Introducing the Pecan Crusted Chicken – a Nutty Take on a Traditional Favorite

Pecan crusted chicken is an incredibly flavorful and unique dish that will tantalize your taste buds. Not only is the combination of creamy, buttery pecans and lightly seasoned chicken a scrumptious experience, but the method of cooking them together gives it a delightful crunch that you won’t be able to resist!

As a child, one of my favorite meals was my grandmother’s version of Southern fried chicken. I was always mesmerized by the way the crispy golden coating clung to the juicy, fragrant pieces of chicken she’d lovingly prepared. My appreciation for traditional Southern cooking was what led me to discover pecan crusted chicken, a dish that captures many of the same flavors while offering a totally different experience.

Ingredients

For the Crust:

– 1 ½ cups of pecans, coarsely chopped
– ¼ cup of all-purpose flour
– ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
– ½ teaspoon of onion powder
– ½ teaspoon of paprika
– ½ cup of butter, melted

For the Chicken:

– 4 chicken breasts, pounded thin
– ¼ cup of buttermilk
– Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a shallow bowl, combine chopped pecans, all-purpose flour, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Mix until thoroughly combined.

Step 2

In another shallow bowl, pour buttermilk. Dip each chicken breast into buttermilk, making sure to coat it evenly. Then transfer to the pecan mixture, coat evenly, and transfer to a greased sheet pan.

Step 3

Once the chicken is on the sheet pan, drizzle the melted butter over all the chicken breasts. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the pecan crust is a beautiful golden brown.

Step 4

Once the chicken is done, rest for 5 minutes before serving for the best possible pecan-crusted experience. Enjoy!

Conclusion

My pecan crusted chicken is sure to please anyone looking for an easy, flavorful family dinner. The combination of its crunchy, toasty pecan crust and tender chicken is a match made in culinary heaven. Serve this dish with a side of mashed potatoes to really bring out the nutty flavors. With its roots in traditional Southern cooking and its nutty twist, pecan crusted chicken is sure to become a new family favorite. Try it today and experience something special!