Chicken breast or chicken thigh? What a question… Consuming chicken offers an array of health benefits. Being high in protein, rich in omega-6 fats, and low in calories, eating chicken is a popular choice for those on a Paleo diet.
Whilst both parts of the chicken offer these benefits, chicken thighs are slightly more fatty, especially when eaten with the skin on.
The real difference comes down to taste. When cooked, chicken thighs are tender and rich in taste. They are known for holding flavor and offer a juicy texture in comparison to chicken breast. However, knowing how to cook them is essential.
The last thing you want is a dry or overcooked chicken thigh that has been marinated with the wrong flavors. Being on a paleo diet consists of sticking to eating a specific food and avoiding certain foods.
It can sometimes be difficult to put a meal together whilst trying to figure out what can and can’t be included in your dish.
We understand the struggle! To help you cook with ease without worrying about the do’s and don’t of Paleo, we’ve put together a guide of the best chicken thigh recipes with peppery pesto. These recipes will give you inspiration on how to cook delicious and paleo-friendly meals.
5 Best Recipes
Unbound Wellness – One-Pan Chicken Pesto With Vegetables
This one-pan chicken pesto and vegetable recipe by unbound wellness is a classic example of how cooking a delicious meal doesn’t have to include a million ingredients or take up hours of your time.
With the business of life, it can sometimes be difficult to get creative with cooking after a long day. This recipe takes out all the hassle and offers a tantalizing solution.
All you have to do is simply blend the ingredients for the pesto together and then place the rest in the oven to do its magic. In less than 40 minutes you’ll have a full feast for the whole family.
This Recipe
- Is nut-free, gluten-free, Paleo, AIP, and Whole30-friendly.
- Keeps for 3-4 days
- Takes 35 minutes to cook
- Serves up to 4 people
This is a great recipe for an effortless meal on a weeknight or for those days when you don’t feel like cooking but you fancy a rich meal full of flavor.
The Real Simple Good Life – Easy Baked Pesto Chicken
This easy-baked pesto chicken recipe from The Real Simple Good Life is a game-changer. Quick one-pan recipe saves both time and effort. Smothered in creamy (yet dairy-free) pesto, this dish is one to save for the weekend.
The Real Simple Good Life offers an array of information, from the reasons why they use chicken thighs in their recipe, to helpful video tutorials for you to follow along to make sure you’re on the right track.
This Recipe
- Is Paleo-friendly and Whole30
- Cooks in 30 minutes
- Serves 4
This recipe pulls out all the stops with all the information on hand and helpful tips like storing any leftover pesto for using later as a dip.
Food & Wine – Pesto Baked Chicken Thighs
This pesto-baked chicken thigh recipe by Food & Wine is a quick and easy weeknight recipe. Marinated with the succulent flavors of pesto and cracked black pepper, this recipe is one that never gets old.
With the popularity of the tray bakes, this dish offers easy with minimal cleaning, making it a family favorite. This recipe offers the ingredients and cooking instructions for the chicken thighs leaving a little extra room for you to add what you wish to the dish and experiment a little.
This is a great dish for any looking to expand their imagination and play around with the flavors on offer. Feel free to add your favorite vegetables to make this dish your own.
This Recipe
- Paleo-friendly
- Serves 4
- Cooks in 45 minutes
Why not couple it with roasted broccoli, carrots, or bell peppers, seasoned with garlic, lemon, and black pepper?
Paleo Grubs – One-Pan Chicken Thighs with Roasted Peppers
This one-pan chicken thigh dish with roasted peppers by Paleo Grubs offers a combination of spicy and smoky flavors. This is a great recipe if you’re looking for something a little more extravagant.
This dish goes down a treat as a party dish or for a date night. With a spicy aroma and spread of vagrant colors, this dish is a showstopper.
But don’t let its extravagance put you off, this recipe is surprisingly easy to make. Only using a single pan, all you need to do for this dish is put everything together in the pan.
This Recipe
- Is paleo-friendly
- Serves 4
- Cooks in 40-45 minutes
Paleo Grubs stand out for going the extra mile. With this recipe, they offer invaluable information, from how to make a homemade sweet and spicy salsa mix for the dish, the health benefits of the ingredients included to how to preserve moisture in your chicken thighs.
Lee’s Provisions – Spicy Pesto Chicken Thighs
This delicious spicy pesto chicken thigh recipe by Lee’s Provisions offers a simple and easy sweet and spicy homemade pesto recipe. This recipe includes paleo-friendly ingredients such as swapping butter for ghee. This recipe is rich in protein and healthy fats.
This recipe certainly has a kick with peppery and zesty undertones. Enjoyed as a main meal or with added vegetables, this dish leaves space for experimentation if you’re feeling brave. This dish is pretty large and suitable for a family feast for everyone to enjoy.
Lee’s Provisions also include suggestions of alternative ingredients that would be suitable for vegetarians. This recipe is also free of nuts for those with allergies.
This Recipe
- Is paleo-friendly and nut-free
- Serves 5
- Cooks in 35 minutes
Takeaway
I bet you never knew there were so many ways to cook chicken thighs, pesto, and pepper…
The recipes presented show what can be done with just a few ingredients. They provide all the information you need to make a delicious and filling Paleo recipe.
Each recipe gives scope for personalization, a recipe is only a guide, it’s up to you how much you want to jazz it up. A couple of the recipes shown offer alternatives to help you play around with the dish.
Each also offers really quick and easy ways of cooking the chicken thighs that involve minimal mess and energy, giving you more time to just sit back and enjoy.