Almond Crusted Chicken Strips a la Pinterest

Almond Crusted Chicken Strips
 
 
If you enjoy eating chicken strips but could do without the extra calories that come with fried foods (hello swinsuit season!), then you are going to love this dish.  Wait...did my intro remind you of a As Seen on TV commerical or what? Cause it did to me, haha. 

I came across this recipe on Pinterest while looking for easy and healthy chicken recipes.  I quickly found this recipe; however, I managed to get lost in the world of Pinterest yet again (decor and food boards suck me in every single time).  Two hours or so later, I found myself going through my pantry and fridge to see if I had all the ingredients.  To my surprise, I had all the ingredients and made it the very next day.  My husband loved it!  He gave it rave reviews, so I figured it was my duty to share this amazing dish with you.
 
The recipe came from Trish at Mom on Time Out (recipe here) - who by the way has a pretty impressive recipe index.  Her pictures are drool worthy.  I highly encourage you to check out her blog  (here) for some food inspiration.   I can't wait to make her Mediterranean Chicken Quinoa Salad next.

Ingredients
  • Canola oil cooking spray
  • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
  • 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 4 large egg whites
  • 1 pound chicken tenders ( I used chicken breasts cut into strips)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 475°F.
  2. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.
  3. Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor and process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout.
  4. With the motor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil; process until combined.
  5. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.
  6. Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish.
  7. Coat chicken tenders and transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly.
  8. Place the tenders on the prepared rack and coat with cooking spray; turn and spray the other side.
  9. Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.
As always, I hope you had a marvelous weekend and are enjoying this beautiful Monday afternoon.
 
Until next time,
Karina