This is a healthy dinner the whole family will love! Tender and juicy almond-crusted chicken, paired with homemade basil pesto pasta. Then sprinkle with cheese and broil! My kids asked for this as leftovers the next day but it was already gone.
Yesterday I woke up, put my feet on the floor, and noticed a brown spot on my toe that’s never been there before. It looked like a mole had developed overnight and I started freaking out. “Oh my gosh it’s cancer and I’m going to diiiiie!” While Eric helped me examine it (I’m pregnant and examining my toes is no small feat), I told him that a mole that developed so rapidly was surely going to kill me. Then he rubbed it. And it came off. Because it was dirt. I swear I’m not a hypochondriac. I had melanoma successfully removed a few years ago so it actually is something I need to look out for. But note to self: moles do NOT grow overnight. Also, another note to self: CLEAN YOUR FEET KAREN, YOU’RE AN ANIMAL.
This week my best friend Sarah’s family came and stayed with us while they waited for their stuff to arrive from Texas. (They are moving to the Bay Area.) Between my 2 kids, their 4, and my average-sized table, dinner became basically a two-shift event every night. When there are 6 children ages 6 and under eating at the same time, my advice is to not take your eyes off them. Either that or leave the room entirely so that you have no idea how much salad dressing is being flung on your walls. But there weren’t too many issues the night we fed them this almond-crusted chicken. I had to leave dinner early for a church meeting, but Sarah told me later that “they vacuumed it up.” The next day the kids wanted it again, but by then it was gone. That is what I call success.
I mean what’s not to love? The chicken is juicy and tender (make sure you use a meat thermomter! 160 is fine, 165 will overcook it.) and it has the perfect crispy-crunchy-yet-healthy almond crust. Pair it with some cheesy pesto pasta (with just a little bit of a kick) and you have an entire family of happy campers. I love using almonds in place of stuff. There are so many options. I use almond milk instead of cow milk all the time these days. And for this recipe, replacing breadcrumbs with almonds for the crust of the chicken makes it way healthier, AND gives it another flavor element that I love. The possibilities are endless!
This year Blue Diamond (The Food Charlatan’s favorite sponsor :) is partnering up with the USA Swim Team. They are the official snack nut for the team, which is awesome, but I love to take those snack-able nuts and turn them into dinner. Dinners like this almond-crusted chicken. It’s super good you guys! Check out the details below the recipe to see how you can get a chance to win $5000. Almonds PLUS five grand? Sign me up dude.
You will love these recipes too!
Almond-Crusted Honey Dijon Tilapia (with Creamy Polenta) « this is definitely the way to eat tilapia. Slow Cooker Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce « this is rapidly becoming one of the most visited recipes on my blog. Easy Baked Pesto Chicken « this one is SO easy and super flavorful! Sriracha Almond Crusted Pork Chops from Recipe Runner Almond Crusted Chicken with Strawberry Balsamic Sauce from Cooking Classy Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | Twitter
This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Blue Diamond Almonds understand what it takes to be the best. That’s why we’re proud to be an official sponsor of USA Swimming.
