for small dinner parties!

Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula #chickenpiccata #glutenfree #grainfree #pasta

Make This Meal Gluten or Completely Grain Free!

To make this meal gluten free we use Jovial Gluten Free Pasta! The grains are not only gluten free but are soaked for easy digestion! BUT if you want to go completely grain free we recommend Cali’flour Foods pasta! I love introducing you to interesting new healthier pasta options and Cali’flour Foods has come up with a winner! This pasta is made with only two ingredients: cauliflower and lentils for a firm, al dente, grain free pasta that tastes great and has fabulous texture. I also love Cali’flour foods pizza crusts. And now they make mini flat breads too!

Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula #chickenpiccata #glutenfree #grainfree #pasta

 

The Recipe: Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula for Two

Tips and what you need: for best results cook pasta to package instructions. You will need a stock pot, and a colander. If you want to try GRAIN FREE CALI”FLOUR FOODS PASTA <—click!

5 from 12 votes
Print
Easy Chicken Piccata with Baby Arugula
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
20 mins
 

A quick and easy version of a traditional Chicken Piccata with a heathy twist of added baby greens!

Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: #chicken piccata, grain-free, pasta
Servings: 2 servings
Author: Linda Spiker
Ingredients
  • 10 ounces chicken tenders
  • 6 ounces pasta, we love Jovial gluten free pasta or Califlour Foods Grain Free Pasta (see links above)
  • sea salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
  • 1/2 cup your favorite flour (regular, gluten free, or almond flour)
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons white wine
  • 1 cloves garlic, peeled and minced or grated
  • 1 lemon ( juice one half, slice the other)
  • 1/3 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 tablespoon capers, drained
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • 1 cup baby arugula
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • sprinkling of toasted pine nuts (optional for garnish)
Instructions

  1. Place a medium pot of salted water to boil, cook pasta to package instructions. While waiting for water to boil and pasta to cook prepare chicken

  2. Place your choice of flour in a shallow bowl. Generously sprinkle chicken tenders with salt and pepper, then dredge in flour. Set aside

  3. Place medium sized pan on med/high heat. When pan is hot, coat pan with olive oil. When oil is hot but not smoking add chicken tenders

  4. Sauté for 3 minutes or until golden in color, turn and cook other side for 3 minutes (don't forget to start that pasta!)

  5. Remove chicken from pan, place on a plate and cover (don't worry if chicken is not cooked through, we cook it more in a minute)

  6. Turn heat off. Add wine to pan

  7. Turn heat back on to medium and scrape pan with rubber spatula to loosen any browning and chicken bits as wine simmers

  8. When wine is simmering, add minced garlic

  9. Simmer for about two minutes, being careful not to burn the garlic, then add broth, butter, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 4 lemon slices and capers, stir

  10. Return to simmer and add cutlets to pan. Cook for a minute or two on each side. (do not overcook) Check chicken to be sure it is cooked through and turn off heat.

  11. Place greens in a colander. When pasta is al dente, pour into the colander (do not rinse) drizzle with a little olive oil and toss with a pinch of sea salt

  12. To plate: place pasta and greens on each dish, top with chicken and sauce, garnish with parmesan and pine nuts (if using) and serve

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