Almond-Crusted Chicken with Homemade Pesto Pasta
User Reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
4 Servings
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Calories
1615 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Almond-Crusted Chicken with Homemade Pesto Pasta
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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.
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Ingredients
For the almond crust:
- 1 cup Whole Natural Blue Diamond Almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- pepper to taste
For the almond pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup Whole Natural Blue Diamond Almonds
- 1/2 cup parmesan shredded
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- salt to taste, remember how salty parmesan is; taste first
For egg wash:
- 1 egg
- 1 tablespoon pesto from the pesto you just made
For the chicken:
- 4 chicken breasts
- salt and pepper
- 1 tablespoon flour
For the pasta:
- 1 pound Spaghetti
- 1/2 cup pesto of the pesto you just made
- 1/4 cup butter 1/2 stick
- 1 teaspoon salt
- pepper to taste
- 1/2 pepper jack cheese or 1 cup, shredded
- 1 & 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese shredded (to top)
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Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
- Start by making the almond crust for the chicken. In a food processor, combine 1 cup almonds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and pepper to taste. Pulse until the almonds are ground fine (see photo). Remove the nut mixture to a plate and set aside.
- Make the pesto: In the same food processor (don't bother washing), combine basil, garlic, almonds, and parmesan. Pulse until it makes a paste, then slowly add the oil in WHILE the food processor is running, so that the oil emulsifies. Salt to taste.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the pesto to a shallow bowl or plate. Add an egg and beat together with a fork.
- Prep the chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towels and lay them out on a plate or work surface. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle both sides with 1 tablespoon flour.
- Add 1 chicken breast to the egg-pesto mixture and turn to coat. Lift it out, letting the excess egg drip off, then roll the chicken in the nut mixture. Place the chicken on the baking sheet.
- Repeat with the remaining chicken.
- Bake the chicken in the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees F. (The nut crust will not change color much, fyi.)
- Meanwhile, make the pasta. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well and return to pot.
- While the pasta is still hot, add 1/2 pesto, butter, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and Pepper Jack cheese. Add cherry tomatoes and stir.
- Transfer the pasta to a casserole dish. Top with cooked chicken. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Pepper Jack.
- Broil on the top rack for 2-4 minutes. Do NOT walk away! How sad would it be to burn your dinner after all that. Watch it! Don't leave! Set a timer! Take it out when the cheese is brown and bubbly.
- Serve with leftover pesto.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1chicken breast
Calories
1615kcal
(81%)
Carbohydrates
103g
(34%)
Protein
90g
(180%)
Fat
94g
(145%)
Saturated Fat
24g
(120%)
Polyunsaturated Fat
11g
Monounsaturated Fat
42g
Trans Fat
1g
Cholesterol
259mg
(86%)
Potassium
1664mg
(48%)
Fiber
10g
(40%)
Sugar
8g
(16%)
Vitamin A
2407IU
(48%)
Vitamin C
18mg
(20%)
Calcium
609mg
(61%)
Iron
6mg
(33%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4Servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 1615 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1chicken breast | |
| Calories | 1615kcal | 81% |
| Carbohydrates | 103g | 34% |
| Protein | 90g | 180% |
| Fat | 94g | 145% |
| Saturated Fat | 24g | 120% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 11g | 65% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 42g | 210% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 259mg | 86% |
| Potassium | 1664mg | 35% |
| Fiber | 10g | 40% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 2407IU | 48% |
| Vitamin C | 18mg | 20% |
| Calcium | 609mg | 61% |
| Iron | 6mg | 33% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
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