02.19.17
I’ve been really into cashews again lately for making basically ANY dish turn creamy & delicious.
They’re the best for dairy-free swaps like cheesecakes & creamy sauces. But, I was craving something a little different- something even more savory. And the thought of that cheesy cashew creaminess paired with somethin’ spicy… just sounded too good!
It almost takes on a cheesy sour cream taste, in the best sort of way- while being dairy-free!
As much as I LOVED this creamy chicken served over a baked sweet potato (the perfect flavor combo by the way) with some fresh veggies & hot sauce over top… I couldn’t help but just eat it straight from the bowl. It’s so creamy & decadent, it’s addicting!
Try this creamy deliciousness served your favorite style:
- scooped over a baked sweet potato or cauli-rice with fajita veggies for a “burrito bowl”,
- in a Paleo tortilla (try Siete Foods) with shredded lettuce and diced tomatoes for a creamy soft taco,
- as a protein-packed dip with veggies, plantain chips, or grain-free tortilla chips,
- mixed with bone broth for a creamy Mexican Chicken Chowder, or
- eaten with a fork- straight from the bowl!
Ready to get cooking!? Read on for the recipe – and tag me on Instagram if you make it! I’d love to see how you serve it up!
Print Recipe
5 from 8 votes
Creamy Salsa Verde Chicken
A creamy shredded chicken with tons of flavor, done dairy free and Whole30 compliant.
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lbs chicken, boneless & skinless breasts or thighs will work
- 12 oz salsa verde
- 1 cup raw cashews
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- juice of half of a lemon
- chopped cilantro, lime wedges, diced red onion optional garnish
Instructions
Add the chicken and salsa to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium heat. Cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through.
Reduce the heat to "low" and use two forks to shred the chicken, leaving it to sit in the salsa and juices.
Blend the cashews, coconut milk, lemon or lime juice, and spices until smooth. Stir the creamy sauce into the pot of salsa chicken. Continue to heat on "low" until warmed through.
Serve warm, garnish with cilantro, diced red onion, and a squeeze of fresh lime.
Notes
- We find Whole30 compliant salsa verde at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and pretty much any local grocery store. Just double check your labels for added sugar!
- Cashew pieces work really well in place of whole cashews when working with any recipe like this where you’re blending them up. They blend faster than whole cashews and are cheaper to purchase!
- You can also cook the chicken “Salsa Chicken” style in the slow cooker or Instant Pot if that’s what you prefer. If so, skip to step 3 and make and mix in your creamy sauce, and you’re done!
Filed dips sauces, Featured, instant pot, keto, one dish meals, Paleo, poultry, slow cooker, Whole 30
28 Comments
Reply
See AlsoBBQ Sweet N' Sour Chicken | Recipes | HMR ProgramGreek Nachos - Not Without SaltUtica Chicken Riggies (Original, Chef Joe Morelli recipe)Crispy Sour Cream and Onion Chicken RecipeJennifer C
August 2, 2020 at 6:28 pm
Hello, should the coconut milk be unsweetened?
Also, my son has a tree but allergy, would it be okay to use peanuts instead of cashews or something else?Reply
Jessie B
August 4, 2020 at 4:07 pm
Hi Jennifer! Yes – unsweetened coconut milk. For the cashews, I would go with something with a mild flavor like sunflower seeds or pine nuts. Peanuts would alter the flavor a bit too much. If you try it with another nut/seed, would love to know how it turns out!
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Jennifer Elsey
January 31, 2021 at 12:56 am
Absolutely delicious!!! Super easy too! I cooked the chicken and salsa verde in my Instant Pot. This dish will be a regular in my house!
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Jessie B
February 20, 2017 at 8:36 pm
Hi Tracy! I used canned coconut milk, but you could achieve this with a "light" version or any other milk alternative too! The cashews add most of the creaminess.
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Unknown
February 20, 2017 at 8:43 pm
Thanks Jessie! I can't wait to try it and plan on cooking it tonight! ~Tracy
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Anonymous
August 1, 2017 at 10:54 pm
Are you supposed to soak the cashews first or just out them in like they are ?
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Jessie B
August 1, 2017 at 11:25 pm
I typically just blend the raw cashews as is! Soaking can help them break down/blend more quickly, but it's not essential.
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Anonymous
August 2, 2017 at 3:37 am
Good to know. Thanks!!
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Danielle
June 11, 2019 at 4:43 am
This was easy and amazing!!! My son and husband gobbled it up!! Happy bellies. Thank you!!
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Carrie
June 26, 2019 at 3:48 am
This is amazing!! I was skeptical about blending unsoaked cashews but it was no problem. I will definitely be making this often!
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Karina
April 11, 2020 at 6:48 am
This was so delicious & creamy! And best part was how easy it was to make! I love your crockpot recipes!
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Jessie B
April 13, 2020 at 11:50 pm
Ah thank you, Karina! So happy you love it!!
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Alex
November 18, 2020 at 1:30 am
Hi, do you know what the macros are for one serving of this meal? Is there an easy way to calculate that?Reply
Jessie B
November 18, 2020 at 7:20 pm
I don’t have them for my older recipes (on the to-do list!) but if you look up the My Fitness Pal nutrition calculator – it’s amazing & super easy to use!
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Heidi
April 12, 2020 at 3:39 am
Made this for the first time tonight and it was a HUGE hit!! So much flavor! I was skeptical about a “creamy” salsa, but I could drink this stuff it was so good 🙂 Will be making again soon!
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Jessie B
April 13, 2020 at 11:51 pm
Haha I totally get it with the creamy salsa – but it’s sooo good right!? I’m so glad you loved it!!
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Janine
April 20, 2020 at 11:00 pm
This recipe was so amazing and so easy. My husband and I loved it.
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Jessie B
April 23, 2020 at 6:47 pm
So glad to hear that you loved it Janine! xo
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Roberta Humble
August 4, 2020 at 11:10 am
Looks so amazing! How long would you recommend cooking if doing it in an Instapot or crockpot? Thanks.
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Jessie B
August 4, 2020 at 4:05 pm
Hi Roberta! If you go to the “Notes” section of the recipe I linked to my Salsa Chicken recipe. That has instructions for both Instant Pot & slow cooker. Then you would just add in the creamy sauce (step 3). Hope that helps! 🙂
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Jessie B
August 13, 2020 at 5:06 pm
I’m not sure – sorry! I haven’t looked into AIP much.
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Kate
January 24, 2021 at 9:06 pm
So delicious and easy!
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Angie
September 23, 2022 at 1:54 am
do you have nutritional information on this recipe? I made it tonight and it was fabulous!!
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Ali F.
October 24, 2022 at 8:11 pm
This is one of our favorites in our household! I could eat the whole pot!
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Heather
December 6, 2022 at 1:21 am
This has been a regular in our dinner rotation since we discovered the recipe. It’s so yummy.
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Genvieve
January 18, 2023 at 11:34 am
This is delicious! Do you know if you can freeze leftovers?
