Happy Mother’s Day to my fiesty momma (and Happy Birthday to my daddio)! There are so many brunchy recipes out there right now for Mother’s Day – and I love it. But my mom, she isn’t a brunch kind of lady (last year I made her a Greek Chicken Pizza – that she loved, I’m happy to report).
My mom is very set in her ways when it comes to food. Every now and then we can get her to try something new, but sometimes I have to trick her. It comes from a place of love, I promise. Like sometimes I don’t tell her that I used Splenda instead of sugar, or almond meal instead of breadcrumbs. Because if I did, she just wouldn’t eat it.
This Parmesan Crusted Chicken with Arugula Salad is something I ordered at a chain restaurant not that long ago while at dinner with one of my sister’s. I loved the concept, and was excited about the flavors, but it ended up being just so-so, and that made me sad. I was for sure this was a dish I could get my mom to love – especially since the Italian lady in her enjoys similar meals like this.
After a bit of trial and error, I finally nailed this dish. Typically, you may find this recipe made with breadcrumbs of some sort, and fried in oil. But I lightened it up with almond meal (that I bought in bulk on Amazon – WHO HAVE I BECOME?! Clearly, I like cooking with almond flour?), and baked in the oven at 350. The trick to bringing out the flavor was fresh lemon and a teensy bit of olive oil at the very end. I also wanted flavorful bites of bursting tomato to add with the arugula salad to balance the peppery taste from the arugula.
…ALL THE FLAVORS
Your chicken looks perfect – I don’t think frying it would make it any better. Glad you succeeded in creating the recipe you were hoping for.
Really like the idea of using almond flour! Looking forward to giving this a try! #TBB
Great idea to use almond flour! Happy mother’s day!
I hear you, girl. I am all about the almond flour these days. It makes a great substitute for breadcrumbs. Great flavor combos here!
I actually made onion rings with almond meal one night to go with steak my husband was grilling. ALMOND FLOUR ALL THE THINGS, please 🙂
That looks delicious and so much healthier than a breadcrumb version.
…and it tastes the same too. I love all the flavors in this dish!
I had to laugh when you talked about tricking your mom to eat something new. I have totally done that!! My mom is very much the same. She does not like to try anything new. This looks fantastic, and I know I my mom would love it. Except the arugula – she would draw the line there. haha
Haha, my mom just discovered Whole Foods, and she thinks she is the authority on it now…she is just like that. She comes around eventually… 🙂 And my mom won’t try the arugula either. LOL! How did they have such foodie daughters?
A beautiful plate of simple, delicious food!
Thanks Shaina!
Now that is some beautifully crusted golden chicken! I could dive right into that plate!
Thanks, Sarah! It is sooo good!
YES! I love this simple but elegant dinner! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning, and stopping by Taylor! I hope you love this dinner as much as we do.
That looks delicious! I love a simple but beautiful dish.
This looks amazing!! I so need to try it.
It is sooo good, and so easy!
This sounds so yummy!! I’m sure your momma will love it! xx
Audrey | http://www.keygypsy.com
She did love it – phew! Though she was not into the arugula, lol.
I never used almond meal as a breading. Yum!
It is just like using Panko or breadcrumbs, but less processed 🙂
What a fabulous meal! Your crusted chicken looks irresistible!
Thanks, Liz! Hope you had a wonderful Mother’s Day!
What a perfect supper! Love the crust and the baked tomatoes! Happy Mother’s Day!
Thanks so much Gwen!
What a nice looking salad for any day of the week!
The added slivers of Parmesan… oh my, this chicken looks delicious! Happy Day! Any mother would love this dish!
Beautiful dish, Nicole, and it looks so healthy!
I have never tried almond meal. I will have to keep an eye out for it. Happy Mother’s Day.
This sounds wonderful for any time, but perfect for Mother’s Day too!!
I’d want this parmesan chicken over the tomato-y chicken parmesan any day of the week. So light and wonderful looking. Perfect for summer too.