We are always looking for healthy, quick and easy meals, especially during the weeknights. With our girls participating in gymnastics and soccer after school, dinner either needs to be prepared ahead of time in a slow cooker or take just a few minutes to put together.
This one pan chicken recipe is perfect for those busy nights.
I can’t take full credit for this next recipe but I did adapt it some.
I didn’t come up with the name either, it was the original chef that introduced it to us who did.
Ayla’s One Pan Chicken is a recipe developed purely out of love for our girl. You see, we are not the easiest family to have over for dinner. Between my food intolerances, our gluten sensitivities and Ayla’s food allergies, it is quite a struggle and effort to prepare a dinner that works for all of us.
We are very fortunate to have so many wonderful family and friends who always take on the challenge and create wonderful meals and experiences for us.
It was one of those times, that Ayla first had this chicken. She loved it and ate the most of everyone. Whenever we would go back for dinner, Ayla would always look forward to having her special chicken, so it became Ayla’s Chicken.
This recipe has become a household favourite and I usually double the recipe so that it can be packed for school lunches the next day or for a second meal of chicken fajitas.
This recipe is one of the simplest chicken recipes ever. It only has four ingredients, including the chicken, and all cooks up in one pan.
One pan chicken. Doesn’t get much better than this.
Absolutely anybody can make this chicken.
You’ll be rewarded with big taste and wondering how you’ve lived so long without it.
One of the four ingredients is coconut aminos.
Coconut aminos is a liquid made from coconut sap. The sap is collected from coconut blossoms, mixed with salt and then aged. The result is a dark, rich, salty liquid with a hint of sweetness.
Its flavor is similar to a light soy sauce or tamari. The added benefit is that it’s gluten and soy free which makes it a great alternative for people with allergies, intolerances or who avoiding these ingredients.
Lately, I have been serving it with roasted broccoli (my favourite way of eating it) – details on making it below. I’ll even toss the cooked broccoli in the pan with the leftover sauce.
If you are looking for a new way to serve chicken, here’s one of our favourite ways:
Ayla’s One Pan Chicken
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons of oil
10 organic, skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/3 cup of coconut aminos or gluten-free soy sauce
2 tablespoons of paprika
Instructions:
1. Heat a large cast iron pan over medium heat.
2. Add the oil and heat.
3. Pour half of the coconut aminos in the pan and immediately add the chicken thighs, making sure to lay them flat.
4. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of paprika on top of the chicken and let simmer.
5. Move the chicken around a bit and when bottom starts to brown flip over – approximately 7-8 minutes
6. Add the remaining coconut aminos and sprinkle the remaining tablespoon of paprika onto the chicken.
7. Keep an eye on the chicken to make sure it doesn’t burn. You’ll probably want to turn the heat down to medium-low to allow the chicken to cook through. Turn the chicken often to achieve a nice glaze on each side.
8. Once the chicken is cooked through, remove and place on a platter.
9. Add roasted broccoli to the pan and coat with leftover sauce.
10. Add the broccoli to the platter and enjoy.
Roasted Broccoli
Another simple recipe that takes no time to put together.
Ingredients:
1-2 heads of broccoli, soaked and dried (I usually soak it upside down in a bowl for 5-10 minutes, then go outside and give it a good shake to get off the excess water)
1/4 cup of good quality avocado oil
Fresh ground salt and pepper
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees
- Cut broccoli into florets (I like bite sized pieces)
- Scatter the broccoli florets onto a baking sheet
- Drizzle with oil and toss using your hands
- Season with fresh sea salt and pepper
- Cook in the oven for 29-30 minutes, flipping once or twice
- Remove from oven and add a little more fresh salt and serve
