Crumble Chicken Recipe: 07 Best Cooking tips

The crumble Chicken Recipe is a classic American dish great for dinner parties, family dinners, or a simple weeknight meal. Crumble Chicken Recipe takes less than an hour to prepare from start to finish, and the result is loaded with juicy flavors.

The best part about this dish: it’s so easy to make! Crumble Chicken Recipe has been passed down through my family; my father made it for all of us, and now I am making it for my husband, which makes it a true family tradition!

Why I Love This Recipe?

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • The sauce ingredients are staples in my kitchen; I can always find them on hand to make this dish.
  • My family loves this recipe! And I’ve passed it down to my husband and kids!
  • It’s a great way to incorporate tofu into the meal without making it part of the recipe.
  • This recipe is perfect for serving over rice or quinoa!
  • It’s a one-pot meal, which I love. And what I love more is that you can substitute the main protein ingredient with your choice of meat, and the dish still tastes great!
  • To make this recipe vegetarian, you must swap the chicken for tofu. You can also use paneer cheese, and various other substitutions will alter this dish’s texture and taste.
Crumble Chicken Recipe
Crumble Chicken Recipe

How to Make Crumble Chicken Recipe?

Necessary Ingredients

  • 1.5-pound chicken breasts or thighs
  • 2 Tablespoons of olive oil
  • One package of tofu crumbled
  • ½ cup of red onion, chopped
  • Two cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 cups of mushrooms, sliced (you can also use broccoli)
  • 1 cup of carrots, diced small
  • 3 cups of baby spinach leaves or chopped spinach leaves
  • One teaspoon of curry powder
  • ¼ – ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional) 
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • One pack of puff pastry, thawed

Necessary Equipment

  • A frying pan
  • Kettle of hot water
  • 10” springform pan (optional)
  • A large bowl
  • A large spoon
  • A small bowl

Preparation Instructions

Step 1.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.

Step 2.

First, cut the chicken into small pieces and season them with salt and pepper. Place chicken in a bowl with olive oil, salt, and pepper; mix to coat. Then place 1 Tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat for about 1 minute, then add the chicken; brown it for about 2-3 minutes per side. Set aside on a plate browned side up.

Step 3.

Place the crumbled tofu in a bowl with two cloves of minced garlic, salt, and pepper; mix to coat. Then place one teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan on medium-high heat for about a minute, then add tofu; fry for about 3 minutes or until tofu is lightly browned. Transfer tofu to a plate brown side up.

Step 4.

Next, add the carrots to the frying pan for about 2 minutes until it softens. Then add one teaspoon of olive oil, mushrooms, and ½ cup of chopped red onion.

Sauter for about 1-2 minutes until mushrooms release their water and onions soften. Add carrot mixture and spinach leaves to the pan, and stir well. Sprinkle with curry powder and red pepper flakes.

Step 5.

Add chicken and tofu to the pan, and stir well. Pour hot water into the bottom of a large bowl; add 1 ½ Tablespoon of flour and whisk until it begins to form a roux. Heat the roux in a small saucepan over medium heat for 3-4 minutes; it should be thick and sticky. Add ½ cup of chicken broth, and whisk again until smooth.

Step 6.

Pour the chicken mixture into the pan with the vegetable mixture and stir well. Pour the roux mixture from the frying pan into the bottom of a 10” round springform pan (optional).

Step 7.

Then, pour about 2 cups of vegetable/veggie mixture and chicken into the pan around ½ inch up the sides of the springform pan. Then carefully pour the remaining 1 ½ cups of vegetable/veggie mixture on top. Arrange and press down firmly, making sure that everything is even. 

Step 8.

Cover the pan loosely with a piece of tin foil, place into the oven and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil, then bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the sides are slightly brown.

Step 9.  

Once finished, remove from the oven, let cool for a few minutes, then use a spatula to carefully transfer meatloaf onto a dish.

Tips:

  • You can make this dish using chicken breast strips instead of chicken tenders (if you prefer). I used chicken tenders for this recipe, and I think the result was excellent!
  • You can use frozen mixed veggies to make this dish; thaw and squeeze out all the liquid so it will be nice and moist. For example, carrots, peas, corn, green beans, etc.
  • You can use leafy greens if you don’t have any spinach.
  • Use fresh herbs to garnish your dish! I love fresh thyme and basil, but any fresh herb will do.
  • Add chopped nuts on top of the mixture for an added protein boost before baking it in the oven.
  • To freeze leftovers, separate each piece of puff pastry, then stack them together tightly with parchment paper between each sheet of pastry to prevent it from sticking together. Then place it into a freezer-safe container or bag to seal in all the flavors and aromas!

Nutrition Facts Of Crumble Chicken Recipe

Amount per serving (1 serving)

Nutrition data is approximate and is for information only.   Nutrition Facts may not be exact because the recipe has been altered and re-tested several times to ensure its accuracy

07 Best Cooking tips For Crumble Chicken Recipe

1. When browning the chicken, you can use any thick bottom pan. I used a 10’’ springform pan, but you can also use a 9’’ square cake pan.

2. Save time while cooking by using frozen mixed vegetables instead of fresh ones! I used frozen mixed vegetables, and they were great!

3. This dish is best served with a side dish (like crusty bread and butter).

4. I like to use puff pastry for this recipe because it gives the dish a nice golden crust, but you can also use homemade pastry dough or phyllo dough.

5. Make smaller portions using mini springform pans if you prefer. One puff pastry sheet will give you 4-6 mini pies.

6. You can also use canned spinach instead of fresh spinach. I did this, and it worked out just fine; you might have to decrease the amount of spinach.

7. If you don’t have fresh herbs, you can substitute them with dried basil or thyme leaves.

05 Amazing Health Benefits of Crumble Chicken Recipe

1. Healthy fats: olive oil and avocado oil are good fats that help protect against heart disease and reduce the risk of stroke and cancer.

2. Protein: chicken is a great source of protein that helps build muscle and boost metabolism (and keeps you fuller for longer).

3. Fibre: avocados, carrots, spinach, and onions are all rich sources of fiber that promote healthy digestion and help lower cholesterol!

4. Amino acids: natural foods like chicken, eggs, mushrooms, and avocados are packed with amino acids, which promote healthy skin and hair, as well as healthy nails.

5. Antioxidants: antioxidants in curries help protect your body from both free radicals produced in the body from exercise and daily living activities and toxins in the environment

How Long Will Crumble Chicken Recipe Take To Prepare?

  • Preparation time: 20 minutes (depending on which cut chicken you are using)
  • Cooking time: 30 minutes
  • Total time: 50 minutes
  • Serving: 5

How do you get chicken crumbs to stick?

I like to make my chicken in the Instant Pot, but you can also use a slow or pressure cooker. One of the biggest challenges when cooking chicken breasts is that they can easily overcook and dry out fast. You’ll want to ensure you have a broiler pan or a large baking sheet to arrange the chicken in and keep it in an oven-safe dish.

What are fully cooked chicken crumbles?

Fully cooked chicken crumbles are cooked until they have your desired texture. It can be browned, crispy, tender, and moist; it all depends on the cut of chicken you are using.

What has smothered chicken made?

Smothered chicken is made of sautéed onions, smothered with tomato sauce, and covered with a slice of cheese in the oven. Crumble Chicken Recipe is a popular Recipe in the south. You can also use white onion, green bell pepper, and mushrooms. I love this dish because of the gravy and cheese on top!

What is a chicken salad made of?

Chicken salad is an easy way to use up leftover chicken. In this recipe, we will use non-fat Greek yogurt, celery, onions, garlic, mayonnaise, and mustard to create a delicious creamy sauce to toss with shredded chicken. You can also substitute chicken with poached salmon or turkey if you prefer.

Do You Dip chicken in egg or milk first?

Do not use milk or dairy products to dip chicken in, as it will make the chicken soggy. Use some beaten eggs and a little bit of water or buttermilk instead.

When frying chicken, do you dip it in egg or flour first?

Dipping your chicken in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs is a good rule of thumb. It helps ensure it’s adequately coated for a thick and flavorful crust. Another trick is to let the chicken sit in a mixture of flour, egg, and breadcrumbs so that the breading forms around it and sticks to the chicken evenly.

Is It Safe For Pregnant And Nursing Women?

Yes, Crumble Chicken Recipe safe to eat during pregnancy and nursing. However, before consuming any new food, you should always speak with your doctor.

Crumble Chicken Recipe

How To Store and Freeze it?

You can store chicken in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze it (up to 3 months). Let the cooked chicken cool down to freeze, then transfer it into a freezer-safe container. Then, when you want to use the chicken, let it thaw overnight in the fridge and heat it up in a microwave or stove!

Bottom Line

Crumble Chicken Recipe is a delicious and easy chicken breast recipe that is extremely versatile. You can make the chicken in different ways, flavors, and textures. You will never be bored with this recipe again!

Hope you enjoyed this recipe for Crumble Chicken! If you make this recipe, please comment below to let me know how it turned out for you; and don’t forget to PIN IT on your favorite food board on Pinterest!