Whole30 Weeknight Skillet Chicken
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This Whole30 Skillet Chicken Dinner is going to be your favorite weeknight dinner go-to! Creamy mushroom sauce meets pan seared chicken for a deliciously healthy dinner.
So you like Whole30 recipes that actually taste good? Then you might like these Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas, Mushroom Bolognese Sauce, or Jalapeño Lime Pan Seared Chicken!
For those of you who follow me on Instagram and Facebook, you know I’ve been doing another Whole30 to “reset” myself and get back to healthy living.
If you aren’t familiar with Whole30, it’s a lifestyle change that eliminates sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, and dairy from your diet.
When I do Whole30, I just want quick and easy meals. If they’re made in one pan, even better! I just don’t want to spend an excessive amount of time on one meal.
Which is why I am SUPER excited to share with you this one-pan meal that can be on your dinner table in under 30 minutes.
There’s no reason every meal has to be an ordeal, at least not at my house. I believe when you’re doing a Whole30, simplifying is key!
Whole30 Skillet Chicken Recipe
This one went through a few rounds of testing before I decided it was worthy of sharing. But let me tell you, it is DELICIOUS!
Whole30 Skillet Chicken is so creamy you’ll forget you’re even on a diet. It’s one of the best Whole30 chicken recipes out there, in my humble opinion.
And honestly, who doesn’t love a one-pan easy dinner with as little mess as possible? I know I do!
Skillet Chicken Ingredients
Chicken breasts – albeit the obvious ingredient, I used chicken breasts however, if you prefer a different cut of chicken, feel free to substitute! Just make sure you adjust the cooking time as necessary.
Coconut milk – this is one of my favorite dairy substitutes. It’s so easy to mask the sweet and coconutty flavor and turn it into a savory dish.
BONUS: Coconut milk is rich with vitamins and minerals!
Lemons – citrus helps to break up the richness and add some bright flavors to this dish. If you don’t have fresh lemons, you can also use bottled lemon juice.
Mushrooms – I used Shiitake mushrooms for this recipe because I just love them so much. You can use whatever mushrooms you like best!
Peas – seriously, these are the most underrated vegetable in my opinion. They add a great texture and pack a ton of health benefits!
Shallot – I used shallots instead of onions for this recipe because shallots are more delicate, softer, and far less abrasive than onions. However, if you don’t have shallots handy, feel free to substitute with an onion.
Spices – you will need garlic cloves, fresh oregano, fresh thyme, and red pepper flakes.
How to Cook Chicken in a Skillet:
1. Slice and pound the chicken. Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally. Place the chicken in between two pieces of parchment paper and pound with the flat side of a mallet until each piece is about 1 inch thick. Preheat the oven to 375° F.
2. Make the cream sauce. Heat a saucepan with olive oil and sauté the garlic and shallot. Add the coconut milk, lemon zest, lemon juice from one lemon, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer while the chicken cooks.
3. Cook the chicken. While the sauce is simmering, heat a large cast-iron skillet with olive oil and sear the chicken on both sides for 3-4 minutes.
4. Finish cooking in the oven. Add the mushrooms to the pan with the chicken, pour in the cream sauce, and place in the oven for 8 minutes. Add the peas and bake 2 more minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve.
PRO-TIP: These Roasted Potatoes make the best side dish!
Questions You Might Have About This Recipe
How long does it take to cook chicken in a skillet?
Typically it takes about 5-7 minutes (without moving) to cook chicken in a skillet. Remember though, cuts of chicken are different as well as their thickness. Always remember to get the internal temperature to 165 degrees.
Is cooking chicken in a skillet healthy?
Cooking chicken in a skillet can be healthy. A key tip here is to ensure you aren’t accidentally frying your chicken by adding too much oil.
If you are looking for the healthiest way to cook chicken though, according to nutritionists, poaching is the healthiest cooking method.
Cooking chicken in the air fryer is another healthy alternative because it doesn’t use much oil.
How long does chicken take to cook in a skillet?
Because we are cutting our chicken in half and pounding it, we are making the chicken much thinner and thus giving it a shorter cook time (yay)!
However cook times depend on cut and thickness of the chicken. If you are not following the recipe to a tee, ensure you check the recommend cook times for your particular cut and thickness of meat.
Questions You Might Have About Whole30
What can you eat on Whole30?
On Whole30 you are allowed to eat meats, fish, and vegetables. The 30 day diet eliminates: sugar, alcohol, grains, legumes, soy, and dairy.
Are potatoes allowed on Whole30?
Yes, you are allowed to eat potatoes on Whole30! I love making sweet potato fries as a filling side dish.
Can you have bacon on Whole30?
You can eat bacon on the Whole30 diet as long as it doesn’t contain sugar or nitrates. There are a handful of compliant brands out there!
PRO-TIP: If you are really craving bacon, it’s a GREAT addition to this recipe!
Can you eat as much as you want on Whole30?
In short, no, you cannot eat as much as you want on Whole30. The Whole30 plan allows for three meals per day, and snacking is discouraged.
According to some, if you’ve been sneaking a snack in between meals, it could be leaving you feeling hungrier rather than less. The general rule of thumb is: three meals per day with minimal snacking.
More Whole30 Dinner Recipes To Try
- 30 Easy Whole30 Recipes
- Air Fryer Meatballs
- Whole30 Egg Roll In A Bowl
- Jalapeño Lime Air Fryer Steak
- Bacon and Mushroom Smothered Pork Chops
WANT TO TRY THIS CREAMY SUN DRIED TOMATO PESTO CHICKEN RECIPE?
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Did you make this recipe? Post a photo on Instagram and tag me @JZEATS or #JZEATS so I can see! Leave a comment below and let me know what you think, too!
Whole30 Weeknight Skillet Chicken
Ingredients
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 6 ounces full fat coconut milk
- 2 lemons, juice and zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
- 1 tablespoon fresh thyme
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 boneless chicken breasts
- 8 ounces shiitake mushrooms
- 1/2 cup peas
- olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally. Place the chicken in between two pieces of parchment paper and pound with the flat side of a mallet until each piece is about 1 inch thick. Preheat the oven to 375° F.
- Heat a saucepan with olive oil on medium-high heat. Sauté the garlic and shallot for 1-2 minutes, until fragrant. Add the coconut milk, lemon zest, lemon juice from one lemon, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer while you cook the chicken.
- While the sauce is simmering, heat a large cast iron skillet with olive oil on medium-high heat. Sear the chicken on both sides for 3-4 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms to the pan with the chicken, pour the cream sauce into the pan and place in the oven for 8 minutes. Add the peas and bake 2 more minutes. Garnish with fresh thyme and serve. These Roasted Potatoes make the best side!
YUM!! so easy to do and definitely going on our favorites list. I would say that if you are a heat person start with a smaller amount of red pepper and then add in. It says to taste on the recipe. We went ahead and did the full amount and just plan to use less next time and add more in. Other than that definitely amazing!
Really love this whole30 recipe. I love the variety that the dish gives you. So many diets feel restrictive but with recipes like this, you can still eat so good! Thanks for a great meal!
This was such a hearty and flavorful meal! Served this for dinner and the whole family loved it; easily, a new favorite dish!
So yummy! I left out the peas and added in some spinach and it was fantastic!!
We tried this last night and everyone loved it! Perfect meal for a weeknight!
Quick, easy, healthy, and a hit with the whole family! The kind of dinner you want to make every week!