5 Unique Dinner Recipes with Pecans
When people think of pecan recipes, they generally think of desserts or snack foods. Pecans, however, can add a buttery crunch to any meal whether it’s lunch or dinner.
If you have yet to come across a decent recipe then take a look at the following list. Imagine a smooth crunch of rich flavor combined with your favorite dishes. These are some of the most intriguing and delicious dinner choices that include pecans.
Sweet & Spicy Butter Pecan Chicken
Ingredients:
1-1 ½ pounds of diced chicken
1 sweet onion (finely chopped)
½ cup of chopped green onions
2 teaspoons of salt
Pinch of black pepper
1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper
½ cup of chopped pecans
¼ cup of dark brown sugar
½ cup of butter
1 tablespoon of vegetable oil (or your favorite oil - e.g. olive, canola, coconut oil)
½ cup of water
Directions:
In a deep skillet, heat oil and melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium to high heat. Add finely chopped onions. Once onions are soft, add chicken, water, salt, and peppers. Cover and let cook for 10-15 minutes.
Once water is boiling, add the rest of the butter, brown sugar, and pecans. Reduce heat to low and slowly mix everything until the butter is melted and the sugar is well-combined.
Increase to medium heat, cover, and let it cook for 5-10 minutes, or until the chicken is fully cooked.
Use a soup ladle to serve. This is perfect over rice or mashed potatoes. Don’t forget to drizzle sweet & spicy pecan sauce over the plate. Enjoy!
Pecan Crusted Sweet Chili Baked Chicken
Ingredients:
4x6 ounce chicken breasts
1 cup of chopped pecans
¼ cup of pecan meal
¼ cup of bread crumbs
½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
½ teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
¼ cup of melted butter
1 cup of sweet chili sauce
2 tablespoons of olive oil (or your choice of oil)
Directions:
Season the chicken with some of the salt, cayenne, garlic, and onion powder. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Grease a baking pan.
In a large, shallow bowl combine the chopped pecans, pecan meal, bread crumbs, and rest of the spices. In a separate bowl, blend the butter and sweet chili sauce.
Coat the chicken in the sweet chili mixture then drop into the crumb mixture and evenly coat both sides.
Place breaded chicken on a baking pan and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 18-21 minutes, or until chicken is fully cooked (the meat thermometer reads 165 degrees F or higher).
This is great with mashed potatoes. Try substituting with chicken strips and pair it with sweet potato fries for a dinner the kids will love!
Pecan Crusted Fish Fillet
Ingredients:
4x8 ounce cuts of fish fillet (1 pound)
½ cup of pecan meal
1 cup of finely chopped pecans
2 teaspoons of lemon & pepper
1 teaspoon of salt
1 large egg
1 tablespoon of milk
2 tablespoons of olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
Directions:
Season fish fillets with some salt, lemon & pepper spice. Mix the finely chopped pecans, pecan meal, and rest of the spices in a large, shallow bowl. In a separate bowl, blend the milk and egg.
Coat fillets in egg mixture, then drop into pecan crumb mixture and evenly coat both sides. Gently press the dry mixture into the fish fillets.
Use a non-stick or well-greased skillet and heat your oil over medium-high heat. Add the fillets and reduce to low-medium heat. Evenly fry both sides, flipping every 3-4 minutes. The total cooking time is around 8-11 minutes or until fish is browned and fully cooked. Ready to serve.
This recipe pairs well with your favorite salad. For a splash of tangy zing, squeeze a couple of lemon wedges over the fillets. Bon Appetit!
Sweet & Savory Pecan Steak
Ingredients:
8 ounces (½ pound) of sliced steak
1 chopped yellow onion
½ cup of chopped green onions
A pinch of salt
1 teaspoon of paprika
½ cup of chopped pecans
¼ cup of light brown sugar
¾ cup of butter
½ cup of soy sauce
½ cup of water
Directions:
In a deep skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Mix in onions, salt and paprika. Once onions are soft, add steak, soy sauce, and water.
Once water is boiling, add brown sugar and chopped pecans. Slowly stir until sugar is well-combined.
Increase to medium heat, cover, and let it cook for 10-15 minutes. Stir every 3-4 minutes.
When the steak is fully cooked it’s ready to serve.
This is delicious over steamed broccoli and rice!
Pecan Pesto Spaghetti
Ingredients:
1 pound of Angel Hair pasta
¾ cup of toasted pecan halves
½ cup of Italian seasoning
½ teaspoon of red chili flakes
2 cups of fresh parsley
1 cup of fresh basil without stems
2 tablespoons of garlic powder
1 tablespoon of onion powder
1 teaspoon of salt
8 ounces of grated parmesan cheese
4 ounces of grated mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
¼ cup of butter
1 cup of olive oil (or your preferred cooking oil)
Topping:
½ cup of toasted pecans
1 cup of breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon of garlic
1 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
Directions:
Cook pasta over medium heat in salted water. Once it’s done, set aside 2 cups of the cooking water and drain the rest. Mix in the butter, until it’s melted and pasta is well-coated. Be sure to cover the pasta and keep it hot.
For the pesto blend the olive oil, cheese, pecans, lemon juice, salt, red chili flakes, Italian seasoning, garlic and onion powder, fresh parsley and basil. Process or blend until it has a smooth consistency.
Slowly mix the pesto with the hot pasta until everything is coated. Stir in some of the cooking water until the consistency of the sauce is how you like it.
For the topping, blend the pecans, breadcrumbs, and garlic in a food processor or blender.
Sprinkle your desired amount of crumb toppings along with a generous amount of shredded parmesan cheese. Pasta night never tasted so good!
If you love these unique pecan dinner recipes, be sure to keep enough pecans in stock. Order your bulk pecans today.
