Paleo Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Honey-Mustard Sauce

Now you can dig into a healthy, finger-lickin’ good fried chicken dinner without going to KFC to buy a bucketful of the bad stuff…

This past weekend, hubby and I were reminiscing about the pre-paleo days when we could enjoy good-old-fashioned fried chicken. You know the kind I’m talking about, cooked just right with a nice crispy texture – mmm!

Well my paleo and gluten-free friends, here’s something I think you’re really going to like.

It’s a simple and delicious recipe using healthy coconut oil that will give you savory homemade fried chicken with a yummy crunchy-textured crust. You can use this paleo recipe to make chicken fingers (your kids will love those!) or fry these up as larger pieces if you want a more knife and fork kind of dinner.

I combined crushed macadamia nuts with shredded organic coconut to make the chicken’s awesome crunchy crust. Then I added our honey-mustard sauce for dipping, and wow! We enjoyed this nut-crusted chicken with a side of sweet potato fries. All I can say is: Winner winner chicken dinner!

I used organic boneless chicken breasts that I pounded with a meat tenderizer to make the chicken just a little bit thinner. Then I cut each one one of those into about 4 pieces – each about the size of a large chicken tender. The key here is to make the pieces small enough so that it only takes about 3 minutes per side to cook through without burning. [av_sidebar widget_area=’Lockerdome’ av_uid=’av-2uyuc4′]

I’m gonna warn ya, you might want to make a little extra chicken with this recipe because we enjoyed our leftover nut-crusted chicken the second day in a salad (recipe to come!) and used the remaining honey-mustard sauce as a salad dressing. It rocked! This just might be my new favorite go-to meal!

Speaking of leftovers, I’m always trying to help you all out with recipes that make good use of your leftovers without making you eat the exact same thing the next day. This recipe passes the leftover test with flying colors!

Hope you give this paleo nut-crusted chicken with dipping sauce a try. Healthy chicken fingers for the kids, and a delicious gluten-free chicken meal for us bigger kids who still love finger-lickin’ good fried chicken!

Enjoy!

Paleo Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Honey-Mustard Sauce Recipe

Paleo Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Honey-Mustard Sauce Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 lb chicken breast or tenders
  • 1 cup crushed macadamia nuts
  • 1/2 cup shredded unsweetened organic coconut
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 1/4 cup coconut flour
  • Coconut oil for frying
  • 1 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • Honey Mustard Sauce
  • 5 tbs raw honey
  • 2 tbs Dijon mustard
  • 1 tbs apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. First make the Honey Mustard Sauce – just stir all its ingredients together in a small bowl and set it aside
  2. Place macadamia nuts in a food processor or bullet blender and pulse for just a few seconds or use a nut chopper to crush
  3. In a small bowl mix together the chopped nuts and shredded coconut, then spread the mixture out on a plate
  4. Next mix together the coconut flour, paprika, garlic, salt and pepper in a small bowl and set aside
  5. Now whisk the two eggs in another small bowl and set it aside.
  6. (If using pre-cut tenders you can skip this step). Pound chicken breasts to about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thickness and then cut each into about 4 pieces
  7. Season your chicken with seasoning salt and pepper
  8. Heat about 1/2-inch of coconut oil in a large skillet over medium heat. (If the coconut oil is spitting back at you, it's too hot!)
  9. Dip chicken pieces in the coconut flour and seasoning mixture and shake off the excess. Next dip chicken in the whipped eggs, and finally press the chicken firmly into the nut and coconut mixture to form a good coating on both sides
  10. Cook in frying pan over medium heat for about 3 minutes per side or until crust is golden and chicken is cooked through. Place fried chicken pieces on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil
  11. Serve hot with the honey mustard dipping sauce on the side
https://www.paleonewbie.com/paleo-macadamia-crusted-chicken-honey-mustard-sauce/

 

Join the Conversation

  1. We just finished these for dinner. HUGE HIT!! So good with the dipping sauce. Can’t wait to have left overs for lunch tomorrow:) Made your spicy shrimp last night – scallops tomorrow. Delicious! Your recipes have been like a food bible in our new paleo lifestyle. Thank you so much!

    1. Oh thank you so much Melissa…that one is a tasty little recipe. So happy Paleo Newbie is a good source for your family…that’s what makes my adventures in the kitchen worth the effort. Thanks again!

  2. Just made this recipe tonight. Subbed an all purpose gluten free flour for the coconut flour though. It turned out amazing! Tons of flavor, fresh, crunchy! It will be on our menu again in the future!

    1. Thanks Sara! I’m so glad it worked out well for you! :)

  3. Can you substitute pecans for the macadamia nuts?

    1. I haven’t made it with pecans, but I don’t see why not. :)

  4. “: Healthy and crunchy! Paleo Macadamia-Crusted Chicken … – http://t.co/uchqWcoqXvhttp://t.co/0tSO9yKEUn” Get in my belly!

  5. Love the Hawaiian islands so if I can’t be there, I can “taste” like I’m there!!

    1. Thanks Jules! It’s really good! :)

  6. Yum can’t wait to try it…

  7. Can’t wait to try this!

  8. Looks so yummy!! I will be making that for my little boys

  9. That looks amazing!

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