Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Wattleseed and Lemon Asparagus

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Tender chicken breasts crusted with ground macadamia nuts and wattleseed, paired with lemon-sautéed asparagus for a bright, nutty Australian-inspired meal. This australian-inspired chicken ready in about 40 minutes pairs breasts (6 oz each) chicken breasts, finely chopped macadamia nuts, ground wattleseed for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 420 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 4 Australian cuisine 420 cal/serving
Plan a meal with the AI → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Bakeware & baking tools → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Season 4 chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper. Place 1/2 cup all-purpose flour in a shallow dish, 2 beaten eggs in another, and mix 1 cup finely chopped macadamia nuts with 2 tsp ground wattleseed in a third.
  2. Step 2: Dredge each chicken breast first in flour, then dip into eggs, and finally press into the macadamia-wattleseed mixture, coating evenly.
  3. Step 3: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the crusted chicken breasts and cook for 3 minutes per side until golden.
  4. Step 4: Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake the chicken for 12-15 minutes until cooked through.
  5. Step 5: While chicken bakes, heat remaining 1 tbsp olive oil in a separate pan over medium heat. Add 1 minced garlic clove and 1 lb trimmed asparagus, sautéing for 5-6 minutes until tender-crisp.
  6. Step 6: Stir in 1 tsp lemon zest and 2 tbsp lemon juice to the asparagus, tossing to coat.
  7. Step 7: Serve the macadamia-crusted chicken with the lemon asparagus on the side.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Wattleseed and Lemon Asparagus take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Wattleseed and Lemon Asparagus?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep finely chopped macadamia nuts from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Wattleseed and Lemon Asparagus?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Wattleseed and Lemon Asparagus for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Macadamia-Crusted Chicken with Wattleseed and Lemon Asparagus?

Australian chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

Related recipes