Delicious and easy stir-fry paleo chicken with baby spinach and mini sweet peppers is ready in a snap.
Sometimes recipes are born in times of adversity. That’s how this easy paleo chicken with baby spinach and mini sweet peppers entered the world.
I had planned to roast a turkey breast for dinner. But when I turned on the oven, I heard a pop! Hmmm….That didn’t sound good. I also noticed the power to the stove had gone out.
Obviously, the breaker had tripped. I reset the breaker, but when I turned the oven on, again I heard that pop! That was it. My oven was dead.
Okay, what to do? Going out to dinner sounded good to me. That would be the fun thing to do. Right, ladies?
But we were having some work done on the house so we wouldn’t have been able to get out to eat at a reasonable time.
How about ordering out? Nope, John doesn’t want take-out.
I needed to stay calm and think fast. What could I make for dinner? Then it came to me.
When I bought the turkey, I had also purchased some thin sliced chicken for later in the week. I did have something to make.
And, fortunately, my stovetop was still working.
Also, I had some baby spinach and mini sweet peppers in the fridge that I had planned to use for the next day’s salad. That’s all I needed.
I put the turkey breast into the freezer and decided to make a chicken stir-fry instead. Voilà! This easy paleo chicken with baby spinach and mini sweet peppers was born.
Recipe variation
For a flavorful twist on this dish, try swapping out the butter, parmesan, and lemon for my Ultimate Gluten Free Stir Fry Sauce.
Next time you’re looking for new delicious dinner ideas, browse my gluten free dinner collection for a variety of tasty recipes that will make meal planning a breeze.
For a taste of what’s included, try Mastering the Ultimate Juicy Bone-In Chicken Breast, delicious Garlicky Chicken Over Spaghetti Squash, or naturally gluten free Pork Marsala.
Here’s how easy it is to make this stir-fry recipe.
Ingredients
First, you’ll definitely want to lay out all of your ingredients before you start cooking because this dish will be ready in a snap.
That was great for me because I had wasted so much time messing with the oven.
Next, cut up the chicken into strips. Thin slices cook fast.
Then slice the peppers. These organic mini sweet peppers were perfect for the stir-fry and easy to slice into bite-sized rounds.
Certainly, you can substitute 2-3 regular-sized peppers if you don’t have these small ones. Thin sliced regular peppers would be just as tasty.
Finally, chop up your garlic, set out your spinach, crushed red pepper, oregano, salt, black pepper, grated Parmesan, butter, and lemon juice.
And you’re ready to start cooking.
Instructions
*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.
In a large frying pan or wok, heat avocado oil over a medium flame, but not smoking.
I love cooking with avocado oil. Refined avocado oil is highly nutritious and loaded with antioxidants. It’s very heat stable with one of the highest smoke points making it one of the best possible oils for stir frying.
You don’t need to have a high flame. Just keep the flame on medium and make sure the oil doesn’t start to smoke. Read What You Need To Know About Healthy And Unhealthy Cooking Fats here.
Next, add the chicken and cook, stirring continuously until the chicken is tender, about three-four minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
Then stir fry the sliced peppers along with garlic, salt, and pepper. Now to jazz it up a bit, sprinkle in some crushed red pepper and oregano.
When the peppers are just cooked, add butter and stir until it melts. Butter makes this dish scrumptious.
I’ve been using Kerrygold butter that is made with grass-fed cow’s milk.
Finally, toss the chicken back in the wok with the spinach and keep the ingredients moving constantly by stirring with a wooden spoon for a minute or two.
You’ll find that the spinach wilts as the flavors merge. Turn off the flame and sprinkle the stir-fry with Parmesan cheese, parsley, and some lemon juice. Toss and it’s done.
Pro tips and recipe notes
- Don’t have avocado oil on hand? That’s o.k. You may substitute extra-virgin olive oil or whichever oil you prefer. Again, you don’t need to have a high flame. Just keep the flame on medium and make sure the oil doesn’t start to smoke.
- This stir fry has been added to my roundup of 6 low-carb lunches you can bring to work because it’s both delicious and easy to pack, making it a perfect choice for a satisfying and convenient meal.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days.
Nicole and I will be off to the Tribe Writer’s Conference in Tennessee this week. We’re looking forward to meeting up with lots of fellow bloggers.
It’s our first conference together. I’m also really looking forward to some special mother-daughter time.
Since I’ll be away, I won’t have a new recipe for you, but John is working on an amazing new post about the extraordinary extra-virgin olive oil benefits everyone should include in their diet.
And we’ll have a special giveaway for you too. So stay tuned for the next post and your chance to win a tasty free gift.
Oh, by the way, we’ve had that stove fixed so many times that we’ve decided that it’s seen better days. John promises me a brand new stove when I return. It’s not diamonds, but I’ll take it. LOL
In the meantime, make this delicious stir fry. I’d love to hear how you like it.
Please say hi and leave me a comment below and share the recipe with a friend.
Have a happy and healthy week!
Love an easy stir-fry? Try these recipes
Savory chicken stir-fry with spinach, mushroom, and tomatoes: This savory chicken stir fry is flavored with a beautiful medley of Indian spices.
Keto low carb fried cabbage and knockwurst: With only 6 ingredients, this healthy and satisfying dish is a quick weeknight dinner or an easy meal to prep for grab-and-go lunches.
One pot paleo stir-fry: marinated chicken with kale, broccoli and sweet potatoes in a beautiful white wine lemon butter sauce. So flavorful. So perfect.
Stir Fry Chicken With Sugar Free Teriyaki Sauce – This is nourishing and quick to make with lots of vegetables, easy homemade sauce, and tender chicken. And best of all, it’s keto, lowcarb, and gluten free.
Gluten-Free Chicken Fajitas: Recreate Restaurant Quality in Your Kitchen: This is made with tender chicken infused with homemade fajita seasonings, colorful bell peppers and caramelized onions. It’s gluten free, dairy free, and low carb!
Love this recipe? Pin it!
Easy Paleo Chicken With Baby Spinach And Mini Sweet Peppers
Ingredients
- 2 pounds chicken breasts cut into thin strips
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 1 pound mini sweet peppers
- 4 cloves garlic chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1 teaspoon oregano
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 10 ounces baby spinach
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese grated
- 2 tablespoons parsley
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Instructions
- In a large frying pan or wok, heat avocado oil over a medium flame, but not smoking.2 tablespoons avocado oil
- Add chicken and cook, stirring continuously until the chicken is tender, about three-four minutes. Remove the chicken to a plate and set aside.2 pounds chicken breasts
- Then stir fry the sliced peppers along with garlic, crushed red pepper, oregano,salt, and pepper.1 pound mini sweet peppers, 4 cloves garlic, 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper, 1 teaspoon oregano, salt and pepper to taste
- When the peppers are just cooked, 1-2 minutes, add butter and stir until it melts.2 tablespoons butter
- Finally, toss the chicken back in the wok with the spinach and keep the ingredients moving constantly by stirring with a wooden spoon for a minute or two. You'll find that the spinach wilts as the flavors merge.10 ounces baby spinach
- Turn off the flame and add Parmesan cheese, parsley, and lemon juice. Toss and serve.1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 2 tablespoons parsley
Notes
- Lay out all of your ingredients before you start cooking because this dish will be ready in a snap.
- Don’t have avocado oil on hand? That’s o.k. You may substitute extra-virgin olive oil or whichever oil you prefer. You don’t need to have a high flame. Just keep the flame on medium and make sure the oil doesn’t start to smoke.
- Leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for 4 days.
Nutrition
- Ham Bone Soup Recipe - December 29, 2024
- How To Bake A Bone-In Ham Recipe - December 27, 2024
- Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Donut Recipe - December 23, 2024
- Caramelized Onion Dip Recipe - November 6, 2024
- Gluten Free Apple Cider Donut Recipe - October 29, 2024
Amber says
My mouth was watering as I read this recipe. I will definitely have to try this!
Barbara says
Ha ha I’m so happy. I’d love to hear back from you after you make it. I hope you love it. 🙂
Life Loving says
Yum! Sometimes these things are serendipitous. If your oven hadn’t broken you wouldn’t have discovered this delicious dish. I love how simple stir fries are. Anyone that says they don’t have time to cool has never stir fried.
Sally @ Life Loving
Barbara says
It’s true, Sally. There’s always time for a stir fry. 🙂
Eugenia says
What an amazing recipe! Just looking at this makes my mouth watering! Love healthy and easy to make recipes! Pinned it
Barbara says
Thanks so much, Eugenia. I’m so glad that you enjoyed this recipe. 🙂
Delilah says
Do you think this would be good over brown rice or zoodles??
Barbara says
Hi Delilah, This would definitely be delicious over rice or zoodles. Yum. 😋