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This walnut crusted chicken uses rolled oats instead of flour to make up the breading. This makes it a great gluten free, wheat free option for flavorful crusted chicken breasts. It also uses the marinade as the binder so no eggs are involved either!

I also have provided options for the marinade for those who may be abstaining from alcohol. White wine can be used but if you don’t want to buy a bottle to also drink you can use white wine vinegar. If you don’t want any alcohol at all simply make up a little chicken broth and add some white vinegar to achieve that same mix of umami and tanginess.

If for any reason you are not using honey in your diet, which I don’t recommend because buying honey is great for bees! But if you’re not you can use maple syrup. Maple syrup and mustard go just as good together and honey and mustard. In some cases, maybe even better. Maple syrup also compliments walnuts and oats so feel free to make the exchange if that’s what you’d prefer!

Gluten free walnut crusted chicken goes great with any plenty of side dishes. The walnuts add some good for you fats to this recipe so you won’t be craving anything as heavy. I served it with these sweet and tangy roasted vegetables.

Health benefits of walnuts

Walnuts are a great source of vitamin E, melatonin, and Omega-3s. Walnuts are calorically dense but the good fats in them aid in everything from lowering your bad (HDL) cholesterol to managing brain function over time. If you are able to eat tree nuts walnuts are a great option to add some variety into your diet. This gluten free walnut crusted chicken is a great way to add walnuts without also adding other common food alllergens.

Ingredients

For the Chicken

4 medium boneless skinless chicken breast, or 2 huge ones cut in half lengthwise
¼ cup olive oil
¼ spicy brown mustard
¼ cup dry white wine, white wine vinegar, or chicken broth plus 2 tbsp of white vinegar
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp dried thyme

For the Crust

1 cup walnuts
¾ cup rolled oats
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper

For the Glaze

3 tbsp spicy brown mustard
⅓ cup honey

Instructions

place the chicken, olive oil, mustard, white wine or vinegar, garlic, and thyme in a large zip bag. make sure the chicken is well coated and refrigerate for at least four hours (no more than 24)
preheat oven to 425 degrees F
combine the walnuts, oats, salt, and pepper in a food processor or blender and blend until the walnuts are a small dice
place this mixture in a large flat container such as a deep plate or a baking pan
dip the marinated chicken in the walnut mix, make sure all sides are well coated
heat an oven safe skillet over medium heat, drizzle with olive oil
add the coated chicken and sear each side for 3-4 minutes
loosely cover the skillet with foil (this keeps the nuts from burning)
transfer skillet to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken reaches and internal temperature of 165 F
whisk together glaze ingredients and serve with the warm chicken