02/20/2022
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale
Ingredients
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale (Gaps, Paleo, Grain-Free)
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale (Gaps, Paleo, Grain-Free)
Ingredients
2 tablespoons ghee (click here for an easy homemade recipe)
1 teaspoon Celtic sea salt, divided
ļæ½2 yellow onions, minced
ļæ½4 cloves garlic, mincedļæ½
1/4 teaspoon dried thymeļæ½
2 teaspoons coconut flourļæ½ (optional, but will help create a thicker stew)
6 cups chicken stock
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breastsļæ½
4 cups butternut squash, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
ļæ½1 large head kale, cut into bite-size piecesļæ½
1/4 cup minced parsley
ļæ½1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
grain free,
Directions
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale (Gaps, Paleo, Grain-Free)
I often marvel at what even āgoodā stress can do to the body. Our family has enjoyed lots of excitement and change over the last few months. While theyāve all been good things, the cumulative effect on my body is added stress. I realized a few weeks ago I was having a hard time āturning my brain off.ā Have you ever had that happen? With all the screens we use in our lives ā smart phones, computers, tvs ā we can easily overdo it. I took a step back and realized I wasnāt allowing my body to fully rest. And not only was I finding my mind wouldnāt slow down, I noticed a few inches creep in around my waist. This is a classic indicator that my cortisol levels are too high. As a result, Iāve taken steps to turn the volume down and reset my system.
Long walks ā With the cooler temperatures, now is a great time to get outside and enjoy the chill in the air.
Keep the computer off all weekend ā This simple step has provided huge benefits! I turn it off on Friday, shut the door and donāt come back until Monday morning.
Simple dinners ā Soups, casseroles, salads, or have Pete do a little grilling. Iām making dinners that require minimal effort.
Open the windows ā How is it that fresh air can make a house smell so nice? Iāve opened the windows each morning to let in plenty of fresh air.
Socialize ā As much as I love working on Deliciously Organic, writing and recipe testing can be isolating. So, Iām making plans to get out with friends more often.
Detox ā I consulted my nutritionist and she agreed that the Intro to the Gaps Diet would be the perfect way to reset my system and help my cortisol levels subside. Itās not the easiest detox diet, but itās totally worth it. After just 5 days, Iāve lost an inch in my waist. Yep, itās working.
Have you been surprised by your bodyās ability to indicate when thereās too much stress in your life? The body can send signals in all sorts of ways and itās important to be aware of those signals. What steps do you take to reduce stress?
For the first few days of the detox, I basically just ate simple soups and fermented foods, but now Iām allowed to add some ghee and avocado back into my diet. I wanted a hearty stew the other night, so I came up with this chicken stew with butternut squash and kale. Itās nutritious, filling and great for a simple fall meal.
Chicken Stew with Butternut Squash and Kale (Gaps, Paleo, Grain-Free)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 300ĀŗF. Melt ghee in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions to the pot along with 1/2 teaspoon sea salt. Cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the thyme and coconut flour. Slowly whisk in the chicken stock and then scrape the bottom of the pot with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits.
Add the chicken breasts and squash and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot and place it in the oven for 1 1/4 hours.
Remove the pot from the oven and spoon out the chicken using a slotted spoon. Shred the chicken using two forks and then put the chicken back in the pot. Stir in the kale, cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in parsley and season to taste with remaining 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground pepper.2.2