Looking for an easy recipe that feels fancy but fits your busy lifestyle? Walnut-crusted chicken with honey and brie is the perfect dish to elevate your dinner table without the fuss.
Combining Mediterranean flavors with a hint of indulgence, this dish is both healthy and decadent. Ready in under an hour, it’s ideal for a weeknight meal or a special occasion.
A Perfect Balance of Flavors
This dish brings together the earthy crunch of walnuts, the creamy richness of brie, and the sweetness of honey. Inspired by the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet, it’s a guilt-free way to enjoy comfort food.
The tender chicken is enhanced by a crispy walnut coating, while the honey adds a luscious glaze. Brie ties it all together with its luxurious, melted texture.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need to be a gourmet chef to create a dish that looks and tastes this impressive. It’s a recipe that works for family dinners or hosting friends.
Quick Tips for Success
- Prep Smarter: Use a food processor to quickly chop the walnuts into fine pieces for a uniform crust.
- Choose the Right Brie: Go for a high-quality brie with a creamy texture that melts easily.
- Adjust Sweetness: Prefer a savory profile? Reduce the honey slightly and sprinkle in a touch of sea salt before serving.
With minimal ingredients and steps, this recipe is all about making your time in the kitchen enjoyable and efficient.
Customization for Every Diet
This recipe is versatile and can be adjusted to meet different dietary needs:
- Gluten-Free Option: Replace whole-wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a gluten-free version.
- Low-Carb Modification: Skip the honey glaze and opt for a squeeze of lemon juice instead to keep carbs in check.
- Vegetarian Alternative: Swap chicken for eggplant slices or portobello mushrooms for a satisfying meat-free meal.
These simple swaps ensure that everyone at the table can enjoy this dish.
Why This Recipe Stands Out
What makes this walnut-crusted chicken unique is its combination of textures and flavors. The crisp walnut crust provides a satisfying crunch, while the gooey brie and honey glaze create a decadent finish.
This dish also aligns with Mediterranean food principles—highlighting fresh, wholesome ingredients that are both delicious and nourishing.
Make It a Meal
Pair this dish with classic Mediterranean sides for a complete dinner:
- Salads: A simple arugula and cherry tomato salad with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
- Vegetables: Roasted asparagus or zucchini tossed with garlic and herbs.
- Grains: Serve over a bed of fluffy couscous or quinoa to soak up the honey glaze.
These additions complement the flavors of the chicken beautifully, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
Elevate Your Food Game
This walnut-crusted chicken is a recipe that feels like an indulgence but fits seamlessly into a balanced lifestyle. It’s easy enough for a beginner cook and sophisticated enough to impress guests.
Whether you’re seeking a comforting dinner or a show-stopping main dish, this recipe delivers every time.
Add this Mediterranean-inspired recipe to your repertoire and enjoy a dish that’s simple, delicious, and packed with flavor. Ready to give it a try? It’s your time to shine in the kitchen!
Easy Walnut-Crusted Chicken Recipe with Honey & Brie
Equipment
- Rimmed baking sheet
- Cooking spray or brush
Ingredients
- Cooking spray or oil for greasing
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders
- ½ cup buttermilk
- 1 ½ cups finely chopped raw walnuts
- 2 tablespoons whole-wheat flour
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
- ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Extra-virgin olive oil for brushing
Honey Sauce:
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Topping:
- 4 ounces Brie cheese cut into small wedges
Instructions
- Set your oven to 375°F and prepare a rimmed baking sheet by lightly coating it with cooking spray or oil.
- In a large shallow dish, pour the buttermilk over the chicken tenders, ensuring they are fully coated.
- In a separate shallow dish, mix the chopped walnuts, whole-wheat flour, fresh thyme, cayenne pepper, a pinch of kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Take each chicken tender, one at a time, and coat it in the walnut mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks. Lay the coated chicken pieces on the prepared baking sheet, spacing them evenly. Lightly brush or drizzle them with olive oil.
- Place the chicken in the oven and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the chicken is fully cooked through.
- As the chicken cooks, prepare the honey sauce by combining the honey and Dijon mustard in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat for about 2 minutes, stirring, until the sauce becomes warm and smooth.
- When the chicken is done baking, take it out of the oven and drizzle half of the honey sauce over the top. Place a small wedge of Brie cheese on each piece of chicken, then return the baking sheet to the oven for an additional 3 to 5 minutes, allowing the Brie to melt.
- Remove the chicken from the oven once the Brie has melted and serve immediately. Drizzle the remaining honey sauce over the chicken for a finishing touch.
Notes
- This dish pairs well with roasted vegetables or a simple side salad.
- For extra crunch, try adding panko breadcrumbs to the walnut mixture.
- If you prefer a sweeter sauce, add an extra teaspoon of honey to the sauce mixture.
Nancy has been a plant person from an early age. That interest blossomed into a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Nancy worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.