## Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders: A Southern Delight with a Crunchy Twist ##
In the realm of Southern cooking, few dishes hold a more cherished place than pecan-crusted chicken tenders. This culinary gem combines the succulent juiciness of tender chicken with a crispy, nutty coating of pecans, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're hosting a casual gathering or seeking a delectable weeknight meal, these chicken tenders, accompanied by three complementary sauces, are sure to steal the show.
1. **Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders:** The star of the show, these tenders are coated in a delightful pecan crust that adds a delightful crunch and a touch of Southern charm to every bite.
2. **Honey Mustard Sauce:** This classic sauce, with its sweet and tangy flavor profile, perfectly complements the savory chicken tenders, creating a harmonious balance of flavors.
3. **Ranch Dressing:** The quintessential dipping sauce for chicken, ranch dressing adds a creamy, herbaceous touch to the tenders, enhancing their overall appeal.
4. **BBQ Sauce:** For those who love a smoky, tangy kick, BBQ sauce is the perfect choice. Its bold flavors add a layer of complexity to the chicken tenders, making them irresistible.
With its combination of crispy texture, delectable flavors, and versatile sauces, this pecan-crusted chicken tender recipe is a true crowd-pleaser. It's a culinary journey that will transport you to the heart of Southern cooking, leaving you craving more with every bite.
PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS WITH HONEY MUSTARD SAUCE
A gourmet twist on chicken tenders that appeals to kids and adults alike.
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 40m
Yield 4-6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place the pecans in the bowl of a food processor and pulse until finely chopped (go easy -- you don't want a paste). Add the panko, 1¼ teaspoon salt, sugar and cayenne pepper and pulse a few more times to combine. The panko should be broken down slightly but not finely ground.
- Set up three large shallow dishes in an assembly line. Place the flour in the first dish; beat the eggs in the second dish; and place the pecan/panko mixture in the third dish. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil to hold the breaded tenders, and place at the end of the assembly line.
- Season the chicken tenders with the remaining teaspoon salt. Working with one tender at a time: dredge first in the flour, shaking off any excess; dip in the egg to coat evenly; and then dredge in the pecan/panko mixture, pressing down to make the coating adhere. Try to use one hand for the dry breading (the flour and pecan/panko mixture) and one hand for the wet (the eggs) -- otherwise, your hands will end up a mess. Place the breaded tender on the prepared baking sheet and repeat with remaining tenders.
- Heat about ⅛-inch of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. While the oil heats up, line another baking sheet with paper towels (this is for the finished tenders - the paper towels will absorb any excess oil).
- When the oil starts to shimmer, add half of the chicken tenders and cook for a few minutes on the first side until golden brown. Using tongs, flip the tenders and cook until the second side is also golden, 1-2 minutes Adjust the heat as necessary so the tenders don't burn. Transfer the cooked tenders to the prepared baking sheet. Discard the oil, wipe the skillet clean with a paper towel, and then repeat with the remaining tenders.
- Make the sauce by combining the mayonnaise, mustard and honey in a small bowl. Serve alongside chicken tenders.
- Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked chicken tenders can be frozen for up to 3 months. No need to defrost; put the chicken tenders on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet and bake in a 350°F oven until heated through and crisp, about 25 minutes. (Flip the chicken halfway through baking.)
Nutrition Facts :
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 CRUSTED CHICKEN TENDERS AND SALAD WITH TANGY MAPLE DRESSING
Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches of oil over medium high heat. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Set out 3 shallow dishes. Place flour in 1 dish, eggs beaten with water or milk in a second. In the third dish, combine bread crumbs with ground pecans, nutmeg and orange zest. Coat tenders in batches in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture. Fry tenders in small batches 6 to 7 minutes. Drain tenders on paper towels.
- Combine maple syrup, barbecue sauce and orange juice in a bowl. Whisk in oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Combine romaine, radishes and scallions in a large salad bowl or on a serving platter. Toss with 3/4 of the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top salad with pecan crusted chicken tenders and drizzle remaining dressing over top.
- Beverage suggestion: serve cran-raspberry apple juice over ice and top with a splash of soda water.
PECAN CRUSTED CHICKEN
This chicken is nice and crunchy with just a tiny little bite from the cayenne. Enjoy it alone, topped with honey-mustard dressing or atop a salad (See Recipe #145067). Cooking time includes the 20-30 minutes chicken dries between breading and cooking. This recipe is from Cuisine at Home magazine.
Provided by SharleneW
Categories Chicken Breast
Time 55m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Tips:
- Use a meat mallet to tenderize the chicken tenders. This will help them cook evenly and stay juicy. If you don't have a meat mallet, you can use a rolling pin.
- Make sure the chicken tenders are evenly coated in the pecan crust before baking. This will help them get nice and crispy.
- Bake the chicken tenders at a high temperature for a short time. This will help them get crispy on the outside and stay juicy on the inside.
- Serve the chicken tenders with your favorite dipping sauce. Some good options include honey mustard, ranch dressing, or barbecue sauce.
Conclusion:
Pecan-crusted chicken tenders are a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. They are perfect for a party or a weeknight meal. The pecan crust is crispy and flavorful, and the chicken is tender and juicy. Serve them with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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