Best 6 Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders Recipes

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Are you craving a crispy, juicy, and irresistibly flavorful chicken dish? Look no further than pecan crusted chicken tenders! This delightful recipe combines the salty crunch of pecans, the savory richness of herbs, and the tender, succulent texture of chicken tenders to create a culinary masterpiece. In this article, we will explore the art of creating the perfect pecan crusted chicken tenders, guiding you through every step of the process. From selecting the freshest ingredients to mastering the cooking techniques, we will unveil the secrets behind this delectable dish. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, this article will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to impress your friends and family with this mouthwatering creation. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey as we uncover the secrets of pecan crusted chicken tenders.

Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS WITH HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE



Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders with Honey Mustard Sauce image

A gourmet twist on chicken tenders that appeals to kids and adults alike.

Provided by Jennifer Segal

Categories     Dinner

Time 40m

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 12

1¼ cups pecans
1¼ cups panko bread crumbs
2¼ teaspoons salt, divided
1 tablespoon sugar
Heaping ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 pounds chicken tenderloins
2 eggs
½ cup all purpose flour
Vegetable oil, for cooking
½ cup mayonnaise, best quality such as Hellmann's
½ cup whole grain mustard
¼ cup honey

Steps:

  • Place the pecans in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (go easy -- you don't want a paste). Add the panko, 1¼ teaspoon salt, sugar and cayenne pepper and pulse a few more times to combine. The panko should be broken down slightly but not finely ground.
  • Set up three large shallow dishes in an assembly line. Place the flour in the first dish; beat the eggs in the second dish; and place the pecan/panko mixture in the third dish. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to hold the breaded tenders, and place at the end of the assembly line.
  • Season the chicken tenders with the remaining teaspoon salt. Working with one tender at a time: dredge first in the flour, shaking off any excess; dip in the egg to coat evenly; and then dredge in the pecan/panko mixture, pressing down to make the coating adhere. Try to use one hand for the dry breading (the flour and pecan/panko mixture) and one hand for the wet (the eggs) -- otherwise, your hands will end up a mess. Place the breaded tender on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining tenders.
  • Heat about ⅛-inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil heats up, line another baking sheet with paper towels (this is for the finished tenders - the paper towels will absorb any excess oil).
  • When the oil starts to shimmer, add half of the chicken tenders and cook for a few minutes on the first side until golden brown. Using tongs, flip the tenders and cook until the second side is also golden, 1-2 minutes Adjust the heat as necessary so the tenders don't burn. Transfer the cooked tenders to the prepared baking sheet. Discard the oil, wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel, and then repeat with the remaining tenders.
  • Make the sauce by combining the mayonnaise, mustard and honey in a small bowl. Serve alongside chicken tenders.
  • Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked chicken tenders can be frozen for up to 3 months. No need to defrost; put the chicken tenders on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven until heated through and crisp, about 25 minutes. (Flip the chicken halfway through baking.)

Nutrition Facts :

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN



Pecan Crusted Chicken image

Provided by Trisha Yearwood

Categories     main-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1/2 cup ketchup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 teaspoons sriracha
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon light brown sugar
Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking pan
1 cup pecans
2 cups panko breadcrumbs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 large eggs
2 small boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), halved lengthwise
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs), halved
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Steps:

  • For the ketchup: Stir together the ketchup, vinegar, sriracha, Worcestershire and brown sugar in a small bowl.
  • For the chicken: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper and spray it generously with cooking spray.
  • Pulse the pecans in a food processor until finely ground. Add the panko and pulse until just combined. Pour into a wide, shallow bowl.
  • Put the flour in a wide, shallow bowl and whisk in the garlic powder, paprika, cayenne, 1 tablespoon salt and a pinch of pepper.
  • Whisk the eggs in another shallow bowl.
  • Working with one piece of chicken at a time, dredge in the seasoned flour, then shake off the excess. Dip in the egg to coat and let the excess drip off. Add to the pecan panko mixture and turn to coat, lightly pressing so that the crumbs adhere. Transfer to the prepared baking pan.
  • Spray the chicken generously with cooking spray and bake until golden brown all over and just cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer to a platter and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with the spicy, tangy ketchup on the side.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS AND SALAD WITH TANGY MAPLE DRESSING



Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders and Salad with Tangy Maple Dressing image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 30m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

Vegetable oil, for frying
1 1/3 to 2 pounds chicken tenders
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten with a splash of milk or water
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 cup pecans, processed in food processor to finely chop
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated or ground
1 orange, zested
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup tangy barbecue sauce
1 navel orange, juiced
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped
6 radishes, thinly sliced
6 scallions, trimmed and chopped on an angle

Steps:

  • Heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches of oil over medium high heat. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Set out 3 shallow dishes. Place flour in 1 dish, eggs beaten with water or milk in a second. In the third dish, combine bread crumbs with ground pecans, nutmeg and orange zest. Coat tenders in batches in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture. Fry tenders in small batches 6 to 7 minutes. Drain tenders on paper towels.
  • Combine maple syrup, barbecue sauce and orange juice in a bowl. Whisk in oil and season with salt and pepper.
  • Combine romaine, radishes and scallions in a large salad bowl or on a serving platter. Toss with 3/4 of the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top salad with pecan crusted chicken tenders and drizzle remaining dressing over top.
  • Beverage suggestion: serve cran-raspberry apple juice over ice and top with a splash of soda water.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN



Pecan Crusted Chicken image

This chicken is nice and crunchy with just a tiny little bite from the cayenne. Enjoy it alone, topped with honey-mustard dressing or atop a salad (See Recipe #145067). Cooking time includes the 20-30 minutes chicken dries between breading and cooking. This recipe is from Cuisine at Home magazine.

Provided by SharleneW

Categories     Chicken Breast

Time 55m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 -3 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (6-8 ounce)
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 lemon, juice of
1 cup coarse dry breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 lemon, zest of, minced
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
3 -4 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • Prepare chicken breasts into cutlets, cutting into thirds and gently pounding to an even thickness of 1/2 inch (easier and cleaner if done between two layers of plastic wrap).
  • Blend egg whites, cornstarch, and lemon juice with a fork in a wide, shallow dish; set aside.
  • Combine bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, zest, pecans, and seasonings in another wide shallow dish.
  • Crust chicken breasts by dipping both sides of prepared chicken into egg white mixture. Then applying crumbs to both sides, patting them on as much as possible. Transfer to a cookie rack to air-dry on both sides for 20-30 minutes. (This will set crust so it will stay on chicken and crisp up nicely).
  • Sauté chicken in oil in a large, nonstick, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat for about 3 minutes, or until golden brown and crisp on bottom. Turn carefully with a spatula and transfer the skillet to the oven to finish cooking. This should take about 8 more minutes. Don't overcook, you don't want it to dry out.

MARY'S PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN



Mary's Pecan Crusted Chicken image

Tired of plain old chicken, I put this together from ingredients I had on hand. With some say... garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry relish and a big salad... you can't miss. Enjoy !!

Provided by MaryLee

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Chicken     Chicken Breast Recipes     Pan-Fried

Time 30m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

2 eggs
¼ cup milk
½ cup all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon poultry seasoning
1 ½ tablespoons ground cinnamon
1 cup chopped pecans
1 pinch white sugar
salt to taste
ground black pepper to taste
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
2 tablespoons olive oil

Steps:

  • In a small bowl, mix the eggs with the milk. Put aside.
  • In a medium bowl, mix together flour, seasoning, cinnamon, pecans, sugar, and salt and pepper.
  • Dip the chicken in the egg mix, and press in the pecan mix.
  • Fry in hot olive oil until golden, about 5 minutes per side. Check to make sure pecans don't burn. Place on paper towel to drain.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 506.6 calories, Carbohydrate 20 g, Cholesterol 166.2 mg, Fat 33.1 g, Fiber 4.6 g, Protein 34.4 g, SaturatedFat 4.7 g, Sodium 250.1 mg, Sugar 2.4 g

PECAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN



Pecan-Crusted Chicken image

With its crispy pecan coating and creamy mustard sauce, this easy-to-prepare chicken can sure perk up a meal. Cayenne pepper puts a little zip into each bite, but I think my husband likes this dish just for the sauce. -Marjorie MacDonald Huntsville, Ontario

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Dinner

Time 25m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 15

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
3/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 large egg
4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
2 tablespoons canola oil
MUSTARD SAUCE:
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Pinch salt

Steps:

  • In a shallow bowl, combine the first seven ingredients. In another shallow bowl, beat the egg. Dip chicken in egg, then roll in pecan mixture. , In a large skillet, cook chicken in a oil for 15-20 minutes or until a thermometer reads 170°. In a small bowl, whisk the sauce ingredients. Serve with chicken.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 464 calories, Fat 33g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 146mg cholesterol, Sodium 580mg sodium, Carbohydrate 10g carbohydrate (3g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 32g protein.

Tips:

  • For a crispy crust, double coat the chicken tenders in the pecan mixture.
  • Use a shallow dish for dredging the chicken in the pecan mixture to ensure even coating.
  • If you don't have buttermilk, you can make your own by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
  • To make sure the chicken is cooked through, use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature has reached 165°F (74°C).
  • Serve the pecan-crusted chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce, such as honey mustard, ranch dressing, or barbecue sauce.

Conclusion:

Pecan-crusted chicken tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. With a crispy pecan crust and tender, juicy chicken, these chicken tenders are sure to be a hit with everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for something new and exciting to make for dinner, give this recipe a try!

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