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.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 02/9/22
Tested by
Jacqueline Tris
Jacqueline Tris
Tested by Jacqueline Tris
Jacqueline is a freelance recipe tester and developer, with a love of content creation and fun recipes.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Almond Crusted Chicken and salad on a plate

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 21 mins
Total: 36 mins
Servings: 4 servings
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
539 Calories
28g Fat
10g Carbs
63g Protein
×
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 thinly 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.

"Although making your own almond meal may feel like a hassle, doing so really elevates the dish. It also gives you control over your preferred crunch and texture. Using almonds instead of breadcrumbs is also a great gluten-free alternative!" -Jacqueline Tris

Almond Crusted Chicken/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • Cooking spray

  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast cutlets 

  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided

  • 1 1/2 cups raw almonds

  • 1 teaspoon dried parsley

  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano

  • 1 large egg, beaten

  • 1 tablespoon water

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Almond Crusted Chicken ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat to 450 F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper, then spray lightly with cooking spray.

    Greased and parchment paper lined baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

    Chicken seasoned with salt and pepper on a platter, and salt and pepper in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. In a food processor or high-powered blender, pulse, then process almonds on high until a medium to fine meal forms and no large chunks of almonds remain.

    Almonds in a food processor

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

    Almond meal, salt, pepper, dried parsley, and dried oregano in a bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  6. In a second shallow bowl, combine the egg with the water, whisking to combine.

    Egg and water mixture in a bowl, with a fork

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

    Chicken pieces dipped into the egg mixture in the bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

    Chicken pieces crusted with the the almond mixture in the bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

    Almond crusted chicken on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

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

    Baked almond crusted chicken on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  11. Broil on high until the almond crust begins to brown slightly, 1 to 3 minutes. Serve immediately

    Baked Almond Crusted Chicken on a parchment paper lined baking sheet

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

How to Store

  • Leftover cutlets should be wrapped and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
  • You can make this ahead of time and freeze it in a freezer bag. Then reheat in a 350 F oven until warmed through. They will keep in the freezer for up to three months.