Why we dump butter on our chicken
After a weekend away and zero interest in a full grocery run, this is the dinner we fall back on every time: crispy, bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs on a single sheet pan, an arugula salad, and a few gut-friendly sides the whole family actually eats.
We call it “CDA Chicken” — short for Coeur d’Alene, where it was born during long lake days and a hungry extended family. Nicole walks you through the recipe while Dr. Chad explains the metabolic and gut-health reasoning behind every choice: why the skin stays on, why we cook in butter and avocado oil, why cooled rice becomes prebiotic fuel, and why a spoonful of kimchi earns its spot on the plate.
No seed oils. No complicated steps. Just a real Sunday dinner from our kitchen to yours.
WHAT’S ON THE PLATE
– Organic bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs basted in Kerrygold butter + avocado oil
– Arugula salad with shaved parmesan, red onion, olive oil + red wine vinegar
– Jasmine rice, cooked and cooled (resistant starch)
– Kimchi on the side
– Berries, dark chocolate & nuts for dessert
WHY THIS MEAL SUPPORTS METABOLIC HEALTH
– ~50g of protein from two thighs (we aim for 35g+ per meal)
– Monounsaturated fats from chicken, butter, and olive oil for satiety
– Acetic acid from vinegar helps blunt the post-meal glucose response
– Fermented foods and cooled rice feed a healthier gut microbiome
– Butyrate from aged parmesan and butter supports gut cell function
– Heme iron, B12, and zinc from dark meat
GOOD, BETTER, BEST
We’re not chasing perfection. If you’re cooking at home, you’re winning. Use organic when you can, the butter you already have, and the ingredients your family will actually eat.
CONNECT
Website: https://doctorchadlarson.com
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Practice inquiries (The Adapt Lab): 858-209-2400
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⚠️ This content is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice. Please consult with your own healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, medications, or lifestyle.
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Disclaimer:
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.
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ABOUT ME: I’m Dr. Chad. I make real health education accessible to everybody. My main focus on this channel is to advance as much metabolic health as I can. My goal is to reverse as much Metabolic Syndrome (MetSyn) as possible. Wait, what!?! You’ve never heard of MetSyn? Well, you’re not alone. I call MetSyn, “the most important health condition you’ve never heard of.” And it’s my job to change that.
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