Ingredients
Cooking spray
3 1/2 c. pecans, finely chopped
2 tbsp. butter, melted, divided
2 large eggs
2 tbsp. packed brown sugar
Zest of 1 lemon
1/2 tsp. ground cayenne (optional)
1 1/4 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast (about 2 large), cut into bite-sized pieces
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling
1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 tbsp. honey
1 tsp. lemon juice
Lemon wedges, for serving
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
Preparation
Step 1Preheat oven to 425°. Generously grease a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Step 2Place chopped pecans in a shallow bowl. In another shallow bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon melted butter, eggs, sugar, lemon zest, and cayenne. In a medium bowl, combine flour, salt, and black pepper.Step 3Toss chicken in flour mixture until evenly coated, then dip each chicken piece in egg mixture, letting excess drip off. Roll in pecans, firmly squeezing each piece to adhere pecans to chicken. Transfer to prepared baking sheet in an even single layer.Step 4Bake for 10 minutes, then gently brush remaining 1 tablespoon melted butter in a dabbing motion onto chicken. Return chicken to oven and continue baking until chicken is cooked through and pecans are toasty, 5 minutes more. Season immediately with more salt while hot.Step 5Meanwhile, make honey mustard: In a small bowl, stir to combine mustard, honey, and lemon juice.Step 6Garnish with parsley, and serve with honey mustard and lemon wedges.
When it comes to nuts, pecans are in a class of their own. With intense notes of floral aroma that turn so sweet, woodsy, and fragrant once toasted, they are perfect in desserts and savory applications alike, from slow cooker candied pecans to peach & burrata caprese. If you’re looking to incorporate more fiber, protein, calcium, and iron into your diet, these butter pecan chicken bites are a great place to start. A tip: Get a range of fineness in your chopped pecans. You can use your food processor and pulse until there’s a good mixture of powder-like pecans and crushed pecans. Bigger pieces provide crunch and texture; finer pieces provide better coverage for an even coating on your chicken bites. Don’t skip out on the dipping sauce if you’re a fan of honey mustard—it’s the perfect condiment for these snackable bites! If you’ve made this recipe, drop us a line down below, leave a comment and a rating and let us know how you liked it!
