This pistachio crusted chicken is served over cilantro cauliflower rice with a spicy lime yogurt sauce for an easy, low carb healthy, weeknight dinner!
PIN Pistachio Crusted Chicken
I feel like crusting a chicken in nuts is a surefire way to make it feel SO fancy, but it’s SO STINKING EASY.
It worked in the almond crusted chicken bites and it sure as heck works here. Honestly may even be more partial to this recipe because like, HII pistachios, why are you so amazing!
This chicken is supremely crispy and crunchy on the outside AND the nutty coating protects the inside so it’s super moist and juicy and AMAZING.
And with that tangy coriander yogurt sauce?
I die.
Are Pistachios Healthy?
I am the kind of girl that goes NUTS for nuts! Ha ha ha… but it’s true. If you know me, you know I’m all about nuts as a snack, in nut butter like cookie dough almond butter and Vegan Cake Batter Cashew Butter, in baked goods like Caramel Apple Peanut Kettle Corn Bars AND now even with meat, like this Pistachio Chicken I’m going to show you today! BUT did you know that not only are nuts delicious, but are also healthy and nourishing for your body? Here are some health benefits of pistachios:
- Nutrient Dense: Pistachios are loaded with fiber as well as important nutrients such as Potassium, Thiamine, Copper, Manganese and Vitamin B6 to keep your body nourished.
- High in Antioxidants: Antioxidants are SO important to your overall well being because they fight disease and prevent cell damage.
- Protein Rich: Pistachios are great because they’re low in calories, but high in protein!
- Heart Healthy: Rich in vitamins, healthy fats and minerals, eating pistachios may also prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.
Pistachio Crusted Chicken Ingredients
Now that we’ve covered all the AMAZING health benefits of pistachios, I’m itching to show you this recipe because I think you’re going to be as obsessed as I am! Chicken with a light, crispy, bread crumb-free coating is so satisfying and delish. It’s a great meal to put into your weeknight dinner recipe rotation and it’s ALSO fancy enough to serve to guests at a dinner party! AND let’s not forget how easy it is- it only uses a few ingredients. BONUS! Here are the ingredients you will need (and may already have on hand):
- Roasted Pistachios
- Salt
- Large Egg White
- 2 Small Chicken Breasts (8oz)
How to Make Baked Chicken Crispy
I love cooking chicken. It’s a lean meat that can be spiced up in so many different ways, and it’s SO versatile! Chicken goes well in so many casseroles and stir fries like Cumin Healthy Chicken Stir Fry with Carrot Noodles, but it also can stand alone and be AMAZING all by itself.
When I’m baking pistachio crusted chicken, I want to make sure the chicken is crispy, but not JUST on top-all the way around! If you want crispy chicken, I have a fool proof way: simply cook the prepared coated chicken breasts directly on the oven’s wire rack, or on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet. This will allow the air to flow all the way around each chicken breast and the result? CRISPY GOODNESS.
Mix it Up
I’m all about playing around with recipes and mixing things up to keep mealtimes fun and interesting! I guarantee you’re going to LOVE this tasty chicken recipe, but you’re also free to tweak it a bit and try something new if you want to spice it up a little! Although I haven’t tried it yet, I think that roasted almonds, peanuts, or cashews would also work GREAT as a crust in this recipe!
Other Healthy Chicken Dinners
Mango Chicken with Coconut Cauliflower Rice
Keto Chicken Marinade for Grilled Chicken
Ingredients
For the chicken
- 1/2 Cup Roasted Pistachios
- Salt
- 1 Large egg white
- 8 Oz Chicken (2 small breasts)
For the cauliflower rice
- 4 Cups Cauliflower, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1/2 Cup Cilantro, roughly chopped (extra for garnish)
- Salt/pepper, to taste
- Fresh lime juice, to taste
For the sauce
- 1/2 Cup Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp Ground coriander
- Juice of half a lime
- 1/8 tsp Cayenne pepper*
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 425 degrees and place a
small cooling rack on top of a large baking sheet. Set aside. - In a small food processor, grind the pistachios and a pinch of
salt until the pistachios are broken down, but are still a little chunky. This
keeps the chicken crunchy. Pour the pistachios into a shallow plate with edges.
Place the egg white into a medium bowl. - Pat the chicken dry and place into the egg whites, shaking off
any excess. Then, place into the pistachios and gently roll around until the
whole chicken is covered, lightly pressing to adhere the nuts to the chicken.
Place onto the rack and bake until the chicken is no longer pink inside, and
the outside is golden brown and crunchy, about 12-15 minutes. - While the chicken cooks, place the cauliflower
into a large food processor and process until it looks like rice - Place the cauliflower rice into a large bowl and microwave until
soft, about 3-4 minutes. Toss with the cilantro and season to taste with salt
pepper and fresh lime juice. Set aside - Whisk all the sauce ingredients together in a
small bowl and serve over top of cauliflower rice and chicken. - Garnish with cilantro and DEVOUR
Tips & Notes:
Nutrition Info:
Recipes written and produced on Food Faith Fitness are for informational purposes only.
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Mandy @Mandy's Recipe Box says
This is just gorgeous. Annnd sometimes husbands shouldn’t do the planning amiright?? It’s cute that they try 😉
Taylor Kiser says
Exactly…but “try” is the key word 😉 Thanks Mandy!
Layla @Gimme Delicious says
Oh yum! This chicken looks delicious and I’m sure it pairs well with the cauliflower rice!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you Layla!
tanya says
For being tired, you make a mean chicken! I love the crunch and the color from the pistachios. Such a fabulous meal!
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks lady!
Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. says
That looks completely amazing. I love everything about it, cilantro lime rice (still need to try the cauliflower rice thing!) and pistachio chicken. Yum. Pinned!
Taylor Kiser says
You totally need to try cauli rice! it’s so tasty! Thank you Stacey! xoxo
Lisa @ Healthy Nibbles & Bits says
I LOVE that you used pistachios as crust for this chicken. And oh my, 12:00am flight??? I think I would have fallen asleep in the waiting area! I’ve been seeing some photos of your trip on IG. Hope you’re having fun!
Taylor Kiser says
Haha! I almost did fall asleep! Thank you Lisa!
Celeryandthecity says
DEFINITELY trying this. Pistachios =win. Chicken = duh. Never thought of combining these – genius!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank you! Please let me know if you try it!
Rachel @ Bakerita says
I loooove pistachios and this looks so so yummy! That crunchy coating is all I need.
Taylor Kiser says
Thanks girlfriend! We gotta get together!!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
I remember seeing your insta photo thinking…why is she Australian time haha!
This looks delicious and off to stalk now!
Taylor Kiser says
Thank youuuuuuu!
Betty says
Hi Taylor –
The link to the recipe for the Pistachio-Encrusted Chicken is no longer active. Could you repost the recipe? Sounds wonderful. Thanks!
Taylor Kiser says
Unfortunately, I can’t. I no longer have access to these recipes – I’ve been emailing WholeYum every day to get them to repost them, and they aren’t responding. I am so so sorry!
Taylor Kiser says
Wanted to let you know it’s back! 🙂
Susan says
I cannot find the cilantro lime cauliflower with pistachio crusted chicken recipe on WholeYum link
you provide. Can you please tell me where to find it? Its states “page not found”
Thank you
Taylor Kiser says
Hi Susan! They are having issues – I am sorry. Shoot me an email ([email protected]) and I can email it to you. Thanks!