Baked Almond Chicken

Name: Baked Almond Chicken
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tbsp (15 mL) butter; 1/2 cup (125 mL) slivered almonds; 4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb/450 g); 3 tbsp (45 mL) cornstarch; 2 tbsp (30 mL) sugar; Salt and pepper to taste; 1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Milk; 1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard or honey mustard; 1 tsp (5 mL) grated orange zest; 2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh orange juice

Our dietitians' favourite

This recipe is taken from the 2006 Milk Calendar. Almonds and fresh orange add a nice twist to chicken any day of the week or for casual entertaining. Serve with a side of rice and a crisp green salad.

Prep: 5 min - 10 min
Cooking: 25 min - 30 min

Yields 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tbsp (15 mL) butter
1/2 cup (125 mL) slivered almonds
4 small boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb/450 g)
3 tbsp (45 mL) cornstarch
2 tbsp (30 mL) sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups (375 mL) Milk
1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard or honey mustard
1 tsp (5 mL) grated orange zest
2 tbsp (30 mL) fresh orange juice

READY FOR REWARDS?

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425 °F (220 °C). Place butter in 13 x 9-inch (33 x 23 cm) glass baking dish. Heat in oven for about 2 min or until butter is melted.

Stir almonds into baking dish to coat with butter; spread into single layer. Bake for about 5 min, watching closely, or until golden. Transfer to bowl; set aside. Place chicken smooth side down in baking dish. Bake, uncovered, for 10 min or until evenly white on outside.

Meanwhile, in saucepan whisk together cornstarch, sugar, salt and pepper. Gradually whisk in milk until smooth; whisk in mustard, orange zest and half of reserved almonds. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring, for 3 to 5 min or until steaming and starting to thicken. Remove from heat; stir in orange juice.

Turn chicken smooth side up in dish; pour sauce over top. Bake, uncovered, for about 8 min longer or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Sprinkle with remaining almonds.