Print

Walnut Crusted Chicken

walnut crusted chicken
Print Recipe

Crispy walnut-coated chicken breasts that bake to golden perfection.

The nutty crust locks in moisture while adding incredible flavor and texture.

A gourmet dinner that’s surprisingly simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 oz each)
  • 1 cup walnuts, finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard (optional, helps coating stick)
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs (optional, for extra crispiness)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels, then season both sides with salt, pepper, and lemon zest.
  3. In a shallow bowl, combine the chopped walnuts with minced garlic, olive oil, and any optional additions (panko, Parmesan, thyme).
  4. If using Dijon mustard, brush a thin layer onto each chicken breast as a binding agent.
  5. Press each chicken breast firmly into the walnut mixture, flipping to coat both sides evenly.
  6. Place the coated chicken on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between pieces.
  7. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F and the coating is golden brown.
  8. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute.
  9. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs if desired.

Notes

For extra nutty flavor, lightly toast the walnuts before mixing with other coating ingredients.

If the coating starts to brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil after 15 minutes of baking.

Pounding the chicken to even thickness helps ensure uniform cooking.

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Nutrition

Keywords: walnut chicken recipe, walnut crusted chicken, chicken with walnuts, nutty chicken bake, walnut chicken salad

Find it online: https://www.joyliciousrecipes.com/walnut-chicken-recipe-easy-irresistible/