Looking for the perfect appetizer to serve for your Super Bowl watch party? These Baked Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders are a delicious (and nutritious) twist on the traditional favorite.
The pecans add rich flavor and extra crunch. Simple to make, these will be popular with those rooting for either team!
You can use a variety of dipping sauces or even create a dipping sauce side bar with several varieties for guests to choose from: buttermilk, Dijon mustard, Buffalo, ranch – you name it! You’ll find a recipe for Ranch Dressing below, but don’t stop there, feel free to experiment. —Editor
Recipe courtesy of American Pecans.
Ingredients
- 1-1/2 to 2 pounds chicken breast tenders or chicken strips
- 2 cups raw pecan halves or pieces
- 1 cup panko (or gluten free bread crumbs)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
- 1 teaspon salt
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (or gluten free flour blend)
- 3 large eggs
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
Preparation
- 1 Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- 2 In a food processor, pulse pecans until fine as breadcrumbs. Mix pecans along with panko, garlic powder, cayenne and salt in a shallow bowl.
- 3 In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. And finally, in a third shallow bowl add flour.
- 4 Lightly season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Working with one chicken tender at a time, dip in eggs, flour, eggs 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.
- 5 Place chicken on center rack and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
- 6 While chicken is baking prepare buttermilk ranch dressing by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and whisking until smooth.
- 7 Serve pecan-crusted chicken tenders warm. If desired, pair with with buttermilk ranch dip.
Comments