Gluten-Free Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers
Ingredients
Chicken Fingers:
- ¾ cup salted, dry roasted almonds
- 1 Tablespoon curry powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala (OR ⅛ tsp cloves, ⅛ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp cumin)
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 1 – 1.25 lb chicken tenders (or boneless chicken breasts/thighs cut into strips)
- ¼ teaspoon pink Himalayan or sea salt (optional)
Cilantro Dipping Sauce (optional):
- ½ cup fresh cilantro, packed
- ¼ cup salted, dry roasted almonds
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ½ lime, juiced
- 2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- Filtered water, if needed
Instructions
- Place almonds, sesame seeds, and seasonings into a food processor and pulse together until the consistency is similar to breadcrumbs.
- Pour almond mixture into a shallow bowl. Coat the chicken tenders with the almond mixture by pressing both sides of the chicken into the mixture.
- Place coated chicken on a wire rack (metal cooling racks work great for this) that’s placed on top of a baking sheet. Broil for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- To make the dipping sauce, pulse together all dry ingredients until ingredients are chopped up. Then while processor is left running, slowly add in lime juice and olive oil, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. For a thinner consistency, stir in a little bit of filtered water.
Notes
Serves 3. Per Serving:
Calories: 361 |
Total Fat: 20 g |
Total Carbohydrate: 7 g |
Dietary Fiber: 5 g |
Protein: 40 g
Ingredient Highlights
Almonds are a fantastic source of antioxidants that protect against oxidative stress which can contribute to inflammation, aging, and diseases like cancer.
Cayenne pepper is a good source of beta carotene and antioxidants that support the immune system. The key compound in cayenne called capsaicin is also cardioprotective, anti-inflammatory, helps prevent kidney stones and speed up metabolism and has beneficial effects on the GI system.
Cilantro helps cleanse the body of toxic metals such as mercury, arsenic, and lead. It also possesses antibacterial and anticancer properties.
Cinnamon is a good ally in fighting respiratory infections due to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties.
Cloves support digestion and have anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting benefits.
Cumin has a distinctly warm and earthy flavor and is a popular culinary spice in India, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. As a medicinal herb, cumin is traditionally used to provide relief from digestive issues.
There are over 300 varieties of garlic grown around the world. It is considered both a vegetable and an herb and is clinically proven to support the immune system.
Limes are best known as a good source of vitamin C but also contain other important vitamins and minerals including magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamins A, E, and K.
Olive oil is high in nutrients including vitamins D, E, K, and A as well as omega-3 fatty acids. For the highest quality, look for organic extra virgin olive oil in dark glass bottles or tins that have an expiry date.
Sesame seeds help prevent diabetes, detoxify the body, and lower blood pressure. They are an excellent source of plant lignans, which are linked to a lower risk of heart disease and hormone-associated cancers.
delicious.... how do I make dry roasted salted almonds?
Hi Mariam, I agree this is a delicious recipe. :) I am happy to help. My personal recipe is to buy some unroasted or uncooked almonds and roast them in a single layer in the oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. I watch them closely so they do not burn/overcook. Next, I mix them with a tiny bit of olive oil and sea salt. They come out delicious. There are a lot of recipes for roasting almonds online. You can also buy them already roasted. I hope this helps. Enjoy!