When you make the switch to a Paleo diet, there are a lot of benefits – but there’s also a lot that we give up. Sometimes these things are pretty obvious (pastries and bread), and sometimes they’re not (hidden grains in meat recipes). This can make the transition to a Paleo diet a little bit difficult.
We love finding recipes that let you continue eating the things you love without giving up on your dietary needs, so we are super excited about this one! Here we have an awesome nugget substitute that’s perfect for grown-ups (and kids that can handle a bit of heat in their diet).
For this recipe, the key is to make sure that you chop your chicken breast into the correct size nuggets in as uniform a shape and size as possible – your entire recipe will be evenly cooked that way. Make sure to carefully use a sharp knife as you cut your chicken breast to get this right.
It’s also important to get your spices correct – you can scale back on the red pepper flakes and hot sauce to your preference, but try to use the five Chinese spices as indicated in the recipe.
It’s available in most spice aisles (you can also make your own if needed – just use equal parts ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground fennel seed, ground star anise, and ground peppercorns).
This is a great recipe to use as one part of a party platter – try serving it with a variety of Paleo fries.
Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe
Serves: 4 Prep: 15 min Cook: 20 min
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized chunks
- 8 dried red chiles
- 4 green onions, sliced
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp. Sriracha or hot pepper sauce
- 2 tbsp. raw honey
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
- 1/2 tsp. Chinese five spice
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup tapioca or potato starch
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation
- In a medium bowl, whisk the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, hot pepper sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, Chinese five spice, and red pepper flakes.
- In a separate bowl, toss the chicken with the starch and season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Melt the coconut oil in a skillet over high heat; add the chicken and cook until browned (5 to 6 minutes).
- Add the chiles to the skillet and cook another minute or two.
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, stir everything, bring to a light boil, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the green onions, cook another minute or two, and serve.
Spicy Chicken Bites Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized chunks
- 8 dried red chiles
- 4 green onions sliced
- 1/4 cup coconut aminos
- 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp. Sriracha or hot pepper sauce
- 2 tbsp. raw honey
- 1 garlic clove minced
- 2 tsp. fresh ginger minced
- 1/2 tsp. Chinese five spice
- 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- 1/4 cup tapioca or potato starch
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the coconut aminos, apple cider vinegar, hot pepper sauce, honey, garlic, ginger, Chinese five spice, and red pepper flakes.1/4 cup coconut aminos, 1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp. Sriracha or hot pepper sauce, 2 tbsp. raw honey, 1 garlic clove, 2 tsp. fresh ginger, 1/2 tsp. Chinese five spice, 1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
- In a separate bowl, toss the chicken with the starch and season to taste with salt and pepper.1 lb. boneless, 1/4 cup tapioca or potato starch, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Melt the coconut oil in a skillet over high heat; add the chicken and cook until browned (5 to 6 minutes).2 tbsp. coconut oil
- Add the chiles to the skillet and cook another minute or two.8 dried red chiles
- Pour the sauce over the chicken, stir everything, bring to a light boil, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Add the green onions, cook another minute or two, and serve.4 green onions