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