Baked Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders
Baked pecan-crusted chicken tenders are a delicious (and nutritious) twist on a family favorite! Simple to make, this recipe will become a go-to weeknight family dinner dish. And serve alongside this buttermilk ranch dip if you’d like for even more flavor!
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw pecan halves or pecan pieces
- 1 1/2 to 2 pounds chicken breast tenders or chicken strips
- 1 cup panko (or gluten free bread crumbs)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free flour blend)
- Buttermilk Ranch Dip (optional)
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon parsley
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried dill
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a food processor, pulse pecans until fine as breadcrumbs. Mix pecans along with panko, garlic powder, cayenne and salt in a shallow bowl.
- In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. And finally, in a third shallow bowl add flour.
- Lightly season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Working with one chicken tender at a time, dip in eggs, flour and then pecan mixture. (be sure to press the pecan mixture onto the chicken to be sure it is completely coated.) Set chicken on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack or parchment paper. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Place chicken on center rack and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- While chicken is baking prepare buttermilk ranch dressing by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and whisking until smooth.
- Serve pecan-crusted chicken tenders warm. If desired, pair with with buttermilk ranch dip.
*Nutritional do not account for buttermilk ranch dip