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What Great Grandma Ate / Recipes / 30 Minutes or Less / Creamy Skillet Chicken with Garlic & Basil (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)

Creamy Skillet Chicken with Garlic & Basil (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)

Last Updated on August 20, 2020 by Jean Choi 27 Comments

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Grab a copy of my cookbook, Korean Paleo: 80 Bold-Flavored, Gluten- and Grain-Free Recipes!

This creamy skillet chicken cooked in a garlic and basil sauce is a delicious one pot meal that’s ready in just 30 minutes. It’s Whole30 and keto-friendly, and packed with flavor!

creamy chicken skillet - Lifting a chicken thigh with a spoon

I just love a quick and easy meal on busy weeknights and these one pot chicken thighs are perfect example of that. It’s a recipe that proves that chicken doesn’t need to be dry or boring, especially when coated and cooked in a delicious sauce. On top of being a simple recipe that anyone can follow, these Whole30 chicken thighs are a one pot meal. This means that cleanup is breeze as well!

Creamy Skillet Chicken with Garlic & Basil

This Whole30 and keto skillet chicken is dairy free, so creamy, and insanely flavorful. I like to use chicken thighs because they are more tender and harder to overcook than chicken breasts, but either will work! The sauce base is composed of coconut milk, bone broth, and lemon juice, and then simmered down to thicken and reduce. The thighs are coated in this sauce infused with garlic and basil, and the end result is this delicious and creamy garlic basil chicken dish!

close up of creamy garlic basil chicken in a skillet
lifting a chicken thigh from creamy garlic chicken skillet

How to Make Creamy Garlic Basil Chicken

This creamy garlic chicken skillet packed with basil is made all in one skillet and the instructions are easy to follow:

  1. Pan sear the chicken first. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then sear in a large skillet for 4 minutes on each side. Set aside to a plate while you make the sauce.
  2. Add onion, garlic, crushed, red pepper, salt, and pepper to the same skillet and cook stirring for 5 minutes.
  3. Pour in coconut milk, bone broth, and lemon juice, and simmer for 5 minutes until reduce and thickened.
  4. Stir in basil leaves and simmer for just a minute until wilted and cooked down.
  5. Add the chicken thighs back into the skillet to simmer in the sauce for a minute until heated through.

That’s it! You can serve these one pot chicken thighs right away with your favorite sides.

One pot chicken thighs

What to Serve with Garlic & Basil Creamy Skillet Chicken

You can serve this creamy garlic basil chicken recipe with various sides. To keep it Whole30 and keto, serve with:

  • cauliflower rice
  • zucchini noodles
  • spaghetti squash
  • roasted veggies like asparagus, broccoli, or cauliflower

All of the above will work if you are following the autoimmune protocol as well. I actually included substitutions and omissions in the recipe box below for my AIP folks who want to enjoy this Whole30 and keto skillet chicken.

For anyone following a grain free, AIP, or paleo diet, I know Jovial Foods started making cassava flour pasta products that I’ve heard great things about. I think they would be fantastic with this creamy skillet chicken, so check those out here!

Whole30 chicken thigh in a skillet garnished with basil

If you enjoyed these paleo and Whole30 chicken thighs, you might also like…

  • Instant Pot Chicken Cacciatore (Paleo, Whole30, Keto)
  • Paleo Chicken and Rice Casserole
  • Paleo Shrimp Alfredo with Artichokes Hearts (Whole30, Keto, AIP)
  • Instant Pot Paleo Cauliflower Mushroom Risotto (Whole30, Vegan, AIP)

Creamy Skillet Chicken with Garlic & Basil (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)

This creamy skillet chicken cooked in garlic and basil sauce is a delicious one pot meal that's ready in just 30 minutes. It's a Whole30 and keto-friendly, and packed with flavor!
4.85 from 13 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: 30 minute whole30 meals, aip chicken recipes, creamy garlic basil chicken, creamy garlic chicken skillet, easy weeknight meals, keto chicken recipes, keto skillet chicken, one pot chicken thighs, paleo one pot meals, whole30 chicken recipes, whole30 chicken thighs, whole30 one pot meals
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Calories: 403kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp ghee or your favorite cooking oil, divided – use coconut oil for AIP
  • 1½ lb boneless skinless chicken thighs
  • Salt and pepper to taste – omit pepper for AIP
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 6 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper or more to taste – omit for AIP
  • 1 cup coconut milk or any type of creamy milk (can use heavy cream for keto)
  • 1/2 cup bone broth or chicken broth
  • Juice from 1 lemon
  • 1 cup packed basil leaves

Instructions

  • Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a large skillet over medium high heat.
  • Sprinkle the chicken generously with salt and pepper.
  • Sear the chicken for 4 minutes per side. Remove and set aside on plate.
  • Add the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee in the skillet.
  • Add onion, garlic, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper, and cook for 5 minutes until the onions are translucent.
  • Add coconut milk, broth, and lemon juice and bring to a boil while scraping the bottom of the skillet to deglaze. Reduce the heat to simmer for 4-5 minutes until the sauce is reduced and thickened, stirring often.
  • Stir in basil and cook for a minute until wilted.
  • Add the chicken back in the skillet and simmer for another minute to heat through. Serve.
Nutrition Facts
Creamy Skillet Chicken with Garlic & Basil (Paleo, Whole30, Keto, AIP Option)
Amount Per Serving (1 serving – makes 4)
Calories 403 Calories from Fat 243
% Daily Value*
Fat 27g42%
Saturated Fat 17g106%
Cholesterol 181mg60%
Sodium 174mg8%
Potassium 617mg18%
Carbohydrates 6g2%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 36g72%
Vitamin A 394IU8%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 51mg5%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
What Great Grandma Ate / Jean Choi is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Regarding other affiliate links and affiliate relationships: In order for me to support my blogging activities, I may receive monetary compensation or other types of remuneration for my endorsement, recommendation, testimonial and/or link to any products or services from this blog. Thank you for your support and understanding.


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By Jean Choi | August 17, 2020

Comments

  1. Stacey Crawford says

    August 25, 2020 at 9:45 am

    5 stars
    I love simple, one skillet meals. This is perfect for tonight!

    Reply
  2. Raia says

    August 26, 2020 at 10:32 am

    5 stars
    Mmmmm… total comfort food. So delicious!

    Reply
  3. ChihYu says

    August 26, 2020 at 6:42 pm

    5 stars
    So delicious! That amazing sauce with the juicy chicken is so good!

    Reply
  4. Megan Stevens says

    August 27, 2020 at 7:26 am

    5 stars
    The coconut milk and red pepper flakes are so good together. Thanks for this one-pan dinner, my favorite way to make dinner after a long day! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Sunrita | Spiceitupp says

    August 28, 2020 at 10:33 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe. It’s so easy to put together with simple yet amazing flavours surely making this.

    Reply
  6. Don says

    August 28, 2020 at 1:35 pm

    5 stars
    A creamy sauce with basil and garlic is basically heaven to me. And this lived up to its promise! It’s so good!

    Reply
  7. jennifer says

    August 29, 2020 at 2:22 pm

    5 stars
    even though we are back-to-school at home, this is the perfect BTS dinner . .. still always busy and running behind, and this delicious skillet dish saved the day!

    Reply
  8. Stephanie says

    November 7, 2020 at 10:53 am

    Can I use something else instead of the coconut milk?

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      November 8, 2020 at 4:52 pm

      Sure! If you can do dairy, heavy cream will work. If you are dairy free, thick cashew milk can be used.

      Reply
  9. Kristina Miranda says

    December 16, 2020 at 6:52 pm

    3 stars
    I couldn’t get the sauce to thicken without using a ton of corn starch. I probably messed it up by increasing the measurements times 6. After I finally got it to thicken I thought it tasted good, not too overwhelming a taste at all.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      January 14, 2021 at 4:39 pm

      The sauce won’t thicken that much for this recipe. You can try adding arrowroot and tapioca starch for a thicker sauce. I would starch with equal amount of water before adding it to the sauce.

      Reply
  10. Stacy Hoisington says

    January 10, 2021 at 7:48 pm

    5 stars
    My whole family loved this meal! The sauce was so delicious and flavorful.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      January 14, 2021 at 4:21 pm

      Thank you so much!!

      Reply
  11. Amy K Rooks says

    March 2, 2021 at 11:04 am

    5 stars
    Love this recipe and it was so easy to make! My husband loved it too and he does not like coconut milk at all.

    I did mix up a little arrowroot and water to add to the sauce to thicken it and it worked nicely. I also used dried basil because I had it on hand but it would be even better with fresh.

    Thank you for the wonderful recipe!

    Reply
  12. Kassi says

    March 5, 2021 at 4:30 pm

    I was thinking about making this in the next few days, could I use breasts instead of thighs? Just asking because that’s what I have on hand.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      May 20, 2021 at 10:37 am

      Yes! You might have to cook a bit longer since breast meat tends to be thicker than thighs

      Reply
    • Kelsey says

      June 7, 2021 at 6:46 pm

      I used breasts and they work out great! I recommend butterfly cutting them and using a meat tenderizer (if you have one). Cutting them helps get the meat a relatively even thickness that will help cook evenly.

      Reply
  13. Debra Hamann says

    May 19, 2021 at 8:21 pm

    5 stars
    Great tasting and easy recipe! Didn’t have crushed red pepper flakes so used ground cayenne pepper instead and it worked well.

    My husband loved this recipe, had seconds, and usually doesn’t like coconut milk!

    Thankyou! Looking forward to cooking your other recipes and love your IG account!

    ☮️❤️

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      May 20, 2021 at 10:38 am

      Thank you so much, Debra! I’m so glad cayenne worked out. Makes me so happy that you and your husband enjoyed the recipe.

      Reply
  14. Liz says

    May 21, 2021 at 3:28 pm

    Looks good, do you think I could sub white wine for the broth? Thanks.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      May 21, 2021 at 4:48 pm

      Yes!

      Reply
  15. Jackie King says

    May 27, 2021 at 3:49 pm

    Thanks so much for this recipe! I often make with a whole can of coconut milk and a little more broth to use the sauce in other recipes. Tonight I put sliced Bella mushrooms in it. Tomorrow I will cook some Jovial cassava pasta and mix in the leftover sauce as a side dish. Yum!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      May 28, 2021 at 3:57 pm

      Sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed it.

      Reply
  16. Kelsey says

    June 7, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    I almost never review recipes, but this seriously changed my life on AIP! I’m 28 days in, and everything has been so bland or just the same, that it’s been so discouraging to eat anything. Found your recipe this weekend, and me and hubby (non AIP) were obsessed. I had mine with spaghetti squash, and his was with rice. It was so remarkably good that he asked for it for dinner again tonight – never happens in our house! Tonight I served it with roasted butternut squash, and hubby had pasta. This has earned a spot in my recipe book, and I’ll likely make this once a week for forever now!

    The only addition I make is 2 tsp arrowroot starch to help the sauce get super thick and creamy. Everything else I followed to a T and wouldn’t change! Thank you so much for this absolutely delicious recipe!! It’s turned AIP from disappointing and discouraging to delicious and hopeful. I’m going to look through your other recipes since this is such a winner!

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      July 17, 2021 at 11:22 am

      Just saw this, and thank you so much!! I appreciate it so much, and it makes me sooo happy to read reviews like this one.

      Reply
  17. Beth Mendez says

    July 15, 2021 at 6:54 pm

    5 stars
    I loved this! So good! I roasted some zucchini as a side.

    Reply
    • Jean Choi says

      July 17, 2021 at 11:20 am

      Thank you so much!! Love the idea of zucchini along with it.

      Reply

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Welcome!

headshot of Jean Choi - blogger of What Great Grandma Ate I’m Jean and I’m a Nutritional Therapist (NTP) living in Southern California with my husband and 2 dog babies. On WGGA, you’ll find simple and easy gluten-, dairy-, and processed sugar-free recipes that focus on quality nutrients, and of course, never sacrifice on taste. I believe that the food you love should love you back, making you feel amazing inside and out. I apologize in advance for my inappropriate jokes and misunderstood sarcasm! More About Jean

Recipe Key

  • 3030 Min or Less
  • AIPAIP
  • EFEgg Free
  • LCLow Carb
  • NFNut Free
  • PPaleo
  • VVegan
  • W3Whole 30

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