Paleo French Onion Chicken {Whole30, Keto}

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This Paleo French Onion Chicken is made all in one skillet and has become a family favorite! The chicken is pan fried and loaded with caramelized onions, a savory gravy and an addicting dairy free cheese sauce. This easy, flavor-packed dinner is quick enough for weeknights and the leftovers are delicious too! Whole30 compliant and keto friendly.

I’m definitely into chicken skillets lately!   From one-skillet greek chicken to chicken caprese and creamy mustard chicken with kale and so many more, they’re some of my favorite meals.

I took a break from my regular bone–in chicken thighs and went with boneless to make this paleo and Whole30 French onion chicken.  It’s soooo good!

We have deliciously seasoned, pan seared chicken with caramelized onions and beef gravy, topped baked with a dairy-free cheese sauce that’s out of this world tasty.

Plus, it’s made all in one skillet and the leftovers are awesome reheated, so you have lunch the next day!

What You Need to Make French Onion Chicken

Cashew Cheese:

• cashews, soaked in hot water for 2 hours
• garlic powder
• nutritional yeast
• sea salt
• fresh lemon juice
• warm water or plain almond milk

Chicken:

• onions
• ghee or refined coconut oil
• beef bone broth
• boneless chicken thighs (or breasts – pounded to 1/2” thickness)
• Sea salt and black pepper to taste
• Italian seasoning blend
• tapioca flour
• Cashew Cheese (above)
• fresh thyme and/or parsley

How to Make French Onion Chicken

In a large oven proof skillet, over medium heat, melt the ghee.  Add the onions and saute onions 3-4 minutes until translucent then sprinkle with salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally so the onions don’t burn, for about 15 minutes longer until browned and very tender.  Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.

While the onions are cooking, prepare the chicken by seasoning with salt and pepper (to taste) and Italian herbs. Once onions have finished cooking and are removed from the pan, cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side (don’t clean out the pan between the onions and chicken) until browned on both sides.  The chicken may not be fully cooked through.

Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm and return the onions to the pan.  Sprinkle the tapioca flour over the onions and stir for 1 minute over medium heat. Add beef broth and continue to cook, stirring throughout, until mixture comes to a boil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Return chicken to pan and spoon some of the sauce over each piece of chicken.

Top the chicken with the cashew cheese (see below) and transfer the skillet to the preheated oven.  Bake for about 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through completely.

Spoon some of the onions and gravy over the top of the chicken, garnish with thyme and/or parsley and serve right away.

How to Make Cashew Cheese Sauce

Making cashew cheese is super simple and so rewarding if you miss cheese!  

I like to soak my cashews for at least 2 hours in hot water.  This helps soften them to make blending easier.   If you’re short on time, soak in boiling water for 30-60 minutes.

Place all ingredients in a high speed blender (I used a smaller one – Nutribullet) and blend/pulse until very creamy. You will need to stop blending to scrape down the sides and incorporate all the cashews.  Once it’s nice and smooth, set aside until ready to use.

I hope you’re ready for a seriously tasty chicken recipe that’s sure to become a favorite!  Grab your skillet and your ingredients because it’s time to cook – let’s go!

Paleo French Onion Chicken {Whole30, Keto}

Paleo French Onion Chicken {Whole30, Keto}

This Paleo French Onion Chicken is made all in one skillet and has become a family favorite! The chicken is pan fried and loaded with caramelized onions, a savory gravy and an addicting dairy free cheese sauce. This easy, flavor-packed dinner is quick enough for weeknights and the leftovers are delicious too! Whole30 compliant and keto friendly.

Author: Michele Rosen

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Course: Dinner

Cuisine: keto, Paleo, Whole30

Keyword: cashew cheese, chicken, dinner, paleo, whole30

Servings: 8 servings

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4.46 from 11 votes

Ingredients

Cashew Cheese:

• 1 cup cashews soaked in hot water for 2 hours, then drained
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 cup warm water or almond milk

Chicken:

• 2 yellow onions

  thinly sliced 


• 3 Tbsp + 1 Tbsp ghee or refined coconut oil divided

• Sea salt and black pepper to taste


• 1 tsp Italian seasoning blend OR 1/4 teaspoon dried basil + 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme + 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 1/2 lbs boneless chicken thighs or breasts - pounded to 1/2” thickness
• 2 Tbsp tapioca flour
• 1 1/4 cups beef bone broth
• Cashew Cheese see above
• fresh thyme or parsley for topping

Instructions

Cashew Cheese:

1. Place all ingredients in a high speed blender (I used a smaller one - Nutribullet) and blend/pulse until very creamy. You will need to stop blending to scrape down the sides and incorporate all the cashews. Once done, set aside until ready to use.

Chicken:

1. Preheat your oven to 375° F. In a large oven proof skillet, over medium heat, melt the ghee or coconut oil.  Add the onions and saute onions 3-4 minutes until translucent then sprinkle with salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally so the onions don't burn, for about 15 minutes longer until browned and very tender.  Transfer to a bowl and cover to keep warm.

2. While onions are cooking, prepare the chicken by seasoning with salt and pepper to taste and Italian herbs. Once onions have finished cooking and are removed from the pan, raise the heat to medium-high and add the additional ghee. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side (don't clean out the pan between the onions and chicken) until browned on both sides. (Chicken may not be fully cooked through)

3. Transfer the chicken to a plate and cover to keep warm and return the onions to the pan. Sprinkle tapioca flour over the onions and stir for 1 minute over medium heat. Add beef broth and continue to cook, stirring throughout, until mixture comes to a boil. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Return chicken to pan and spoon some of the sauce over each piece of chicken.

4. Top the chicken with the cashew cheese and transfer skillet to the preheated oven. Bake for about 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through completely.
5. Spoon some of the onions and gravy over the top of the chicken, garnish with thyme and/or parsley and serve right away.

Nutrition

Calories: 355kcal

Carbohydrates: 11g

Protein: 19g

Fat: 27g

Saturated Fat: 10g

Cholesterol: 83mg

Sodium: 301mg

Potassium: 358mg

Fiber: 2g

Sugar: 2g

Vitamin A: 66IU

Vitamin C: 3mg

Calcium: 23mg

Iron: 2mg

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