PAIRED WITH CHICKEN TACOS- VIDEO or SUMMER CHICKEN DINNER SALAD
This is a delicious way to eat chicken breast because if you use a thermometer it will stay nice and juicy. For a side vegetable you can add the Spring Slaw to your menu, or simply scrub some carrots, chop and simmer, and/or put together a fresh salad. (See end for directions.) Set aside one third of the chicken for the paired recipe Chicken Tacos to save yourself time, or use it sliced thin for great sandwiches, to top a salad, a home made pizza or to tuck into quesadillas.
Ingredients:
6 boneless skinless split chicken breasts -- approx. 7 oz. each
1 cup(s) almonds -- coarsley chopped
3 tbsp butter
1/2 cup(s) shallot(s) -- or onion, minced
1 cup(s) fine bread crumbs or panko
1/2 tsp thyme -- or double for fresh minced
1 pinch cayenne pepper
3 egg(s)
2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 cup(s) flour
Directions
Prep Work: Watch the VIDEO to make your prep easier! Trim excess fat from chicken breasts. Chop almonds in blender or food processor and store separately. Chop shallot/onion.
1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Pierce chicken all over (5-6x) with point of knife. Sprinkle salt over all. Refrigerate uncovered while preparing the rest. (I kept mine on a small cutting board.) Break eggs into a small bowl or flat dish and blend with a fork. Pour flour into a separate dish. Set both aside.
2. Process or blend nuts until they resemble size of coarse meal. (Set aside.) Place butter in skillet on medium heat and melt, stirring a few times, until golden brown in color. Add onion to butter. Cook until golden, approx. 5 min.
3. Add nuts and panko to onions and cook, stirring frequently until browned, approx. 8 min. Remove from heat and stir in thyme, cayenne, and some optional lemon, lime, or orange zest.
4. Grease baking dish with olive oil, dredge chicken through flour, egg, and then lay in pan with almonds and press. Flip over and cover the other side.
5. Bake 20 min., or until thermometer stuck into thickest part of meat reads 160 degrees. Let stand at least 5 min. on CLEAN cutting board before slicing. Put aside 1/3 of cooked chicken for the tacos.
Steamed Buttery Carrots: Scrub 6-8 carrots with a vegetable scrubber brush, cut at a diagonal, melt 4 tsp.butter in skillet, add 3 Tbsp. water, cover and simmer on low until softened, approx. 15 min.
Serve with a green or cabbage salad and fresh, and seasonal fruit for dessert in a pretty dish with just a dot of whipped cream to make it special.
Fresh Salad ideas: Buy ready cut lettuce, mix with some baby spinach, add favorite veggies: shaved carrot, radishes, English cucumbers, sprouts, julienned bell pepper, olives, kidney beans, cherry tomatoes…finish with dressing or just olive oil and your favorite flavored vinegar with a little salt and pepper.