This almond chicken panda express Recipe, prepared with almonds, spices, and eggs, is naturally healthy and gluten-free. This simple recipe uses ground almonds instead of breadcrumbs to make crispy chicken tenders.
This almond chicken panda express from Panda Express has become one of my favorite midweek dinners. It’s also a hit with my family since who doesn’t like chicken strips?
Crunchy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and bursting with flavor: that Salmond chicken panda express. As a bonus, almonds’ healthful fats make each slice more satisfying than standard versions.
Page Contents
Why Make This Healthy Almond Chicken Panda Express Recipe?
Quick and easy: It takes less than an hour for Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken breast tenderloins to be ready, and most of that time is spent in the oven.
Healthy: Almonds are a great source of calcium, as are lean protein chicken breasts, which are also rich in amino acids and potassium, magnesium, and vitamin E!
Baked not fried: As a result, we may create a sweet treat that is reduced in fat and calories.
Kid-approved: Mom and kids both approve of the chicken strips, and the kids don’t even realize they’re eating healthier for them.
Diet-friendly: These Crispy Almond Chicken Tenders are suitable for a variety of healthy diets, including those requiring low-carb, gluten-free, sugar-free, keto, paleo, or Whole30.
Ingredients That You’ll Need
Double the recipe if you plan to have any leftovers. Only a few pieces of crispy almond chicken breast were left after I finished making the dish that serves four people.
Chicken: It’s best to use breast or tenderloin from a chicken. Boneless and skinless are the best options.
Almonds: If you don’t want to deal with the other breading components, use raw almonds instead. It is possible to substitute almond flour in this recipe, but the chicken won’t be as crispy. Almond flour may be used instead to make an almond flour crust for a pizza.
Seasonings: Garlic powder or onion granules, dried oregano or basil, salt, and pepper Fresh garlic and herbs are not recommended since they will damage the breading.
Eggs: To stick it all together! I have also written an article on Almond Chicken a Nutty Twist on a Classic Dish.
Can I Make Almond Chicken Panda Express Ahead?
Yes, this recipe for Crispy Almond Chicken from Panda Express may be prepared ahead of time. Take care of the almond-crusted chicken tenders according to the recipe.
Lay the uncooked strips out on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze for at least an hour. Transfer to a Ziploc bag and seal. Bake your Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken from frozen according to the recipe’s directions plus 15 minutes when you’re ready to eat.
Optional Add-ins and Variations
Nuts: If you’re looking for something new, try cashews, Pistachios, or even smoked almonds!
Seasonings: Smoked paprika, paprika, thyme, or cajun spices would be wonderful additions to this dish. Smoked paprika on air-fried chicken drumsticks is a big hit with children!
Eggs: Have you run out of eggs? Milk, buttermilk, sour cream, or Greek yogurt are all good options.
Grated parmesan: Could be mixed into the breading for an almond parmesan-coated chicken.
Other meat: Whitefish, salmon, and pork chops are all good choices for this breading. You can get more from this video.
How to Make Crispy Almond Chicken Panda Express?
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Set aside a large baking sheet lined with unbleached parchment paper and sprayed with cooking spray.
Combine ground almonds, garlic (onion) powder, oregano (basil), salt, and pepper in a small mixing bowl. Whisk the eggs in a separate small basin.
Wash the chicken breasts and pat them dry with a paper towel. Strips should be 1/2 inch thick and cut lengthwise. Place a few on a chopping board, cover with plastic wrap, and pound a couple of times with a meat tenderizer. Rep with the remaining parts.
Dip each strip in the egg mixture, then in the almond mixture, and lay it on the prepared baking sheet. To avoid nuts clinging to your fingers, try holding the meat by the ends, or rinse your fingers in a bowl of cold water after each piece.
Bake for 15 minutes on one side, then turn and continue baking for another 12-15 minutes, or until golden brown. Please keep in mind that while flipping, the bottom may appear underbaked and mushy, but trust me, it will brown and crisp.
Your Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken is best served hot, with ketchup or honey mustard sauce for dipping, pressure cooker mac, and cheese, tomato mozzarella salad, or savoy cabbage salad.
How to Serve Almond Chicken Panda Express?
These Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken tenders are great as:
An Appetizer With Dipping Sauce: It may be anything from ketchup to healthy honey mustard to BBQ sauce to ranch dressing.
Faux Fast Food Meal: Serving suggestions include Joanna Gaines Mac And Cheese, mashed potatoes with gravy, or cauliflower mac and cheese.
Low Carb Meal: Salads like Ted Peters Potato Salad, Ono Hawaiian Bbq Macaroni Salad, Bacchus Purple Salad Radish, or savoy cabbage go well with this dish.
Easy Dinner With A Side Of Veggies: Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken Tenders go well with baked okra, and it’s quick to prepare while the chicken bakes in the oven are already prepared to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Your kids will gobble it up. The okra steam will make the chicken less crispy, so I don’t recommend baking them both at the same time. Another on Simply Almond Creamer – Recipe to Make.
How to Store Almond Chicken Panda Express?
Storing: Crispy Almond Chicken from Panda Express may be stored in the fridge for up to five days. Keep in mind that once it’s been chilled, some of the crunches will be lost. Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken leftovers keep well in the freezer for up to three months.
Reheating: When you are ready to reheat your Panda Express Crispy Almond Chicken, bake it from the frozen state for 10 – 15 minutes.
Recipe Tips
If you’re scared your crust won’t cling, cover and chill your chicken tenders for 15-20 minutes after ‘breading’ them.
The almond coating should be brushed on rather than sprayed on. If you’re pressed for time, pat the chicken strips dry after breading to seal in the breading.
In a food processor, grind almonds: Although this is purely a matter of taste, I think the chicken tastes even better with a few crispy nut bits on top!
Don’t miss the tenderizing step: It evens out the texture of the chicken and makes it juicier!
Adding a drizzle of olive oil is optional, but it will give the “fried” chicken in almond flour a nice crunch.
Conclusion
Love this recipe. Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below and consider leaving a comment. It’s always greatly appreciated!
Crunchy almond chicken is a Chinese stir fry dish that is made with various vegetables, chicken breast, and of course, sliced almonds. They add a nutritious crunch to the dish.
Simply put, yes almonds are considered a vegan-friendly food because they’re fully plant-based.
It’s because they tenderize chicken using a simple method called Velveting Chicken using baking soda.