Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders (Print Version)

Golden chicken tenders with a crunchy pecan coating bring nutty flavor and crisp texture in every bite.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1 lb chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

→ Pecan Coating

02 - 1 cup pecan halves or pieces
03 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
04 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
05 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
06 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
07 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Breading Station

08 - 2 large eggs
09 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

→ For Baking (Optional)

10 - Cooking spray or 2 tablespoons olive oil

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
02 - Pulse pecans in a food processor until finely chopped. Transfer to a shallow bowl and mix with panko, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.
03 - Whisk eggs and Dijon mustard together in a separate bowl.
04 - Pat chicken tenders dry with paper towels.
05 - Dip each chicken strip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off, then coat thoroughly in the pecan mixture, pressing gently to adhere.
06 - Place coated chicken tenders in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Lightly spray with cooking spray or drizzle with olive oil to enhance crispiness.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until coating is golden brown and chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
08 - Serve immediately with your preferred dipping sauce.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • Delightful crunch from pecan crust
  • Easy and quick to prepare
02 -
  • Use gluten-free panko or crushed rice crackers for a gluten-free version
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds for a different flavor
03 -
  • Don't over-process the pecans to avoid a paste texture
  • Press coating firmly onto chicken to ensure it sticks during baking
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