Almond-Crusted Chicken Bites with Honey-Mustard Dip

These Almond-Crusted Chicken Bites With Honey-Mustard Dip are perfect for kid-friendly dinners and party appetizers!

As a dad of three, I’m no stranger to chicken nuggets. And hey, I was a kid once, too! Back in the 90s, those frozen dinners by Kid Cuisine were all the rage at my elementary school. Every once in a while, my mom would give in to my incessant begging and buy my favorite meal—the All-Star Chicken Breast Nuggets. It came with mac and cheese, corn, and chocolate pudding. On those days, I was the envy of my lunch table.

The thing is, I’m not as generous as my mom. Oh, I let my kids splurge on junk food every now and again. Except, like most of you parents out there, I’m ever aware of all the additives, salt, and sugar the food industry injects into everything we eat. So when it comes to lunchtime? Sorry, kiddos. You’re getting the good stuff, like these almond-crusted chicken bites. And guess what? My kids love it. 

And why wouldn’t they? These bites are everything you love about crispy chicken. But instead of breadcrumbs, I use crushed smokehouse almonds. They create a crunchy, smoky coating that packs way more punch. Also, this baked take gives you all the crunch without the grease. Pair them with a creamy honey-mustard dip, and you’ve got yourself a crowd-pleaser that works for snacks, appetizers, or even dinner. All this to say, I think you can feel good about serving them to your kids while sneaking an extra bite (or ten) for yourself.

Are Almond-Crusted Chicken Bites Healthy?

Um—yeah! Almonds bring healthy fats, fiber, and a decent dose of protein to the table, so they’re way more wholesome than standard store-bought breadcrumbs. Chicken breast keeps things lean, and since you’re baking these, you don’t have all that excess oil to worry about. However, if you’re watching your sodium intake, you can trade the saltier smokehouse almonds for plain roasted almonds instead. You can always add your own salt-free smoky mix to the ground almonds.

Food Processor vs Blender: Which One Should You Use?

I strongly insist on using a food processor. It’s your best bet for this particular recipe. For one thing, a food processor is able to pulse almonds into small chunks without pulverizing them. The control over the texture is key here—you want small pieces, not almond flour!

What if you only have a blender? It can work in a pinch. However, be forewarned! Blenders are notorious for overprocessing ingredients. You’ll need to pulse in short bursts and check the texture often. Unlike food processors, blenders aren’t as forgiving, but with a little extra care, you can still make it work.

Serving Suggestions

When I’m making these chicken bites for my kids, I like to serve them with healthy but fun sides like Baked French Fries and Cinnamon Applesauce. For the adults at the table, pair the bites with a healthy Kale Caesar Salad and Butternut Squash Mac And Cheese—it’s a grown-up take on a kid classic!

They’re also great as part of an appetizer board—think dips, blanched veggies, and maybe some Stuffed Mushrooms on the side.

Recipe