Zesty Strawberry Balsamic Walnut Chicken Recipe for Summer

Sweet meets savory in this mouthwatering strawberry balsamic walnut chicken that promises an unexpected culinary adventure.

Tender chicken breasts get a delightful twist with a vibrant sauce combining tangy balsamic and ripe strawberries.

Crunchy walnuts add a perfect textural contrast that makes each bite exciting.

Mediterranean-inspired flavors dance across your palate with surprising elegance.

Fresh ingredients merge to create something truly memorable and simple to prepare.

Complex yet approachable, this dish will quickly become a favorite for spontaneous dinners or special gatherings.

Why Strawberry Balsamic Walnut Chicken Stands Out

• Transform Ordinary Chicken: Elevate your standard chicken dish with a gourmet twist that combines crunchy walnuts, crispy breading, and a tangy-sweet strawberry balsamic sauce.
• Versatile Dinner Star: Perfect for impressing dinner guests, family meals, or a special date night without requiring advanced culinary skills or complicated techniques.
• No-Fuss Gourmet Experience: Create restaurant-quality flavors with simple ingredients and straightforward cooking steps that make sophisticated cooking accessible to home chefs of all levels.
• Balanced Flavor Profile: Enjoy a delightful combination of textures and tastes – crispy walnut-crusted chicken complemented by a rich, sweet-tangy strawberry balsamic sauce that tingles every taste bud.

Ingredients You’ll Need For Strawberry Walnut Chicken

• Chicken Breast: A lean and tender protein that serves as the main component of this flavorful dish.

• Egg: A binding agent that helps the walnut and breadcrumb mixture adhere to the chicken.
• Walnuts, Italian Bread Crumbs: Provide a crunchy and flavorful exterior coating for the chicken.
• Salt, Pepper: Enhance the overall seasoning of the coating.

• Strawberries: Add a fresh, sweet, and tangy element to the balsamic sauce.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Creates a rich, deep flavor base for the sauce.
• Honey (or Sugar): Balances the acidity and adds a touch of sweetness.
• Chicken Broth: Provides depth and moisture to the sauce.
• Onion, Garlic: Offer aromatic and savory undertones to the sauce.
• Dried Thyme: Introduces a subtle herbal note to complement the other flavors.

• Butter: Used for cooking the chicken and creating the sauce, adding richness and flavor.

• Parsley or Basil: Fresh herbs that add a bright, aromatic finishing touch.

How To Cook Strawberry Walnut Chicken Simply

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to 375F (190C) for perfect cooking conditions.

Step 2: Prepare Egg Wash

Whisk egg with salt and pepper in a shallow bowl until well combined.

Step 3: Create Crunchy Coating

• Crushed walnuts
• Italian bread crumbs

Step 4: Coat Chicken

Dunk each chicken breast into egg mixture, then thoroughly cover with walnut-breadcrumb blend.

Step 5: Sear And Crisp Chicken

Heat skillet over medium-high heat and melt butter. Cook chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden. Transfer to baking dish and bake 15-20 minutes until internal temperature hits 165F (75C).

Step 6: Build Sauce Foundation

• Minced onion
• Garlic

Cook until fragrant and soft, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 7: Create Sauce Liquid

• Balsamic vinegar
• Chicken broth
• Honey
• Dried thyme

Simmer and reduce 5-7 minutes until slightly thickened.

Step 8: Incorporate Strawberries

Fold chopped strawberries into sauce. Cook 3-4 minutes until berries soften and release juices.

Step 9: Plate And Garnish

• Chopped parsley
• Fresh strawberry slices

Step 10: Serve And Savor

Enjoy your delectable meal straight from the kitchen!

Helpful Cooking Tips For Walnut Chicken

• Toast walnuts briefly before crushing to enhance their nutty flavor and prevent sogginess in the coating.
• Choose ripe, sweet strawberries for the best sauce consistency and natural sweetness.
• Use a meat thermometer to check chicken's internal temperature, ensuring it reaches 165F without overcooking.
• Add fresh herbs like basil or parsley right before serving to maintain their bright color and aromatic qualities.
• Swap honey with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile or use agave for a vegan-friendly alternative.

Tasty Spins On Strawberry Walnut Chicken

• Mediterranean Chicken Remix: Replace walnuts with pine nuts, add za'atar seasoning, and swap strawberries for roasted red peppers in the sauce for a Middle Eastern-inspired version.
• Spicy Tropical Fusion: Mix crushed macadamia nuts into breadcrumbs, use mango instead of strawberries, and add a touch of chili flakes to create a vibrant Caribbean-style dish.
• Herb Garden Chicken: Incorporate fresh chopped rosemary and thyme into the walnut coating, use white wine instead of chicken broth, and add fresh basil leaves to the strawberry sauce for an aromatic herb-focused variation.
• Nutty Apple Harvest: Substitute walnuts with pecans, replace strawberries with diced apples, and add a splash of maple syrup to the sauce for a cozy autumn-inspired rendition.

Perfect Pairings With Strawberry Walnut Chicken

• Enhance Wine Pairing: Select a crisp rosé or light-bodied pinot noir to complement the strawberry balsamic sauce's sweet and tangy profile, balancing the richness of the walnut-crusted chicken.
• Elevate Cocktail Companion: Mix a strawberry basil smash featuring fresh strawberries, muddled basil, vodka, and a splash of balsamic reduction to mirror the dish's flavor complexity and fruity undertones.
• Craft Side Dish Harmony: Prepare a mixed green salad with goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and a light balsamic vinaigrette to echo the recipe's key ingredients and provide a refreshing counterpoint to the crispy chicken.

How To Store Strawberry Walnut Chicken Properly

• Store leftover chicken in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. Separate the chicken and sauce to maintain crispiness and prevent soggy texture.
• Wrap individual chicken breasts in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before reheating.
• Place chicken on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat in 30-second intervals, checking temperature to prevent drying out. Add extra sauce to maintain moisture.
• Preheat oven to 325F. Place chicken in baking dish, cover with foil to prevent burning. Warm for 10-15 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165F.

Questions On Strawberry Walnut Chicken Answered

• Why use walnuts in the coating?

Walnuts add a delicious crunch, nutty flavor, and extra protein to the chicken, creating a more interesting texture than traditional breadcrumb coatings.

• Can I substitute the balsamic vinegar?

While balsamic vinegar provides a unique tangy sweetness, you can use red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar as alternatives, though the flavor profile will be slightly different.

• How do I know if the chicken is fully cooked?

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 165F (75C), which ensures the chicken is safe to eat and remains juicy.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

No, the recipe uses Italian bread crumbs. To make it gluten-free, substitute with gluten-free breadcrumbs or almond flour.

Strawberry Balsamic Walnut Chicken Recipe

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4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 38-53 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mouthwatering strawberry balsamic walnut chicken delivers a symphony of sweet and tangy flavors that dance across your palate. Gourmet ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a culinary experience you’ll savor with every delicious bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 egg (for coating the chicken)

Dry Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup crushed walnuts
• 1/4 cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs

Seasonings:

• sea salt, to taste
• fresh black pepper, to taste

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375F (190C), ensuring even temperature distribution for optimal cooking.
2. Create an egg wash by whisking egg with salt and pepper in a shallow dish, establishing a flavorful base coating.
3. Prepare a crispy exterior by mixing crushed walnuts with Italian bread crumbs in a separate shallow bowl.
4. Carefully dredge each chicken breast through the egg mixture, ensuring complete coverage, then coat thoroughly with the walnut-breadcrumb blend.
5. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt butter, and sear chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes per side until golden and crisp.
6. Transfer seared chicken to a baking dish and roast in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, verifying internal temperature reaches 165F (75C).
7. Using the same skillet, sauté minced onion and garlic over medium heat until translucent and aromatic, approximately 2-3 minutes.
8. Introduce balsamic vinegar, chicken broth, honey, and dried thyme to the skillet, stirring to integrate flavors and create a harmonious sauce.
9. Simmer the sauce for 5-7 minutes, allowing it to reduce and thicken slightly.
10. Incorporate chopped strawberries into the sauce, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes until they soften and release their natural sweetness.
11. Plate the roasted chicken and generously ladle the strawberry balsamic sauce over the top.
12. Enhance presentation by garnishing with fresh chopped parsley or basil and additional strawberry slices if desired.
13. Serve immediately and savor the complex flavor profile.

Notes

• Toast walnuts lightly before crushing to enhance their nutty flavor and create a more aromatic coating for the chicken.
• Replace breadcrumbs with gluten-free alternatives like almond meal or crushed gluten-free crackers for those with wheat sensitivities.
• Adjust honey with maple syrup or agave nectar to accommodate different dietary preferences or sugar restrictions.
• Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches exactly 165F, preventing overcooking and maintaining juicy texture.

• Prep Time: 10-15 minutes
• Cook Time: 28-38 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 325 kcal
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 9 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 35 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg