Hazelnut-Crusted Chicken with Raspberry Sauce

HAZELNUT-CRUSTED CHICKEN WITH RASPBERRY SAUCE

Raspberry Sauce:

3/4 cup lightly packed fresh raspberries (about 3 1/2 ounces)

3 Tbls white wine vinegar

1 Tbls sugar

1/2 cup safflower oil

3 to 6 tsps water (optional)

Chicken:

1 cup chopped hazelnuts (about 4 1/2 ounces)

3/4 cup panko crumbs

1 Tbls plus 1 tsp coarse kosher salt ( I did not use this much)

3 tsp coarsely ground black pepper, divided

1/3 cup honey mustard

1/3 cup finely chopped fresh mint leaves

1/4 cup mayonnaise

4 large skinless boneless chicken breasts, butterflied (I cut them all the way through to make 2 thin breasts out of 1)

4 Tbls unsalted butter

3 Tbls peanut oil

4 cups baby salad greens

1/2 cup fresh raspberries

Puree raspberries, white wine vingar, and sugar in blender until smooth. With blender running, gradually add safflower oil. Add water by teaspoonfuls as needed to thin to desired consistency. Season raspberry sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix hazelnuts, panko, 1 tablespoon coarse salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper in shallow bowl. Mix honey mustard, mint leaves, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, remaining 1 teaspoon coarse salt, and remaining 1 teaspoon pepper in bowl. Add chicken; coat.

Dip chicken pieces, 1 at a time, into crumb-nut mixture, coating both sides and pressing to adhere. Transfer coated chicken pieces to baking sheet.

Divide equal amounts of butter and peanut oil between 2 large nonstick skillets; heat over medium-high heat. Add 2 chicken pieces (in my case 4) to each skillet; reduce heat to medium and cook until chicken is light brown, about 4 minutes per side. Place chicken on rimmed baking sheet; transfer to oven. Roast chicken until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

Divide salad greens among 4 plates; top with chicken. Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve raspberry sauce alongside.