Contest Winning Pecan Crusted Chicken Recipes

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place a rack in the center of the oven and preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
• Lightly beat the eggs in a wide, shallow bowl or pie plate and set aside.
• In a food processor, pulse the pecans until they form fine crumbs (but don't over-process or they will turn into pecan butter). Place the mixture in a large, sturdy ziptop bag.
• To the bag, add the breadcrumbs, basil, salt, and pepper. Seal the top and shake to combine.
• Place the chicken on a cutting board and cover it with a large sheet of plastic wrap. With a meat tenderizer, rolling pin, or your fist, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness. They need not be super thin-just flatten the middle so that the chicken is relatively flat and will bake more evenly.
• Working one chicken breast at a time, dip the chicken in the egg wash, then place in the ziptop bag and shake to coat with the pecan mixture. Gently press the pecan mixture so that it sticks to the chicken, then lay the chicken on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining chicken breasts.
• Drizzle the olive oil over the top of the chicken. Bake until the chicken reaches 160 to 165 degrees F on an instant read thermometer, about 15 to 20 minutes. Remove to a plate and let rest 5 minutes. Chicken is considered cooked at 165 degrees F, but I like to remove mine several degrees early and let the carryover cooking to finish the rest (this ensures the chicken breast is juicy and does not overcook).
• While the chicken bakes, prepare the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the Greek yogurt, both mustards, honey, salt, and cayenne. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
• Enjoy the pecan crusted chicken hot, with the dipping sauce.

PECAN-CRUSTED CHICKEN

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.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

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 CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine the pecans, bread crumbs, thyme, paprika and salt. Place Dijon mustard in another shallow bowl. Coat chicken with mustard, then roll in pecan mixture. , Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 30-35 minutes or until juices run clear. In a small bowl, combine sauce ingredients; serve with chicken.

PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN

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.