Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this Hazelnut Chicken with Pear Sauce and Blue Cheese—a gourmet dish that's easier than it looks! Juicy chicken breasts are coated in a crisp, nutty crust made from finely ground hazelnuts and panko breadcrumbs, then seared and baked to golden perfection. The star of the plate is the luscious pear sauce, made from fresh, ripe pears simmered with white wine, chicken stock, honey, and a splash of lemon juice for a tangy-sweet balance. A crumble of bold, creamy blue cheese tops it all off, adding a rich contrast to the sweetness of the sauce. This dish is a perfect harmony of textures and flavors, ideal for a special occasion or an indulgent family meal. Ready in under an hour, it’s a must-try recipe that turns everyday ingredients into a stunning culinary masterpiece! Keywords: hazelnut-crusted chicken, pear sauce, blue cheese, gourmet dinner, easy chicken recipe.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
Place the hazelnuts in a food processor and pulse until finely ground. Mix the ground hazelnuts with panko breadcrumbs in a shallow bowl.
Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Set up a breading station with three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with the hazelnut-breadcrumb mixture.
Dredge each chicken breast in the flour, then dip into the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the hazelnut-breadcrumb mixture. Press gently to ensure the coating adheres.
Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat. Sear the coated chicken breasts for 2-3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
While the chicken is baking, prepare the pear sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the diced pears, white wine, chicken stock, honey, and lemon juice.
Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the pears are soft and the sauce has thickened slightly. Use an immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth.
To serve, spoon the pear sauce onto each plate. Place a hazelnut-crusted chicken breast on top and sprinkle with crumbled blue cheese.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Calories |
3477 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 179.1 g | 230% | |
| Saturated Fat | 32.1 g | 160% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 4.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1000 mg | 333% | |
| Sodium | 4066 mg | 177% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 169.2 g | 62% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 28.8 g | 103% | |
| Total Sugars | 61.2 g | ||
| Protein | 276.4 g | 553% | |
| Vitamin D | 2.4 mcg | 12% | |
| Calcium | 715 mg | 55% | |
| Iron | 20.4 mg | 113% | |
| Potassium | 910 mg | 19% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.