Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders

This pecan-crusted chicken is a healthier version thanks to our trusted air fryer. Say bye-bye to heavy deep-fried chicken and say hello to crispy, golden brown, chicken tenders with a crunchy texture.

Making Pecan-Crusted Chicken at Home

Everyone loves a hot, crispy, breaded chicken meal. Fried chicken can be found in restaurants and even gas stations across the country. Usually, these indulgent entrees are a product of deep-frying or pan-frying. These forms of cooking come with a caloric bomb from the copious amounts of oils used. 

In true HrvL fashion, we wanted to lighten it up. We are big believers in enjoying fun foods that you like, and making them a little bit healthier by cooking them at home. You could prepare these pecan-crusted chicken tenders on a large baking sheet, oven-baked. We opted for our handy-dandy air fryer, which should be no surprise.

The Chicken

For this pecan-crusted chicken, we used chicken tenderloins. You could also use chicken breasts or chicken thighs, but we absolutely adore the classic chicken finger nostalgia. We also like the fact that chicken tenders are incredibly easy to prep. They can pretty much go straight from the package to the pecan crust mixture without any additional steps.

If you are using boneless chicken breasts, I recommend cutting them down into smaller-sized pieces or a thin chicken cutlet. The smaller pieces will allow them to cook quicker in the air fryer. You’ll ensure that the chicken is fully cooked through without burning the pecan crust mixture.

Our Inspiration

Our recent travels to Savannah, Georgia, inspired us to create this chicken. In Georgia, you can find pecans everywhere. It would be a shame to travel to Georgia and NOT get pecans. You could pick up whole pecans, pecan halves, pecan crumbs, or even ground pecans. 

We also happened to pick up some hot honey while down in Georgia, and boy did that take these chicken tenders over the edge! Just a tiny little drizzle of hot honey is all you need to give your crispy chicken a sweet and sassy zip of sticky goodness.

Serving Suggesion for Pecan Crusted Chicken

The tender chicken gives you a protein punch. You also get a dose of healthy fats from the pecans, and carbohydrates from the breadcrumbs and hot honey drizzle. Add a hefty mound of fibrous veggies on the side, and you have a complete meal.

Our favorite way to serve this pecan-crusted chicken is on top of our “Georgia Salad”. We made a bed of fresh greens and added feta cheese crumbles, shaved white onion, juicy peach slices, and a mound of micro greens. Just be careful with your cheese portions and your peach portions. Since the chicken already has fat and carbs in it, you will want to be considerate of toppings on your salad.

For more chicken recipes, check out our Shawarma Spiced Chicken, Lemon Herbed Chicken, and Sundried Tomato Chicken.

Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders

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Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Lunch

Cuisine American

Servings 4 Servings

Ingredients

  

• 1 pound chicken tenderloins
• 1 ½ tsp salt, divided
• 1 ½ tsp pepper, divided
• ¼ tsp cayenne powder
• ½ cup flour
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup breadcrumbs
• ½ cup pecans, finely chopped
• 1 tbl parsley, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dried tarragon
• 4 tsp hot scotch bonnet honey (optional)

Notes

1. Season the chicken tenders with about 1 tsp of salt, 1 tsp of pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper.
2. In a shallow bowl or walled container, mix the flour with about 1/8 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp of pepper.
3. In a shallow bowl or walled container, lightly whisk the eggs with about 1/8 tsp of salt and 1/8 tsp of pepper.
4. In a shallow bowl or walled container, mix the pecans with the breadcrumbs, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp of pepper, parsley, and tarragon.
5. Take one chicken tender and dredge in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.  Then, dip in the egg mixture, letting the excess drip off.  Finally, dredge in the pecan breadcrumb mixture to ensure fully coated.  Place the breaded chicken tender on a clean, dry, plate. Repeat the process for all chicken tenders.
6. Place the breaded chicken tenders in a single layer in your air fryer basket.  Do not overcrowd the basket.  Spritz the top of the chicken with avocado spray or olive oil spray. Cook at 380 degrees for 15 minutes.
7. Top each serving with one teaspoon of hot honey just before eating (optional)

Keyword Air Fryer, Chicken, Pecan