This easy Paleo cashew chicken skillet recipe will make healthy eating both delicious and easy whether you’re doing a Whole30 or not! It’s made completely in one pot, and in under 30 minutes. It’s a family friendly, takeout fake-out recipe that’s totally good for you!
This Whole30 skillet recipe is sponsored by Vital Proteins. I’m happy to work with a company I love, use and believe in so much! Thanks for your support here on the blog and your support for Vital Proteins!
You would not believe how often I get asked the question, “how can I make eating healthy/real food/Paleo/Whole30 easier?”. Okay, maybe you DO believe it, because you’re wondering the same thing yourself. My answer is usually disappointing, because there’s no magic trick to it.
It’s only as difficult as you make it.
Most people who ask this question are waaaay overcomplicating what they’re eating. By doing so they’re spending too much time in the kitchen, too much time grocery shopping, too much time cooking complicated meals. And that last one usually leads with a sink full of too many dishes to do. This might be fine… for about a week. Then eating well can quickly change into a chore that’s unsustainable in your life for the long term. Actually making it easier is how you make it easier.
That, my friends, is where skillets and one pan meals come in. Scratch that. One pan 30 minute meals. Throwing everything into a pan, having a meal that was simple to make, and then only one thing to clean up. Looking for areas in your current routine that are making it feel harder than it needs to be is a good way to start simplifying. Cutting out the extra steps, or finding ways to make real food work for your life (instead of the other way around) is key.
This Whole30 and Paleo cashew chicken skillet is a perfect example. There’s very little effort, time or clean up involved. Even the ingredients I used didn’t cause me to spend extra time in the store. One way I started making cooking easier for me, and cutting out those extra steps, was switching from boxed liquid bone broth to Vital Proteins Collagen Bone Broth powder. It’s been 7 months now, and I’ve never looked back.
Using Collagen Bone Broth saves me time and money and effort. I mean, have you ever tried to find boxed broth in a grocery store without ridiculous additives? It takes some serious detective skills and a lot of time spent in the broth aisle you’ll never get back.
I never have to even go down that aisle anymore and it’s pretty much the greatest step to skip at the grocery store ever. With my Vital Proteins, I always have it on hand AND it’s Whole30 Approved. The only ingredient? Organic chicken bone broth powder.
I also end up saving money because I’m no longer wasting half of an expensive carton of broth that got lost in my fridge. Most recipes only call for 1-2 cups, then you’re left with an awkward amount left over. Once opened, liquid containers are only good in the fridge for 7 days. I either forgot it was in my fridge, or didn’t need to use it in those 7 days more often than not. Now I’m not wasting anything because I’m using up all of the Vital Proteins Collagen Bone Broth the course of a few months until it’s gone. No dollars or broth left behind.
Not only am I not wasting money or time or cabinet space on cartons of broth, I’m getting tons of added health benefits from the collagen, this Whole30 skillet is the perfect example. So basically this Paleo cashew chicken skillet just leveled up from awesome for you to really awesome for you. If you’re unfamiliar with collagen, read my tell-all guide to collagen to speed yourself up.
Just a few of the numerous benefits of adding collagen to your diet are improved joint pain and degeneration, helps with leaky gut, digestion, improves skin, nails and hair, speeds up recovery time after illness and workouts. And that’s just the short list. Plus this powdered broth can be used exactly the same way as the liquid stuff, making it a super easy and healthier switch.
Get my favorite chicken bone broth HERE
I really do just love having it on hand. And I’m reminded how convenient it is for quick recipes like this Paleo cashew chicken skillet when I only need a small amount. Another step I totally skipped the hassle on for this recipe? A really good sale on pre-cut veggies from Target. Can’t pass that up!
Other tasty (and easy) ways to use Collagen Bone Broth:
Chorizo and Butternut Squash Chili
Best Ever Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
Enjoy!
PrintPaleo Cashew Chicken: Paleo, One Pan, 30 Minutes
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Paleo Entree
- Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients
For the Stir-Fry:
- 1 pound chicken breasts, diced into 1” cubes
- 3 green onions, chopped
- 2 cups broccoli florets
- 1 red or green pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 cup sugar snap peas
- 1 cup shredded carrots
- 1/2 cup raw cashews (or lightly roasted is fine)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Sauce:
- 1/4 cup chicken broth
- 4 tablespoons almond butter
- 4 tablespoons coconut aminos
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon ginger powder
- Optional: 2 tablespoons honey(omit for Whole30)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat
- Once hot, add diced chicken and salt and let begin to brown on both sides, about 5 minutes
- While chicken is browning, combine sauce ingredients into a small bowl, mix well and set aside
- Add garlic to the pan, followed by broccoli, peppers and snap peas
- Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables are cooked halfway
- Add in the carrots, green onions and sauce and mix well to evenly coat
- Continue stirring frequently another 5-10 minutes until sauce has thickened and veggies are fully cooked
- Mix in the cashews and serve!
- If sauce hasn’t thickened but your veggies are tender to your preference (still crisp or fork tender), move the chicken and veggies with a slotted spoon to serving dish. Allow sauce to continue to thicken a few additional minutes. Once it’s bubbling and thick, pour over cashew chicken and mix.
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 452
- Sugar: 9
- Fat: 24
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Protein: 37
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Cristy says
I made this tonight and it was so good! I served it over some riced cauliflower and it was tasty. I didn’t add the optional honey, but it still had just the perfect amount of sweetness from the almond butter I assume. I doubled the recipe and I’m so glad I did.
Rebecca says
My 3 picky boys loved this so I’m definitely putting this in the week night rotation. Super easy to make. The sauce was a little thick for my liking (I could have thinned it out a little), but there were no leftovers! Cashew Chicken FTW!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you, Rebecca!
Meg says
This is so good I made it three weeks in a row! You know a dish is good when you meal prep it for the week are are still excited by Friday
paleobailey says
Oh this made my day, Meg. Thank you so, so much for letting me know!! <3 - B
Angie says
Great recipe!
paleobailey says
Thank you!!
Erica says
This is so good! We loved it! For meal preping, I left out the cashews until I was ready to eat it so they didn’t get too soft.
paleobailey says
GREAT tip!! That’s brilliant. Not sure why I didn’t even think of that so thank you for sharing! <3 - B
Laura says
Awesome flavour, actually a quick meal (I find some sites will claim it’s a 30 minute meal and then an hour later.. I’m still not done cooking), perfect for weeknights, and even better for leftover lunch the next day. Now added to our “fav” list! Thanks Bailey!
paleobailey says
Woo! I’m so happy to hear it. Thank you, Laura!
Miranda Gibson says
I like the recipe. But with that being said, you’re nutrition calculations are way off. I just calculated everything with a calorie counter by scanning barcodes and the calories are so much higher!!!
paleobailey says
I’m glad you like the recipe! The nutrition calculator we use is the one most often used to calculate macros for cookbooks – it’s also all based on the specific products/brands we use in the recipe. Phone apps, coupled with different products can vary the macros WILDLY. Macros are provided as a general look at what the recipe is nutritionally – they will never be precise due to the two factors listed above. Sorry to see you rated the recipe itself two stars due to that! Best – B
Lauren B says
I made this yesterday to have for lunch all week – after day 1, I can tell it was a great decision! The recipe came together easily & is SO TASTY.
paleobailey says
Yess! Thank you, Lauren! Thrilled you loved it <3 - B
Brittany says
This is now in my regular line-up since finishing Whole30 and transitioning to paleo. I double the recipe to meal-prep for the week, and it keeps very well from Sunday to Friday. I also replaced the sugar snap peas with fresh green beans and chicken breast with chicken thighs (just a preference, and it’s cheaper!). Even my very non-paleo husband likes it. Thank you for the wonderful recipe!
paleobailey says
Thank YOU! And I agree, I love chicken thighs too!!
Susan DeLaurentis says
Such a delicious recipe! Made it tonight and had to exercise real self control to keep to a reasonable portion. My husband loved it too! One question – are the nutrition facts at the end for the entire recipe or for 1 portion?Actually 2 questions – what is the total amount the recipe makes? I ate it too quickly to measure:)
paleobailey says
So glad you and your husband liked it!!
It’s for 1 serving, and I’m not sure what you total for the recipe you mean. If it’s still for calorie count info for the entire recipe, it would be 1 serving multiplied by 4 🙂
Courtney R says
Hosted some non-Whole30 folks for dinner, and this was a huge hit with everyone!! I was even asked for the recipe! #winning
paleobailey says
Woo!! Thank you so much Courtney! You made my day! 🙂
Claire O'Connor says
Looks great! Can this be made without the coconut aminos? Thx!
paleobailey says
Sure! It might change the flavor a bit, but I think it would still be delicious!
Denise says
I ordered this broth a week ago after seeing this and reading other reviews.. only a week later and I have to tell you, YOU WERE RIGHT! I won’t go back to boxed containers again. And this recipe is our new favorite! Thank you for all you do!
paleobailey says
I’m so happy to hear that Denise! You are so welcome. This is truly my favorite pantry staple!
Laura says
I make this WEEKLY! Thank you!
paleobailey says
Ahhhh! Thank you!!
Brittany Whiting says
I would like to make this but would like to substitute kettle one beef broth instead of buying the vital proteins collegen. How much beef broth should I use?
paleobailey says
You’d just substitute the water for broth and use 1/4 cup broth 🙂
Belinda says
Oh Bailey, I cannot thank you enough for this recipe! It is so delicious, I’m on my last 4 days of a Whole30 and I still look forward to this meal every day! That almond butter sauce is so tasty, any other ideas what to make with it?
paleobailey says
I’m so glad you love it!! You could use it with any stir fry, or with a zucchini noodle or spaghetti squash pad Thai? Or maybe even as a chicken wing marinade 🙂
Kourtney says
What almond butter do you use?
paleobailey says
Hi there! I usually use the Thrive Market creamy brand, or the Whole Foods creamy almond butter 🙂
Kristen says
Made this for dinner tonight and it was a hit with the whole fam!
paleobailey says
Hey, Kristen! I’m SO glad everyone enjoyed it. Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know! You made my night! 🙂
Alex says
This may be a stupid question, but should I be using raw cashews in this recipe?
paleobailey says
Hi there! Not a stupid question at all! I’ll edit to clarify now 🙂 But you can use raw, or lightly roasted if you’d like. I’ve made it a few times with both depending on what I had and it was good either way!
Sherri says
Hi. I did a Whole30 back in January and my husband and I are continuing to eat clean and healthy at least 85% of the time. I have enjoyed so many of your recipes. The sweet and sour chicken being one of my favorites. I can’t wait to try this one. Hoping to do so tonight. I don’t have any Vital Proteins Collagen powder right now. As soon as I use up the boxed broth I bought I plan to switch to it.
So, that being said, how much broth should I use in the sauce? Should I still use the water? Hope you see this soon and can comment.
Thanks for all your inspiration!
paleobailey says
Hi Sherri! Thank you so much for your kind words – LOVE that you love the sweet and sour chicken! As for the broth, you’ll just replace the water with the amount of liquid broth! Great question 🙂