Almond Crusted Chicken Recipe

By
Morgan Baker
Morgan Walker
Morgan Baker
Morgan is a recipe developer and photographer. She is also a gardener and exceptional hugger.
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Published on 12/22/21
Almond Crusted Chicken Recipe

The Spruce Eats / Morgan Baker
Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 18 mins
Total: 28 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
539 Calories
28g Fat
10g Carbs
63g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 4
Amount per serving
Calories 539
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 28g 36%
Saturated Fat 4g 18%
Cholesterol 191mg 64%
Sodium 774mg 34%
Total Carbohydrate 10g 3%
Dietary Fiber 5g 19%
Total Sugars 2g
Protein 63g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 153mg 12%
Iron 4mg 21%
Potassium 769mg 16%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

This almond-crusted chicken is a brand new take on the typical weeknight baked chicken. It may seem like an extra step, but making your own almond meal ensures you are able to achieve the texture you prefer. In this case, something between a typical almond meal and crushed almonds is what you want. This will give you enough texture to get a delicious crunch, but will not be so fine that the almond meal turns to mush on the chicken. Remember, a few chunky pieces is a good thing.

Try pairing this dish with mac and cheese and a green salad for a delicious dinner that will please the whole family or all your friends. Alternatively, you can use the chicken to top a fresh chopped kale salad and sprinkle some dried cranberries, feta, and sliced bell pepper. Add a slightly sweet and citrusy dressing to compliment the warm, hearty almond flavor of the chicken. As a kids snack you could slice the chicken thin and plate them with a variety of dipping sauces like honey mustard, blue cheese, tangy barbecue, or even marinara for a fun take on chicken parmesan.

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ pounds boneless skinless chicken cutlets 

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1 teaspoon black pepper, divided

  • 1 1/2 cups raw almonds

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 large egg, whisked

  • 1 tablespoon water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Preheat the oven to 450 F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper then spray lightly with cooking spray.

  3. Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel then sprinkle both sides with 1 teaspoon of the salt and 1/2 teaspoon of the black pepper.

  4. In a food processor or high-powered blender, pulse the almonds on high until a fine meal is formed and no large chunks of almonds remain.

  5. In a shallow bowl, combine the almond meal, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, remaining 1/2 teaspoon pepper, dried parsley, and oregano.

  6. In a second shallow bowl, combine the egg with the water and whisk well.

  7. Coat the chicken first in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip back into the bowl.

  8. Then coat the cutlet in the almond mixture, pressing both sides to adhere the coating.

  9. Place on the prepared baking dish and repeat with the remaining chicken cutlets.

  10. Bake the chicken until a meat thermometer inserted in the center registers 165 F, 15 to 18 minutes. 

  11. Broil on high until the almond crust begins to brown slightly, 2 to 3 minutes.

How to Freeze

You could make this ahead of time and freeze it in a freezer bag. Then reheat in a 350 F oven until warm all the way through. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.