Nut-Crusted Chicken Cutlets

Prep Time: 38 minutes
Cook Time: 20 -25 minutes

Grade: A

Make Again: Yes


Recipe Source: America's Test Kitchen TV Show (Season 12) 
Recipe Source: Cook's Illustrated (January 2011)

There is a video of the recipe available for free at the ATK link above, and it was helpful to watch the video before making the recipe. The tv version is with almonds and lemon and thyme. The CI version I linked to uses chipotle and southwestern spices.

This recipe is definitely a winner. It took a little longer than I wanted, but that was partly because I had a lot of chicken trimming to do this time. I could probably get it done in 30 minutes if I make this a few more times.

It is a baked dish (on top of a wire rack in jelly roll pan). To get flavorful crust you toast the finely chopped nuts and panko breadcrumbs in browned butter for the coating instead of pan frying. I love that aspect of the recipe. It is less messy, and you don't mess up the breading when you flip the meat in the pan. Also, it is nice to have the dish finish in the over, so you can clean up while it is cooking.

The breading really adhered to the chicken, really better than any other breaded meat recipe I've ever tried. I had leftovers tonight (cold) and it was still really sticking to the chicken. The leftovers were also delicious. They would make a really nice spinach salad.

The only possible problem with the recipe was that the chicken was close to being too salty. It wasn't, but I felt it was on the edge. I should have used a little less salt on each breast I think. It was probably because the kosher salt I was using was Morton's which is not as "fluffy" as others.

I made 3/4 of the recipe since I had 3 breasts. I cut the breading by 3/4, and I still had lots left over.