A delicious Parmesan and Walnut Crusted Chicken that is juicy on the inside and covered with a flavorful crunchy coating. This nut crusted chicken breast is far tastier than your standard fare, and the walnuts have beneficial omega-3 fatty acids!
Walnut Chicken
This Walnut Crusted Chicken recipe was created by request of my daughter, after she saw a similar dish in a magazine. I glanced over that recipe, and although I didn't have exactly what was called for, with just a few substitutions I could make a walnut coated chicken she would love even more.... and she did love it!
The recipe was inspired by a Parmesan and Pine Nut-Crusted Oven Fried Chicken from Cooking Light. I pretty much never have pine nuts on-hand, but did have plenty of walnuts... and they are loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Win win!
Making Walnut Crusted Chicken
The walnut coated chicken breasts or tenders are pan fried in a little oil, then finished in the oven, until golden brown. This makes for a nice moist chicken, yet keeps the absorbed fat to a reasonable level. I have to say, thanks to the walnuts, this chicken smells like heaven frying in that pan.
Recipe takes 25-30 mins total to prepare.
What you will need:
- Finely chopped walnuts
- yellow cornmeal
- onion powder
- dry rosemary leaves
- baking soda
- whole wheat flour
- grated Parmesan cheese
- buttermilk
- large egg white
- boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenders
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to season the chicken
- light olive oil or avocado oil
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 425 degree F.
Take each chicken breast (or tender) and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
In a food processor: Pulse together the nuts, cornmeal, onion powder and rosemary, then mix in the baking soda, flour and cheese to create the coating mixture. Dump this walnut mixture into a shallow bowl.
Beat the egg white and buttermilk together in a medium mixing bowl. Dredge each chicken breast in the egg mixture, then drop into the walnut mixture pressing to help it adhere until well coated.
Put oil in skillet over medium high heat. Once hot, place the chicken breasts or tenders into the pan. Cook in skillet for about 3 minutes, then place in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes for tenders, 12-15 minutes for breasts depending on their size. The walnut coating will be browned and crunchy.
Serve this recipe with a side of sautéed vegetables, rice, oven fries or with a green salad with a honey mustard dressing or yum yum sauce.
Walnut Crusted Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
- ¼ cup walnuts finely chopped
- 1 tbs yellow cornmeal
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dry rosemary leaves
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ cup whole wheat flour
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup low fat buttermilk
- 1 large egg white
- 1 ¼ pounds boneless chicken breasts or tenders
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 tbs oil light olive oil or avocado oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425°.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then set aside.
- Combine the walnuts, cornmeal, onion powder and rosemary in a food processor. Pulse until finely ground. Combine nut mixture, baking soda, flour and cheese in a shallow dish.
- Combine buttermilk and egg white in a shallow dish. Lightly beat.
- Dip the chicken in the buttermilk mixture; . Dredge in the walnut mixture.
- Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; swirl. Add chicken; sauté 3 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken over. Place pan in oven; bake at 425° for 10 minutes or until chicken is done.
Shell Feis says
That looks amazing! Cooking Light always has super delicious recipes. &I always have pine nuts, they are a favorite around here!
April Decheine says
Oh wow that looks really good! Nice and easy recipe.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
I love how easy this is to make. It's definitley something my whole family would like.
Tammy Litke (@threedifferent) says
That does look good and I like your substitute because I'm not a fan of Pine Nuts. Did Little Foodie like it?
Robin Gagnon says
She is actually hooked on Boca vegetarian chicken patties, and ended out having me put some of those in too. Dave & I ate the chicken.
Mickey says
My kids love the vegetarian version too, so maybe I'll try it with chicken and with Boca too. Thanks for the recipe. 🙂
Brandy says
I think this would be a delicious dinner idea for our house. Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Ty says
Bookmarking now! I'm totally going to make this like next week, yum!
Raijean says
I always find great recipes every time I come to your page.
Colleen says
Oh this sounds great. I always love finding new way to cook chicken.
Kathleen B says
Not only does this look and sound delicious, but it sounds like it would be incredibly kid friendly!
Rachel @ Following In My Shoes says
I don't think there is any fried chicken recipe that doesn't smell like heaven in a pan! Yum.
TerriAnn @ Cookies & Clogs says
I love how easy this is - just mix, chop, and cook!
vanessa: thequeenofswag says
Those look amazing! Parmesan flavored chicken recipes are always my favorite!
Lucero @We Are Earthformed says
I'd have to substitute something for the wheat flour, but this recipe looks very tasty.
Anne - says
I'm always looking fro more ways to cook chicken. This recipe looks great!
Theresa @ Faith and Family Reviews says
It looks amazing. I've never made a breaded type anything with nuts before.
Donna says
I love parmesan encrusted anything. 🙂 I also like the flavor of walnuts in recipes.
Angela says
This chicken recipe looks delightful. I'll have to try it soon.
Liz Mays says
I like that you used walnuts! My boyfriend is allergic to pine nuts, so I can't use them anyhow.
Paula @ Frosted Fingers says
This looks delicious! I'm going to give it a try in my air fryer.
Marcie W. says
This sounds great and I love the cheese/crunch combo!
Crystal says
These nut coated chicken fingers went over great with my kiddos!