My family’s favorite “breaded” Paleo Chicken Cutlets that are super easy, quick, and just as good as the original. Whole30 compliant and kid friendly – you can put these on you “go-to” dinner list!
I’ll begin today’s post with a true-chicken-cutlet-story from my childhood. Or adolescence? I can’t remember anymore. Anyhow, my mom – who worked full time++ while I was growing up (and still does, actually) – set a goal at some point to cook dinner once per week.
I think it was Saturdays, might have been Sundays. Nope, Sunday was family meeting day, Saturday dinner day. So, anyway…
The thing she would make once per week was chicken cutlets. You can feel the excitement now, I’m sure.
Gosh help me, if there was such a thing as the internet back then, or, even if I’d just had a cookbook, I probably would’ve cooked myself once per week or at least printed out a few recipes for my dad to figure out. To save us from TV dinner and delivery overload.
He tried lasagna once and simultaneously made it watery and burnt – I still don’t understand that one. But back to the chicken cutlet story.
The weekly chicken cutlets – along with the mashed potatoes, canned corn and the occasional canned peas, made quite the impression on me. So much so, that I’m sitting here now more than 30 years later telling you the story, that really isn’t much of a story, but rather PROOF that delicious, home cooked meals are MEMORABLE – even if they only happen once per week. Maybe ESPECIALLY if they only happen once per week.
I suppose if I wanted to get (probably-unnecessarily) analytical about my food blogging ways, I would tell you that my “mission” as a (Paleo) food blogger is to help busy families (MOMS!) have MORE of those memorable home cooking family moments.
Made grain free and healthier, of course! And yes, it totally counts even if it’s only on Saturdays (which, maybe-not-so-accidentally happens to be today!)
These Paleo chicken cutlets are as close to a copycat of what my mom used to make as I could come up with. The Italian style breadcrumbs are mimicked with a mixture of blanched almond flour and coconut flour plus salt and Italian seasonings, and the dredging/frying process is very much the same. Voila – we have a Whole30 and Paleo chicken winner here!
The best part? My kids (and husband) – who still eat unhealthy chicken fingers on occasion – love these as much as any non-Paleo chicken. I made them this time with smashed & roasted red potatoes and a simple salad, but, if you prefer going the mashed potato/canned corn route you know I will not blame you!
Busy mommas, unite! And definitely make your family these “breaded” Paleo chicken cutlets – whenever/wherever you’re reading this – it’s Saturday somewhere, right? Hmm, not sure. Either way let’s start cooking!
“Breaded” Paleo Chicken Cutlets {Whole30}
"Breaded" Paleo Chicken Cutlets {Whole30}
Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, thin sliced or pounded to 1/2" thickness
- 1 cup blanched almond flour*
- 1/4 cup coconut flour*
- 1 and 1/4 tsp fine grain sea salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning blend <--My favorite
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- dash red pepper flakes optional
- 1 egg whisked
- 3 tbsp coconut oil + 2 tbsp ghee for frying**
Instructions
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Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium shallow bowl (you will dredge the cutlets in the mixture)
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Have your whisked egg in a shallow bowl, heat a large, heavy, deep skillet over medium heat and add 3 tbsp total of cooking fat (a combination of ghee and coconut oil, or all coconut.) Depending on the size of your skillet, you might have to fry these in 2 batches, so have additional cooking fat ready in case you need more.
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Once the skillet it preheated (you can see if a drop of the dry mixture sizzles), dip one cutlet in the egg, shaking off excess, then coat in the dry mixture, shaking off excess. Place the chicken in the pan, then repeat the process for each piece of chicken.
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Cook on one side until medium-golden brown (2 minutes) and crisp, then carefully turn over the chicken with tongs and cook the second side until golden brown and juices run clear, about 2 minutes depending on the thickness of your chicken***
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Carefully remove chicken cutlets from skillet with tongs and place on a paper-towel lined plate to absorb excess grease. Serve hot with baked fries, sweet potatoes, or butternut squash fries! Enjoy!
Recipe Notes
*You will likely have a bit of this mixture leftover, but I recommend using this amount to ensure you have enough to dredge all the cutlets without things getting sticky!
**I love this specific combination for how it helps the cutlets brown without burning, however you can easily use all coconut oil to fry the cutlets.
***You might need to adjust the heat and/or add more fat to the skillet while cooking the second side, as well as for the second batch.
Nutrition
What I Used to Make My Paleo Chicken Cutlets:
Want more family friendly Paleo chicken recipes? Try one of these!
Crispy One-Pan Bacon Wrapped Chicken
Chicken Salad with Bacon and Scallions
Favorite Paleo Chicken Recipes On the Web!
Paleo & Whole30 Chicken Tenders
Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Thighs
Tell Me!
What was your favorite home cooked dinner growing up?
What are your favorite side dishes right now?
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Made this for dinner tonight, and it was amazing! I’m in W30 round 2, and we had something during the first round that left us saying, “I wish we could have breaded this.” Well now we can! Delicious breading recipe that will be used on more than chicken cutlets in the future. Thanks!
Thrilled you enjoyed it!
I have been working out of town, living Monday thru Friday in a hotel room with only a mini fridge and a microwave for “cooking”. Saturday and Sunday involve a lot of intense meal prepping as I don’t eat in restaurants. I’m keto rather than whole 30. Last week I was craving fried chicken and almost caved and did the fast food chain. Fortunately, I was able to stick to my eating plan and not cave. Today I made your fried chicken using cutlets (3 of them) and packed them up to take with me for dinners next week, with spinach, tomato, and feta salad as the side. I did cut off a corner of one to taste it and had to force myself not to eat the whole thing! OMG! Takes me back to my mom’s fried chicken dinners. I have made a similar “fried” chicken breaded with only almond flour that was baked in the oven, and I have to say this is wayyyyy better. Thanks so much for giving me back fried chicken that tastes even better than the classic, flour dredged version! I’m thinking these will also make great chicken sandwiches on gluten free buns with homemade mayo, lettuce and tomato. Hmmm, I think I need to go make some buns now 😉
Have never heard of almond crusted cutlets. This is a super idea packing more nutrition to the recipe Hanifia
Think you can use boneless skinless thighs as they’re usually thinner?
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My hats off to you again for yet another amazing recipe. Just made these for lunch today, and my family couldn’t stop raving about how delicious these cutlets turned out.
This chicken recipe is to die for!
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