Description
Indulge in the irresistible combination of crunchy pecans and juicy chicken with our Crispy Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders. This delectable dish offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures, making it the perfect addition to your mealtime lineup. Prepare to impress your taste buds and delight your family with this simple yet impressive recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
- 1 cup finely chopped pecans
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
1. Prepare Dredging Stations: Set up three shallow dishes. In the first, combine the flour, salt, pepper, and smoked paprika. In the second, beat the eggs until light and fluffy. In the third, place the finely chopped pecans.
2. Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken strip into the seasoned flour, ensuring it’s fully coated. Shake off any excess. Next, dip the floured chicken into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off. Finally, press the chicken into the chopped pecans, coating it thoroughly.
3. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, pour about an inch of vegetable oil and heat over medium-high heat until hot.
4. Fry the Chicken: Carefully add the coated chicken strips to the hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 3-4 minutes per side. Use a meat thermometer to ensure an internal temperature of 165°F.
5. Drain and Serve: Remove the chicken tenders from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
To achieve maximum crispiness, it’s crucial to maintain the right oil temperature when frying the chicken tenders. Aim for a temperature between 350-375°F for optimal results. Additionally, be sure to fry the chicken in batches, avoiding overcrowding the pan, which can cause the oil temperature to drop and result in soggy tenders.
For the perfect pecan coating, make sure to finely chop the nuts to ensure they adhere evenly to the chicken. If you prefer a thicker coating, feel free to increase the amount of pecans used. As for storage and reheating, the chicken tenders can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, simply place them in a 400°F oven for 5-8 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 tenders
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 14g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 200mg