The blissful blend of savory and sweet, the Almond-Crusted Chicken with Peach Salad is a delightful dish that will surely impress. The succulent chicken, crusted with crunchy almonds, perfectly complements the fresh and tangy peach salad. This recipe is a splendid choice for a light dinner or a special lunch treat.
This recipe involves a few unique ingredients that you might not regularly have at home. White balsamic vinegar, a milder and slightly less-sweet version of traditional balsamic, is essential for the dressing's unique flavor. It's easily found in most supermarkets in the vinegar aisle. Buttermilk and light sour cream add a creamy tanginess to the dressing, while almonds are used for the chicken's flavorful coating.
Ingredients for Almond-Crusted Chicken and Peach Salad
Low-fat buttermilk: Creates the base for our tangy salad dressing.
Light sour cream: Blends with buttermilk to form a creamy dressing component.
White balsamic vinegar: Gives our salad dressing a unique, sweet-tangy flavor.
Honey: Adds a touch of sweetness to balance the dressing.
Olive oil: Helps emulsify the dressing and adds richness.
Chives: Fresh chives add a slight onion-y hint to our dressing.
Eggs: Helps the almond crust adhere to the chicken.
Almonds: Provides a crunchy coating for the chicken.
All-purpose flour: Combined with almonds to create a coating for the chicken.
Chicken tenderloins: The main protein of our dish, perfect for almond crusting.
Vegetable oil: Used for frying the almond-crusted chicken.
Lettuce or arugula: Forms the base for our fresh salad.
Peaches or nectarines: Adds a juicy, fruity contrast to the savory chicken.
One reader, Isadore Babcock says:
This almond-crusted chicken with peach salad recipe is a game-changer! The combination of crispy almond-coated chicken and juicy peach salad is simply divine. The dressing adds a delightful tangy kick. It's a refreshing and satisfying dish that's perfect for a light, yet flavorful meal. Highly recommended!
Culinary Techniques to Master for This Dish
How to prepare the dressing: Whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, vinegar, and honey. Whisk in the oil, in a slow stream, to blend. Stir in the chives and season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to use.
How to bread the chicken: Dip each piece of chicken in the beaten eggs, then dredge in the almond and flour mixture, pressing the mixture onto the chicken to help it adhere.
How to cook the chicken: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the breaded chicken tenders until light golden brown on both sides, turning often, and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per batch. Drain the tenders on paper towels after cooking.
How to assemble the salad: Toss the lettuce and peach slices with about half of the dressing in a large bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Portion the salad out on dinner plates and then arrange the cooked chicken among the plates. Drizzle some of the remaining dressing over the chicken and serve.
How To Make Almond-Crusted Chicken with Peach Salad
Crisp almond-crusted chicken is served atop a bed of lettuce and peaches tossed in a sour cream and balsamic dressing to make a great summer meal.
Serves:
Ingredients
For Dressing:
- ¼cuplow-fat buttermilk
- 1tbsplight sour cream
- 1tbspwhite balsamic vinegar
- ½tsphoney
- 2tbspolive oil
- 1tbspchives,freshly minced
- salt and pepper
For Chicken:
- 2large eggs
- 6ozalmonds,(1 bag, about 1¾ cups), sliced
- ½cupall purpose flour
- 1½lbschicken tenderloins
- vegetable oil,for frying
For Salad:
- 6cupstender lettuce,or arugula, torn
- 2peaches,or nectarines, medium ripe, halved, pitted, and sliced into thin slices
Instructions
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In a small bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, vinegar, and honey. Whisk in the oil, in a slow stream, to blend.
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Stir in the chives and season with salt and pepper. Chill until ready to use.
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Heat oven to 200 degrees F and place an empty cookie sheet inside the oven.
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Lightly beat the eggs in a wide bowl. Place the almond slices and flour in a food processor and pulse until the almonds are chopped, but not fully ground.
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Transfer the almond mixture to a shallow plate, for dredging. Season the chicken tenders on both sides with salt and pepper.
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Dip one pieces of chicken at a time in the egg. Shake off the excess and then dredge the pieces in the almond mixture.
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Press the flour mixture onto the chicken to help it adhere. Set the breaded tenders on a wire rack.
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In a large skillet, heat 2 to 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. When it’s shimmering hot, it’s ready to work with.
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Working in batches, cook the chicken until light golden brown on both sides, turning often, and cooked through. This will take about 4 to 5 minutes per batch.
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Add a little more oil to the pan with each batch as necessary, and remove any large almonds that have fallen off of the chicken, from the oil. Drain the tenders on paper towels after cooking, and then place them on the warmed cookie sheet in the oven.
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In a large bowl, toss the lettuce and peach slices with about half of the dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
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Portion the salad out on the dinner plates and then arrange the chicken among the plates. Drizzle some of the remaining dressing over the chicken and serve.
Nutrition
- Calories: 639.79kcal
- Fat: 42.80g
- Saturated Fat: 6.42g
- Trans Fat: 0.04g
- Monounsaturated Fat: 23.22g
- Polyunsaturated Fat: 8.93g
- Carbohydrates: 39.45g
- Fiber: 6.68g
- Sugar: 7.93g
- Protein: 27.61g
- Cholesterol: 109.60mg
- Sodium: 698.23mg
- Calcium: 150.95mg
- Potassium: 748.80mg
- Iron: 4.04mg
- Vitamin A: 130.69µg
- Vitamin C: 6.73mg
Expert Advice for Perfecting the Almond Crust
When preparing the almond-crusted chicken, it's important to press the almond mixture onto the chicken firmly to ensure it adheres properly. This will create a more robust and flavorful crust. Additionally, when cooking the chicken, be sure to turn it often. This will promote even cooking and prevent the almond crust from burning. Lastly, don't forget to remove any large almond pieces that have fallen off the chicken from the oil. These could burn and affect the overall taste of your dish.
Time-Saving Tips for Preparing Almond-Crusted Chicken with Peach Salad
Prep ahead: Marinate the chicken overnight and prepare the dressing in advance to save time on the day of cooking.
Streamline process: Set up a breading station with the flour, egg, and almond mixture in an assembly line to coat the chicken efficiently.
Organized workspace: Keep all ingredients and tools within reach to avoid unnecessary movement and save time during the cooking process.
Efficient cooking: Cook the chicken tenders in batches to ensure even browning and quicker cooking time.
Multi-task: While the chicken is baking in the oven, use that time to prepare the salad and finish any remaining tasks.
Substitute Ingredients For Almond-Crusted Chicken with Peach Salad Recipe
low-fat buttermilk - Substitute with plain yogurt: Plain yogurt can provide a similar tangy flavor and creamy texture to the dressing.
light sour cream - Substitute with Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt can offer a similar creamy texture and tangy flavor to the dressing.
white balsamic vinegar - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar can provide a slightly sweet and tangy flavor similar to white balsamic vinegar.
honey - Substitute with maple syrup: Maple syrup can offer a similar sweetness and depth of flavor to the dressing.
olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil can provide a similar mild flavor and healthy fats for the dressing.
chives - Substitute with green onions: Green onions can offer a similar mild onion flavor and a pop of color to the dressing.
all purpose flour - Substitute with gluten-free flour: Gluten-free flour can be used as a substitute for those with gluten sensitivities.
chicken tenderloins - Substitute with turkey tenderloins: Turkey tenderloins can be used as a lean alternative to chicken.
vegetable oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can provide a similar light flavor and high smoke point for frying the chicken.
tender lettuce or arugula - Substitute with baby spinach: Baby spinach can offer a similar tender texture and mild flavor for the salad.
peaches or nectarines - Substitute with mangoes: Mangoes can provide a similar sweet and juicy flavor to the salad.
Plating Ideas for a Stunning Presentation
Elevate the almond-crusted chicken: Carefully arrange the almond-crusted chicken tenderloins on the plate, ensuring they are positioned elegantly and not overcrowded.
Artfully arrange the peach salad: Delicately place the tender lettuce or arugula on the plate, and then artfully arrange the peach or nectarine slices to create a visually appealing salad.
Drizzle the dressing with precision: Using a squeeze bottle or a small spoon, drizzle the buttermilk dressing over the chicken and salad with precision, ensuring an even distribution without overwhelming the dish.
Garnish with fresh herbs: Sprinkle a few fresh chives or microgreens over the dish to add a pop of color and a touch of freshness to the overall presentation.
Utilize negative space: Embrace the concept of negative space on the plate to allow the dish to breathe and create a visually striking presentation that showcases the components of the dish.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Making This Recipe
Small bowl: Used for whisking together the dressing ingredients.
Whisk: Used for mixing the dressing ingredients.
Food processor: Used for chopping the almonds and flour for the chicken coating.
Wide bowl: Used for beating the eggs for coating the chicken.
Shallow plate: Used for dredging the almond mixture onto the chicken.
Wire rack: Used for setting the breaded tenders before cooking.
Large skillet: Used for cooking the chicken tenders.
Cookie sheet: Used for warming and crisping the chicken tenders in the oven.
Paper towels: Used for draining the cooked chicken tenders.
Large bowl: Used for tossing the lettuce and peach slices with the dressing.
Storage and Freezing Guidelines for Almond-Crusted Chicken with Peach Salad
To store leftover almond-crusted chicken, allow it to cool completely before placing it in an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. When ready to eat, reheat the chicken in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until heated through.
If you want to freeze the almond-crusted chicken, place the cooled chicken pieces on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 1-2 hours or until solid. Transfer the frozen chicken to a freezer-safe container or resealable bag, removing as much air as possible. Label the container with the date and freeze for up to 2-3 months. To reheat, place the frozen chicken on a baking sheet and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
The peach salad is best enjoyed fresh, as the peaches and lettuce may become soggy if stored for too long. If you have leftover salad, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Keep the dressing separate and add it just before serving to maintain the salad's freshness and texture.
If you have leftover buttermilk dressing, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The dressing may thicken when chilled, so give it a good stir or whisk before using it again.
How To Reheat Leftovers
To reheat leftover almond-crusted chicken, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the chicken on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. This method will help maintain the crunchy texture of the almond crust.
Alternatively, you can reheat the chicken in an air fryer. Set the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) and place the chicken in the basket. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until heated through and crispy. This method is quick and will help restore the original texture of the almond crust.
For a quicker option, you can use a microwave to reheat the chicken. Place the chicken on a microwave-safe plate and heat on high for 30-60 seconds, or until heated through. However, keep in mind that the almond crust may become slightly soggy when reheated in the microwave.
To refresh the peach salad, gently toss the lettuce and peaches with a small amount of the reserved dressing. If the salad seems a bit wilted, you can add some fresh lettuce or arugula to liven it up.
If the peaches have become soft or mushy, you can replace them with fresh, ripe peaches or nectarines for a better texture and flavor.
To maintain the quality of the buttermilk dressing, store it separately from the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When ready to serve, give the dressing a quick whisk or shake to recombine the ingredients before drizzling it over the salad and reheated chicken.
Interesting Trivia About Almond-Crusted Chicken
The recipe for almond-crusted chicken with peach salad is a delicious and healthy option for a meal. The combination of crunchy almonds and juicy peaches creates a delightful contrast in flavors and textures. The dressing, made with buttermilk, sour cream, and white balsamic vinegar, adds a tangy and creamy element to the dish. The almond-crusted chicken is cooked to perfection, resulting in a crispy coating and tender meat. When served with the refreshing peach salad, it makes for a satisfying and well-balanced meal. This recipe is a great way to incorporate fresh and wholesome ingredients into your diet.
Budget-Friendly or Splurge-Worthy: Cost Analysis
This almond-crusted chicken with peach salad recipe offers a good balance of cost-effectiveness. The use of affordable ingredients like chicken tenderloins, almonds, and peaches makes it budget-friendly. The recipe's versatility allows for ingredient substitutions based on seasonal availability, further enhancing its cost-effectiveness. The approximate cost for a household of 4 people is around $20-$25, making it a reasonable choice for a family meal. The overall verdict rating for this recipe is 8/10, considering its taste, nutritional value, and affordability.
Is This Dish Healthy or Unhealthy?
This almond-crusted chicken with peach salad recipe is a relatively healthy choice, offering a balance of lean protein, healthy fats, and fresh fruits and vegetables. The chicken is coated in almonds, which provide heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fiber, and vitamin E. The peach salad adds a refreshing and nutrient-dense component, providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. The dressing is made with low-fat buttermilk and light sour cream, reducing the overall calorie and fat content.
However, there are a few areas where the recipe could be improved to make it even healthier:
- Use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour to increase the fiber content and provide more complex carbohydrates
- Opt for a healthier cooking method, such as baking the chicken in the oven instead of pan-frying, to reduce the amount of oil needed
- Increase the variety of vegetables in the salad, such as adding cherry tomatoes, cucumber, or bell peppers, to boost the nutrient profile
- Use a more nutrient-dense lettuce, such as spinach or kale, instead of tender lettuce or arugula
- Reduce the amount of honey in the dressing or replace it with a natural sweetener like stevia to lower the sugar content
Editor's Opinion: A Delightful Summer Meal
As a culinary expert, I find this almond-crusted chicken with peach salad recipe to be a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The dressing provides a creamy and tangy element that complements the crunchy almond crust on the chicken. The addition of peaches to the salad adds a refreshing and sweet note, balancing the savory chicken perfectly. The cooking method ensures a crispy exterior while keeping the chicken tender and juicy. Overall, this recipe offers a well-balanced and satisfying dish that is sure to impress with its blend of flavors and textures.
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Why trust this Almond-Crusted Chicken with Peach Salad Recipe:
This almond-crusted chicken with peach salad recipe offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures. The crispy almond crust adds a satisfying crunch to the tender chicken, while the sweet and juicy peaches complement the dish with a burst of freshness. The dressing, made with low-fat buttermilk, adds a creamy tanginess that ties the elements together. With a balanced blend of healthy ingredients and a straightforward cooking process, this recipe promises a delicious and wholesome dining experience. Trust in the harmony of flavors and the simplicity of preparation for a delightful meal that will surely impress your taste buds.
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