Grain Free Chicken Milanese + Vegan Pesto
I have already expressed my love for chicken Milanese on a previous blog post, but I had to take it a step further by creating a grain free breaded version (closer to the real deal). This chicken is seriously so good that my husband said “You should make this every week just to have on hand” and that they are better than the chicken tenders from Erewhon. These are HUGE compliments coming from Cole (if you know him, you know he is impossible to impress). I paired the chicken with an arugula & bruschetta salad (you can find this recipe here) and the most amazing vegan pesto. I have recently been on a huge pest kick because 1. it’s so easy to make and 2. fresh pesto is INCREDIBLE. The smell alone does it for me.
Here is how you make the chicken.
Ingredients:
lb chicken cutlets or chicken breasts thinly sliced and pounded
1/4 cup tapioca starch
1/4 cup almond meal (it’s more coarse than flour)
1 egg
1-2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Salt & pepper to taste
Instructions:
Make sure your chicken is pounded thin. Lightly seasoned with salt and pepper on both sides.
In a shallow bowl or plate mix the tapioca starch, almond meal, oregano, and a pinch of salt. In another bowl crack your egg and whisk with a little water.
Using alternating hands, dip your chicken in the egg mixture then the flour mixture. Make sure to shake off any excess each time.
Heat the avocado oil in a pan on medium and fry your chicken for 4-5 minutes each side. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan! Top with pesto, salad, and a slice of lemon and enjoy!
Here’s how you make the pesto.
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh basil leaves (remove long stems)
2-3 cloves garlic
2-3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
2-3 tablespoons olive oil
2-3 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sunflower seeds
1/2 lemon juice
Pinch of salt
Instructions:
Place the basil, garlic, nutritional yeast, sunflower seeds, salt, and lemon juice in a blender or food processor and pulse until the basil is chopped.
Keep blending the mixture and slowly add in the water and olive oil. You can add more as needed. Once you can adjust your flavor by adding more lemon, olive oil, or salt. Enjoy!