Description
Delightful Strawberry Balsamic Walnut Chicken brings Mediterranean flair to dinner tables with complex flavor profiles. Succulent chicken breasts glazed in sweet-tangy sauce showcase fresh strawberries while you savor each carefully crafted bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 egg
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) crushed walnuts
- ¼ cup (60 ml) seasoned Italian bread crumbs
- 1 ½ cups (360 ml) fresh strawberries (chopped, plus more for serving)
- ½ cup (120 ml) balsamic vinegar
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- ¼ cup (60 ml) yellow onion (minced)
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) honey
- 1 tbsp (15 g) butter
- 1 clove garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- ½ tsp fresh parsley or basil (chopped, for serving)
- Sea salt (to taste)
- Fresh black pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for optimal cooking surface.
- Coating Setup: Create a two-stage coating station with whisked egg wash in one dish and combined walnut-breadcrumb mixture in another.
- Chicken Preparation: Season chicken breasts, then thoroughly coat each piece by first dipping in egg wash and then pressing into walnut-breadcrumb mixture, ensuring complete coverage.
- Baking Process: Arrange coated chicken on prepared baking sheet with crusted side upward, baking for 25-35 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Sauce Development: While chicken bakes, create sauce by sautéing garlic and onions, then blending strawberries and balsamic vinegar into a smooth puree.
- Sauce Refinement: Combine strawberry-balsamic puree with chicken broth, honey, and dried thyme in saucepan, simmering for 12-15 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Plating and Presentation: Transfer walnut-crusted chicken to serving plates, generously drizzle with strawberry balsamic sauce, and garnish with fresh herbs and optional strawberry slices for an elegant finish.
Notes
- Coat Carefully: Press walnut-breadcrumb mixture gently but firmly to ensure maximum adherence and crispy texture.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to check chicken reaches exactly 165°F for food safety without overcooking.
- Sauce Consistency Control: Simmer sauce slowly and stir occasionally to prevent burning and achieve perfect thickening.
- Flavor Balancing Tip: Taste sauce before final drizzling and adjust sweetness with honey or acidity with balsamic vinegar for ideal taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking, Blending, Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg