One-pot ginger chicken noodles prove paleo doesn’t have to be complicated

Paleo cooking made easy? Apparently it is possible. And delicious.

Anytime I hear the word “diet,” I assume it’s going to be a lifestyle that’s a whole lot of work to adhere to, with near impossible restrictions on what you can eat. And restrictions on what you can eat means cooking can be a huge pain.

The surefire way to ensure I will never, ever try something is to make cooking unpleasant. But simple, one-pot recipes, no matter what the diet, are welcome in my recipe box. One-Pot Paleo by Jenny Castaneda is full of simple paleo dishes that are all cooked in — you guessed it — one pot. Whether or not you follow a paleo diet, I’m willing to bet you will drool over these easy recipes.

Check out this superfast, 15-minute ginger chicken noodles. Of course, we’re not talking pasta here — we’re talking sweet potato noodles. Remember, it is paleo. And it looks delicious.

15-Minute paleo ginger chicken noodles recipe

I made this dish for dinner one night when the original menu I had planned didn’t push through, so I had to use ingredients I always have available in my fridge. The sweet potatoes held up to stir-frying, and they absorbed the seasonings really well. You won’t be able to tell at first bite that there are no noodles in this light and savory dish.

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) tallow or coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon (10 grams) ginger, grated
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup (130 grams) onion, sliced
• 1/2 pound (225 grams) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cubed
• 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) coconut aminos
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) chicken bone broth (see recipe below)
• 1 pound (450 grams) sweet potatoes, spiralized
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced into strips
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds

Directions:

1. To a deep skillet or wok over medium heat, add the tallow. Add the ginger, garlic and onions. Sauté for 2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the chicken, and sauté until it is cooked and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.
2. Add the coconut aminos, black pepper and chicken bone broth. Mix to combine. Add the sweet potato noodles and green bell pepper to the pan, and mix with the chicken. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover to let the sweet potatoes soften. After 3 to 5 minutes, check the sweet potatoes to see if they are cooked to desired doneness.
3. Turn off the heat, and season with sesame oil. Toss to combine. Garnish with sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

Chicken bone broth recipe

A pressure cooker with gelatinous chicken pieces such as feet and necks produces the most nutrient-dense broth in less than an hour. I am never without bone broth in my freezer, because store-bought doesn’t even come close!

Yields 4 to 5 cups (900 milliliters to 1.25 liters)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken necks or feet
• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken backs
• 1 onion, quartered
• 1 carrot, cut in half
• 1 rib celery, cut in half
• 1 teaspoon whole peppercorns
• 2 teaspoons (10 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• Water
• Large glass jar

Directions:

1. Place all the ingredients into a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the top of the bones. Secure the lid, and let it boil on medium-high heat. Once the pressure cooker starts to whistle, reduce the heat to medium-low, and set the timer for 35 minutes. Turn off the heat, and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to naturally release the pressure.
2. Once it is cool enough to handle, place a sieve on top of a glass jar, and pour the broth into it. Cover tightly, and keep in the fridge or freezer.

About the book:Paleo Foodie Kitchen founder Jenny Castaneda distills paleo cooking to its simplest form in her new cookbook One-Pot Paleo, featuring healthy and delicious whole food recipes that require only one pot, pan or bowl. Whether you’re a paleo devotee looking to simplify and spice up your meals or you’re curious about the paleo lifestyle but hesitant to take the leap, this book demystifies flavorful paleo eating with over 100 easy, globally inspired recipes, like Filipino chicken barbecue and loaded Spanish tortilla.

Jenny’s recipes are specifically designed as complete meals made up of healthy protein, vegetables and just the right amount of carbohydrates — all in one pot. One-Pot Paleo makes it easy for readers to determine which recipes contain potential allergens and how you can swap ingredients for tailor-made meals to match your specific dietary restrictions. Nourishing your body with healthy food has never been simpler, faster and more affordable thanks to Jenny’s recipes, which open up a whole new world of possibilities in terms of one-pot cooking.

Recipe and images courtesy of One-Pot Paleo

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