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    Home » All Recipes

    Author: Donna | Published: May 17, 2021 |

    Crusted Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts

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    Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts sliced and served with fresh herbs on a white platter plate

    Macadamia Nut and Herb Crusted Chicken Breasts are a great low carb and gluten-free crunchy fried chicken, without the use of any breadcrumbs. Serve alongside a simple salad or stuff into a lettuce leaf with some sliced bell peppers for a meal the whole family will devour.

    Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts sliced and served with fresh herbs on a white platter plate

    Crusted Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts

    Jump to:
    • Crusted Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts
    • A Note On Ingredients To Make The Best Herb Crusted Chicken
    • How To Store Macadamia Nut Chicken
    • What To Do With Leftover Nut Crusted Chicken.
    • Get The Kids Involved In Making This Simple Family Friendly Dinner
    • How To Serve Macadamia Nut Chicken Breast
    • Recipe
    • Need More Recipes With Macadamia Nuts?

    Crusted Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts come together in no time at all and really pack a flavor punch, especially with the use of beautifully fragrant fresh sage in the herb mix.

    Plus they are easy to make.

    Winning.

    Simply coat a chicken breast in some dijon mustard and dip into a blend of fresh herbs and chopped nuts.

    Fry to perfection and you are good to go.

    Chicken breast being dipped in a nut and herb mixture to make nut crusted chicken

    A Note On Ingredients To Make The Best Herb Crusted Chicken

    Macadamia

    The crushed macadamia used in the coating not only gives you a healthy dose of good fats and antioxidants, but they are also a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, iron, B vitamins, and folate.

    Plus they add a nice little crunchy coating to the chicken tenders without the need for any breadcrumbs, making it truly a low carb gluten-free dish.

    And really, who doesn’t love a decadent macadamia?

    If you cannot find macadamia nuts, or they are too expensive, you can definitely substitute any other nut of choice.

    Try chopped cashews, walnuts, or almonds for something different.

    Fresh v Dried Herbs

    I always use fresh herbs as I have them growing in the garden or on the kitchen bench pretty much year-round.

    However, dried herbs will work in a pinch as well.

    Because dried herbs are generally more potent and concentrated than fresh herbs, you'll need less -- typically three times the amount of fresh herbs as dry.

    So feel free to sub away, just reduce the amount by around a third and you will be good to go.

    Chicken breast being dipped in a nut and herb mixture to make nut crusted chicken

    How To Store Macadamia Nut Chicken

    Allow any leftover chicken to cool before storing.

    Once cooled, transfer the chicken to an airtight container with a lid, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

    I would not recommend freezing this chicken, instead use up the leftovers for lunch or dinner the next day.

    What To Do With Leftover Nut Crusted Chicken.

    Macadamia nut chicken is so good we don't tend to have any leftovers.

    However, if you do end up with leftovers, feel free to try one of these options for making the most of the macadamia nut crusted chicken and making sure none goes to waste:

    • slice and place on top of your salad of choice;
    • stuff it into a wrap for lunch the next day;
    • serve with some potatoes dauphinoise;
    • to keep it low carb stuff it into a lettuce wrap or sandwich with some fresh sliced veggies.
    Nut Crusted Chicken Breasts sliced on a wooden chopping board

    Get The Kids Involved In Making This Simple Family Friendly Dinner

    This dish has fast become a family favorite in the Whole Food Bellies house, and the fact that it comes together so easily, and the kids gobble it up every time makes it a sure addition to the meal plan every month.

    If you want to get the kids involved with this one, have them:

    • pick the herbs from the garden or pull the herbs off the stems of store-bought herbs;
    • mix together the nut and herb coating for the chicken in a medium-sized bowl;
    • put the macadamias into a Ziploc bag and crush them by hitting them with a rolling pin (this activity is particularly popular around here).

    I keep the kids away from the raw chicken side of things simply because they are little and can't help but touch everything in sight.

    If yours are older then let them use some tongs to dip the chicken in the mixture.

    Getting the kids involved with making dinners like macadamia nut crusted chicken always makes for a little bit of fun during the witching hour, giving you more time to get everything else sorted and prepared.

    Plus they will be more excited to eat something they have helped to make, so less complaining!

    How To Serve Macadamia Nut Chicken Breast

    The flavors in this nut and herb crusted chicken are quite powerful, so it is best to pair it with something more subtle.

    Try these recipes out:

    • Broccoli rice or cauliflower rice
    • Creamy garlic roasted parsnip puree
    • Garlic and herb cauliflower mash
    • Slice the chicken breasts and stuff into a lettuce wrap with some sliced bell peppers
    • On top of some mashed potatoes
    • Sliced on top of a salad
    Bowl of Roasted Parsnip Puree with a wooden spoon protruding out
    Serve your nut crusted chicken with some silky smooth parsnip puree.

    Happy Eating!

    xx

    Recipe

    Sliced Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts on a wooden board surrounded by sprigs of fresh rosemary

    Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts

    Crusted Sage and Macadamia Nut Chicken Breasts are a great low carb and gluten-free crunchy fried chicken, without the use of any breadcrumbs. Serve alongside a simple salad or stuff into a lettuce leaf with some sliced bell peppers for a meal the whole family will devour.
    5 from 10 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved Recipes!
    Prep Time 20 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 30 minutes mins
    Course Dinner
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 serves
    Calories 391 kcal

    Clicking any equipment link above will earn me a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
    • ½ cup chopped fresh parsley
    • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
    • 2 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
    • ½ cup macadamia nuts crushed
    • 2 tablespoon dijon mustard
    • 1 teaspoon sea salt
    • freshly ground black pepper to taste
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    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken breasts in a plastic bag (or a ziplock bag) and pound firmly with a meat cleaver or a rolling pin to flatten slightly.
    • Mix the herbs, salt and pepper along with the crushed nuts in a small bowl and place the mixture on a flat plate. Brush each breast with a thin layer of dijon mustard and coat each side with the herb mixture.
    • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Saute the breasts with the smooth rounded side down for about 3 to 4 minutes.
    • Reduce the heat to low and turn over the breasts, cooking for another 3 minutes, until cooked through. Remove from the pan and serve.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 391kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 50gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 144mgPotassium: 971mgFiber: 2gVitamin A: 890IUVitamin C: 18.8mgCalcium: 65mgIron: 2.9mg
    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment HERE and let us know how it was!

    The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

    This post has been updated from the original November 2018 post to include more information for the reader.

    Need More Recipes With Macadamia Nuts?

    These nuts are so delicious and versatile.

    If you are looking for more recipes to use them up, try these out:

    • Super Easy Homemade Granola with Macadamia and Coconut Oil
    • Healthier Salted Date Caramel Macadamia Nut Clusters
    • For something a bit more indulgent try this Gluten-Free Macadamia Honey Bread from Cooking On The Weekends
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Sharon says

      February 03, 2019 at 5:33 pm

      The flavor on this chicken sounds out of this world! I really love the addition of macadamia nuts to it.

      Reply
      • Donna says

        February 04, 2019 at 3:52 pm

        I am a little bit obsessed with macadamias lately 🙂

        Reply
    2. Veronika's Kitchen says

      February 03, 2019 at 4:11 pm

      What a great idea to use macadamia nuts for the chicken crust! Saving the recipe for later!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        February 04, 2019 at 3:52 pm

        It works so well and gives it such a great flavor!

        Reply
    3. Daniela says

      February 03, 2019 at 12:43 pm

      Yum! Have crusted fish with macadamia nuts but never chicken. Sounds so yummy. Thanks for sharing :).

      Reply
      • Donna says

        February 04, 2019 at 3:53 pm

        Ooh I am going to have to try using this crust on some fish now, sounds delish!

        Reply
    4. Amanda M Mason says

      February 03, 2019 at 11:55 am

      Yum! These chicken breasts look amazing! I love a good leftover seasoned chicken breast for lunch the next day! Printing this recipe out because I'm so making this!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        February 04, 2019 at 3:55 pm

        Oh yay, hope you enjoy! These work great for lunch the next day, I usually stuff in a wrap with some salad!

        Reply
    5. Natalie says

      February 04, 2019 at 3:03 am

      I absolutely LOVE that you used fresh herbs here.

      Reply
      • Donna says

        February 04, 2019 at 3:48 pm

        We have so many herbs growing in the garden and I hate to see them go to waste. Plus they amp up the flavor of dishes so much I have no now 🙂

        Reply
    6. Nicole says

      February 03, 2019 at 5:37 am

      I love a good crust on chicken. This looks fresh and crunchy! I love the flavor combo.

      Reply
    7. Jenni LeBaron says

      February 02, 2019 at 3:10 pm

      I think nuts make an awesome crust for chicken. This combination is such a fun way to shake up dinner and makes a great flavor year round!

      Reply
    8. Anne Lawton says

      February 02, 2019 at 2:04 pm

      I love this recipe! All of those fresh herbs, mustard and macadamias it sounds like a bite of heaven!

      Reply
    9. Nicoletta De Angelis Nardelli says

      February 01, 2019 at 11:55 pm

      Fresh herbs add such a great flavor, plus the nuts add some nutrition too. This is a great dish, tasty and wholesome.

      Reply
    10. Veena Azmanov says

      January 31, 2019 at 11:31 pm

      I love adding nuts to my meat dishes too. My daughter is a huge macadamia nut kinda person. I need to make this for her - she will love it.

      Reply
    11. Krista Price says

      January 31, 2019 at 9:26 am

      I absolutely love that you used macadamia nuts. I've used walnuts and almonds similarly, but never thought to use macadamia! Just pinned this to my Whole30 Chicken board! I can't wait to make it! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Carrie | Clean Eating Kitchen says

      January 29, 2019 at 7:33 am

      What a great idea to add nuts to the chicken breast to get that crunch! Perfect for an easy weeknight dinner!

      Reply
      • Donna says

        January 29, 2019 at 6:05 pm

        It makes for the perfect crunch! Plus macadamia's are delicious 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 10 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Hello and welcome, I'm Donna!

    I am so glad you are here!

    Since I have a part-time job, 3 little kids, and a love of good food (as do you I assume), I have learned how to get the most out of the kitchen in the smallest amount of time.

    Forget about hunting down weird ingredients and making trips to specialty shops.

    We are going to make the most of what is available at the store and farmer's markets all whilst enjoying some delicious meals the whole family (hopefully...if you have fussy eaters I guarantee nothing) will enjoy.

    Pop on that apron and let's get creative in the kitchen!

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