For the Chicken
- 1 ¼ cups Panko breadcrumbs
- 1 ¼ cups ground almonds use a blender or food processor to grind them into coarse crumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt plus more for seasoning
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper plus more for seasoning
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 3 large eggs
- 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, sliced and/or pounded out very thin
- neutral oil for frying I like grape seed
For the Salad
- 6 medium Brussels sprouts shaved into fine ribbons
- 2 packed cups arugula
- ½ green apple julienned
- 1 small shallot minced
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice plus extra lemon wedges for serving
- kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Prepare the Breading Station
In a large shallow bowl, mix the Panko breadcrumbs, ground almonds, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper.
Add the flour to a second shallow bowl.
In a third bowl, whisk together the eggs and Dijon mustard until smooth.
Prep the Chicken
Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.
Working one piece at a time, dredge the chicken in the flour, shaking off the excess. Dip into the egg mixture, letting any excess drip off, then coat thoroughly in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to adhere. Set aside and repeat with the remaining pieces.
Fry the Chicken
Place a wire rack over a sheet pan and set it near the stove for draining the cooked chicken.
Heat about ½ inch of neutral oil (such as grapeseed) in a large, heavy-bottomed sauté pan over medium-high heat.
Working in batches to avoid overcrowding, carefully lay 1–3 chicken cutlets in the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crisp on both sides, then transfer to the wire rack to drain. Repeat with remaining chicken, wiping out the pan and adding fresh oil as needed between batches.
Make the Salad
While the chicken cooks, add the shaved Brussels sprouts, arugula, and julienned apple to a large bowl.
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the minced shallot, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly until the dressing is emulsified. Pour over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
Serve
Serve the crispy almond chicken cutlets hot, with the fresh Brussels sprout and arugula salad on the side. Add extra lemon wedges for squeezing, if desired.
- When pounding chicken, place between sheets of plastic wrap to prevent tearing.
- The internal temperature of the chicken should reach 165°F. A meat thermometer is the best bet for ensuring your chicken is safely cooked.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying. This lowers oil temperature and results in chicken that's soggy, rather than crispy.
- Let the chicken rest on a paper towel briefly after cooking to remove excess oil.
- For busy weeknights, prep the breading and slaw components ahead of time.
Calories: 796kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 66g | Fat: 41g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 24g | Trans Fat: 0.05g | Cholesterol: 268mg | Sodium: 1204mg | Potassium: 1391mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 514IU | Vitamin C: 32mg | Calcium: 190mg | Iron: 5mg