Hemp and almond crusted chicken with honey Dijon dressing

Hi! Hope you’re having an awesome hump day. Thank you for your insightful comments on this morning’s post. I’ve enjoyed reading all of them and love the discussion that’s been going on today. Thank you! <3

This morning Liv and I ran a couple of errands and ended up at Tiki Port.

Photo 162

I’ve drastically reduced caffeine intake over here, but was in the mood for an almond milk Mexican mocha. (<— INSANE) Hopefully it doesn’t reawaken the eye twitch 😉

Last week, I got a request to include some more hemp seed recipes.

I have a hard time making it through a giant bag over here. Anyone else?

Hemp seeds  1 of 1

When I see the enormous bag at Costco , I’m like “YES. I NEED THESE!” and there they sit in the fridge. Sure, they’re awesome in these snack bites and these pancakes, and even just sprinkled into oats or smoothies, but I’m still trying to get creative with my hemp seed options. 

Last night, I decided to make some pan-seared chicken using our current favorite meat (chicken thighs) + a crust with almond meal, hemp seeds, flax and spices. 

Spices  1 of 1 3

(Determined to photograph the henna tattoo as much as possible before it’s gone haha)

Seared in on the stovetop before finishing in the oven:

Chicken  1 of 1 14

And made a quick honey Dijon sauce to pour on top.

Chicken  1 of 1 15

It’s rough (for me) to take an appealing chicken picture, but this meal was particularly gorious: a crunchy, savory, slightly sweet, healthy fat and protein-packed entree.

To go along with the chicken, a date and goat cheese salad + creamy cauliflower.

Salad  1 of 1 31

Cauliflower  1 of 1

Cauliflower  1 of 1 2

not.too.shabby.

Let me know if you give it a try! I also provided an option to skip the hemp seeds if you don’t have them on hand or prefer not to use them.

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Hemp and almond crusted chicken with honey Dijon dressing

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A savory and slightly sweet twist on the normal chicken dinner. This one also has a gluten and grain-free crust, packed with fiber and healthy fat.

  • Prep Time: 5
  • Cook Time: 20
  • Total Time: 25
  • Yield: 6 1x

Ingredients

Scale

For the chicken

  • 6 large chicken thigh pieces, rinsed, pat dry and seasoned with salt and pepper
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tablespoons almond milk
  • 1 cup almond meal
  • 1/4 cup hemp seeds (or 1/4 cup crushed pistachios)
  • 2 tablespoons ground flax
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1/ teaspoon pepper
  • coconut oil, for pan-searing
  • 2 cloves minced garlic

For the sauce

  • 1 heaping teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 heaping teaspoon honey
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
  • Fresh parsley, to garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a roasting dish with olive oil or nonstick spray.
  2. In a small bowl, mix the egg and almond milk.
  3. In another bowl, combine the almond meal, hemp seeds (or crushed pistachios), flax, salt, pepper, oregano, paprika and garlic.
  4. Heat a skillet to medium and add some coconut oil to the pan.
  5. Soak each piece of chicken in the egg mixture before coating in the almond meal mixture (on both sides; press to coat well). Add the chicken to the skillet and pan sear for 2 minutes on each side.
  6. Transfer the chicken to the baking dish and place in the oven to cook until the juices run clear. (I always check mine with a meat thermometer to make sure they’re cooked through, too.)
  7. While the chicken is cooking, make the sauce. Use the same skillet, and add some butter or coconut oil to the pan and bring the heat to medium low. Saute the garlic for a couple of minutes before adding the chicken broth and scraping the bottom of the pan with a spatula. Stir in the honey, lemon juice, and Dijon (you may have to whisk it a bit in the skillet). Bring the heat up to medium high and when it starts to bubble, reduce to low.
  8. When the chicken is finished cooking, transfer to a serving dish and pour the sauce on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and smoked paprika.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4

xoxo

Gina

Do you have any favorite uses for hemp seeds? 

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41 Comments

  1. Lisa @ Fresh Spinach on July 16, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    I love hemp seeds sprinkled on pasta. Great substitute for parmesan cheese.

  2. Gaby on July 16, 2014 at 7:11 pm

    i use them as pine nut replacements in pesto- they taste exactly the same!

  3. Allison on July 16, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    Can you post the recipe for the creamy cauliflower? That looks amazing!!

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 1:02 am

      i didn’t measure anything, but here’s what i did:
      i steamed the cauliflower for about 7 minutes (until you can pierce with a fork) and then blended in the vitamix with chicken broth, salt and pepper
      transferred back to the pot with more chicken broth as needed, butter, a little almond milk, chives, garlic, and more salt/pepper to taste
      next time i can be more precise! 🙂

  4. Brynn on July 16, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    I literally JUST spotted my bag of hemp seeds in the back of my cupboard yesterday and thought, “what should I do with these?” Ha! You read my mind! Can’t wait to give this recipe a try, sounds light, crunchy and a perfect knock off.

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 1:01 am

      let me know if you give them a whirl! thank you for the twitter love today too 🙂 xo

  5. Emily on July 16, 2014 at 8:11 pm

    Not really hemp seed related, but I just found out we’ll be doing a mini “babymoon” weekend trip to SD in a couple weeks! I’m excited to check out La Jolla, the Gaslamp Quarter, and maybe whale watch. Any favorites or suggestions for weekend getaway activities?

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 1:00 am

      i don’t have a ton of activities ideas because we usually lounge and play on the beach. let me know if you need food ideas 🙂

  6. Megan @ The Skinny-Life on July 16, 2014 at 8:49 pm

    Hemp blueberry banana muffins are my favorite lately! Hemp is hard to use quickly. Love love love the sound of this recipe!

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:58 am

      that sounds amazing!

  7. Yaara Leve on July 16, 2014 at 9:03 pm

    That looks delish! You’ve got me craving chicken nuggets big time now! Lol 🙂
    And creamy cauliflower?? What? Please post recipe!

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:58 am

      i didn’t measure anything, but here’s what i did:
      i steamed the cauliflower for about 7 minutes (until you can pierce with a fork) and then blended in the vitamix with chicken broth, salt and pepper
      transferred back to the pot with more chicken broth as needed, butter, a little almond milk, chives, garlic, and more salt/pepper to taste

  8. Erin Motz on July 16, 2014 at 9:14 pm

    #cauliflowerenvy that looks insane!

  9. Laura @ She Eats Well on July 16, 2014 at 9:49 pm

    I am totally making this recipe! Chicken thighs are my absolute favorite, and I’ve been wondering about using hemp! I saw the same bag yesterday lol.

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:57 am

      let me know how they turn out!

  10. kyla on July 16, 2014 at 11:24 pm

    How did you prepare the cauliflower? Looks delish!!!!!!

    And I think you should get the henna tattoo as the real deal 🙂

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:56 am

      DUDE. i really want to but the pilot is anti-tattoo. been trying to change his mind for years
      i steamed the cauliflower for about 7 minutes (until you can pierce with a fork) and then blended in the vitamix with chicken broth, salt and pepper
      transferred back to the pot with more chicken broth as needed, butter, a little almond milk, chives, garlic, and more salt/pepper to taste

      • Shaina Anderson on July 17, 2014 at 1:16 am

        Mine is anti-tattoo too! Good thing they came before he did muahahaha….but I’ll prob never get another one :-/

      • kyla on July 17, 2014 at 6:47 am

        Yum! Thanks!!!

  11. shaina on July 17, 2014 at 12:18 am

    I don’t even eat meat but maybe once in a blue moon but this looks so good! I might have to try it out. And you’re really making me want a henna tat on my wrist (even though I have 4 real tattoos elsewhere haha).

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:55 am

      ahhh i want a real one so badly

      • Shaina Anderson on July 17, 2014 at 1:15 am

        Be careful! They’re addicting haha

  12. Giselle on July 17, 2014 at 12:31 am

    Yum! Almond milk Mexican Mocha!?! Heaven! I’ve been getting almond milk lattes with honey from Peet’s and coconut milk lattes with honey from Nordstrom’s lately much more often than I used to. Not sure why but I’ve just been craving them! Hot or cold, so good!

  13. Caroline on July 17, 2014 at 6:39 am

    I throw a couple tablespoons into a large salad for added nuttiness and protein.

  14. Haley on July 17, 2014 at 7:10 am

    I also bought the same bag from Costco months ago and was worried we wouldn’t use it. But it sprinkle some in every salad I make and also add it to Greek yogurt. So good and good for you!

  15. Kristen on July 17, 2014 at 8:19 am

    I have the same problem – giant bags of hemp seeds, chia seeds, and flax that I run out of ideas for. I mix the hemp seeds into hummus sometimes for some texture and a protein boost.

    Also, am I missing something in your recipe? How much almond meal?

    I bet it would be great with salmon, too!

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:24 pm

      1 cup. i just fixed it. sorry about that :/

  16. Sara on July 17, 2014 at 9:29 am

    Hey, Gina- stoked on this recipe! However, it says ‘almond milk’ twice… should one of those measurements be almond MEAL? Thanks! 🙂

    • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:22 pm

      YES. gahhhh

      • Fitnessista on July 17, 2014 at 12:23 pm

        just fixed it. thank you!

  17. Sara on July 17, 2014 at 9:31 am

    Also?! I *need* the recipe for Creamy Cauliflower! Pretty please. This meal looks amazing!

  18. Meg @ A Dash of Meg on July 17, 2014 at 10:33 am

    this is so crazy Gina! I was just telling Eddie that we need to start using the big bag of hemp we have! Thank you for this recipe cause I only ever think to sprinkle them on salads

  19. Valerie - Bubbles and Gold on July 17, 2014 at 12:07 pm

    henna tattoos = awesomeness! mine only lasted for about 10 days. whomp, whomp.

  20. Tracy on July 17, 2014 at 12:27 pm

    I sometimes add in a couple tablespoons of hemp seeds into nut butter for texture and extra protein!

  21. Liesl @Fitnessinthekitchen on July 17, 2014 at 4:18 pm

    looks delish!

  22. Livi @ Eat, Pray, Work It Out on July 17, 2014 at 10:20 pm

    That creamy cauliflower looks delicious!

  23. Danielle on July 18, 2014 at 10:53 am

    Is that a real tattoo? Because it’s really cute! Sorry if I missed a post where you talked about it 🙂

  24. Morgan on July 22, 2014 at 2:15 pm

    I am going to give this a recipe a try tomorrow! I have a small sample bag of those hemp seeds and have been putting them in my shakes.

    Thankful to find something creative to do with them! Plus, I have all the other ingredients in my house. Thank you for sharing!

    • Fitnessista on July 23, 2014 at 2:10 am

      let me know how they turn out 🙂

  25. Lynne on July 22, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    The chicken was amazing!! I will have to make it again some time soon to try it with the dijon. I came downstairs from putting my little man to bed and my hubby (trying to help) didn’t realize the pan had sauce in it and dumped it and washed the pan. Aghh!! 🙁

    • Fitnessista on July 23, 2014 at 2:05 am

      ahhhh! at least he was trying to help clean? so happy you liked the chicken 🙂

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