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
-
Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium shallow bowl (you will dredge the cutlets in the mixture)
-
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.
-
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***
-
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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On Day 2 of Whole 30 and desperately hunting for a chicken recipe (we’re poor planners) and ran into this! Thankfully, had all the ingredients in the cupboard from previous 30’s and went to town. Absolutely delicious and was a hit with family! I also did a quick marinade of the cutlets with Primal’s caesar dressing, lemon juice, and salt and pepper.
Sorry forgot to rate – 5 Stars!
I made this in my first round of whole30 last year and it was one of my FAVORITE recipes of the month!! Now that I’m doing keto whole30.. do you think this would work with boneless skinless chicken thighs?
Where can i find the recipe for the smashed potatoes that are in the photo?
Paleo Crispy Crispy Fried Chicken is very tasty and attractive. I really like this dish. I will learn how to make this dish.
My kiddos loved this recipe and they dont usually like many Paleo recipes. I will definitely make it again.
Crispy bread is a delicious food especially for the breakfast,I like most these ingredients for the health.Thanks for this post.
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Really good and my son loves it too. Thank you!
This chicken was delicious! I am newly GF and have been hoping to find a good fried chicken recipe. This was perfect! The almond/coconut flour has the same feel of a cornmeal. I am a fan and so was my boyfriend who is not GF. Will definitely make again!