Strawberry Salsa Chicken Bake (Whole30, Keto, Paleo)

I love summer produce! Especially when strawberries are in season. This savory spin is on berry goodness is one that is sure to win over your family. Strawberry Salsa Chicken Bake is the perfect one pot meal for your paleo, Whole30, or keto diet.

Table of Contents

Why this deliciously sweet, tart, savory dish works

Honestly, when I began putting this meal together there was no plan. I had chicken and I had the salsa which I whipped up with a few basics, including strawberries and rhubarb. At first, I thought I would make tacos. Then I got lazy. I didn’t want to make tortillas. I wanted an easy throw it in the oven kind of meal. So…

Strawberry Salsa Chicken Bake, boom. I avoid nightshades because they exasperate my autoimmune disease. If that is also you- or you just want to get creative with seasonal fruits; this Strawberry Salsa Chicken is a gamechanger. Add some cauliflower rice under the chicken and you really have a one pot meal that will WOW the ENTIRE FAMILY!

Grab Your Ingredients (AKA Rhubarb in my Casserole?!)

Yes! I had never really used rhubarb, except for my AIP Arroz Con Pollo. Instead of red bell peppers, or celery I went with rhubarb, which is also in season in the summer. But really, it wasn’t until recently that rhubarb piqued my interest. One of the things I love about the food blogger community: so much art, talent and inspiration. It was the FeedFeed Instagram, it was these tacos with strawberry and rhubarb salsa. GAME CHANGER. Sweet and tart salsa is something I can get behind, especially because I don’t eat tomatoes or peppers. And why the almond butter? Well if you haven’t done nut butter on your chicken, you’re missing out. It gives it an almost breaded, starchy component and it REALLY works. So you get the best of a taco inspired meal, in a casserole!

• Boneless skinless chicken thighs – these are more affordable and more flavorful than chicken breast, but you can use what you have!
• Unsweetened almond butter (or other nut butter) – this creates a lovey coating on the chicken.
• Garlic powder- staple seasoning in my kitchen!
• Cumin- my favorite seed based spice! Warm and carmative.
• Coconut oil – you can also use lard or bacon fat
• Rhubarb – if you can’t find it you can leave it out or use celery instead.
• Strawberries- always delicious and best when they’re in the peak season and so sweet!
• Diced onion- I like using vidalia or sweer onions.
• Cilantro- If you don’t like cilantro you can use parsley.
• Lemon- juice of one large lemon, lime will work too!
• Coconut aminos- to add a little sweetness and help the berries along with caramelizing.
• Cauliflower rice – adding a few cups of cauliflower rice under the chicken turns this chicken bake into a killer casserole.
• Shop for ingredients on Thrive Market!

Easy Peasy Chicken Casserole!

• Pre-heat your oven to 400F. In a bowl combine all of the salsa ingredients and gently toss. Set aside.
• In the casserole dish mix together chicken thighs, nut butter, coconut oil, and seasoning. Toss and mix, slathering the chicken.
• Then arrange your chicken thighs lined up, laying flat in the casserole dish.
• Spoon salsa over the chicken and place casserole dish in the oven.
• Roast for 45 minutes.
• Optional: Add a layer of cauliflower rice to the bottom of the casserole dish before adding in the chicken and turn this baked chicken dish into a taco casserole!