I was never a huge fan of fried chicken, chicken nuggets, or any other variation of breaded chicken – but the reality is – that little crunch on the outside of a moist piece of chicken appears to be universally pleasing to the masses, including all the boys in my family. Here is a fun and fast recipe which in my humble opinion, tastes much better than the traditional breaded chicken!
Pecan Crusted Chicken
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup organic spicy brown mustard
- 2 tbsp raw organic honey
- 1 cup pecans
- sea salt
Instructions
-
Preheat oven to 350. In a medium sized mixing bowl blend together the mustard and honey. Toss the pecans in a food processor and pulse until the nuts are finely chopped. Pour the chopped pecans either on a plate or in a pie pan if you have one. Using a paper towel, remove any excess moisture from the outside of your chicken breasts. Taking one chicken breast at a time, first place the chicken into the mustard/honey mixture and coat on both sides. Transfer chicken to the chopped pecans and again cover both sides. Place coated chicken into a greased glass baking dish (I used a little olive oil spray to cover the bottom of the dish) and sprinkle each chicken breast with just a little sea salt. Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until the chicken juices run clear.
ENJOY!
Primal Toad says
May 1, 2010 at 5:49 pmThis looks delicious! It is simple and I usually have all ingredients on hand. I am low on pecans so I will be trying it with pecans and walnuts, maybe some macadamia nuts too!
It will be enjoyed next week nonetheless 🙂
Rebecca Reynolds says
May 2, 2010 at 3:53 pmI have been following your blog for a few weeks now and it is the best paleo blog I have found so far! I have been doing crossfit in Mobile, Al since November and have finally started paleo. Your recipes have really made it easy to enjoy paleo and I can’t wait to try this recipe this week!! Thanks 🙂
Em says
May 3, 2010 at 9:46 amOooh! That looks incredible! I was just trying to figure out chicken nuggets yesterday (as I’ve just started going paleo this past Saturday)! This is exciting!
Virginia says
May 3, 2010 at 11:01 amThis is a perfect recipe for us to try since we live in a pecan orchard valley in southern New Mexico. I never enjoyed pecans until we moved to the Southwest and can taste the difference in fresh pecans vs. picking them up at the grocery store. A couple of places to order from online are San Saba Pecan (sansabapecan.com) or Stahmann’s (stahmmans.com), where we pick them up locally. San Saba buys pecans from all over the valley. Stahmann’s has their own orchards. We usually buy at San Saba because they’re a little less expensive.
Sarah says
May 6, 2010 at 9:50 amHey Virginia,
Thanks for the tip on where to order pecans, I’ll have to give it a try!
Mallory says
May 3, 2010 at 1:42 pmthis loooooooks nommy…will need to find a nut replacement b/c them babies is expensive!!!!!!!
BJ says
April 2, 2011 at 9:44 amYou can buy pecans pretty inexpensive at Costco. Get them in the baking section, NOT the candy and nuts section. They have several kinds of bags of nuts pretty inexpensive. But make sure you look down their baking isle.
Sarah says
April 5, 2011 at 8:13 amThanks for the tip BJ!
Dan says
March 7, 2012 at 4:17 pmI’d watch out for some Costco nuts. They are processed in a facility that processes wheat. Read the fine print before buying.
Johana says
May 4, 2010 at 3:03 pmI have been following your blog for about a month now and love that you have a way of making these recipes sound so easy! And you usually have a very low ingredient list which I LOVE! I’m actually trying this tonight but with halibut!
John says
May 4, 2010 at 3:38 pmThis was really good, you can really taste the pecan crust and it gives the chicken a nice texture. I had seconds!
Sarah says
May 6, 2010 at 9:49 amThat chicken got us threw a crazy weekend, I even ate it for breakfast!! Glad you liked it too babe… : )
Tom Hartin says
May 5, 2010 at 12:58 pmJust made the pecan crusted chicken! Absolutely gorgoeous well done!
Sarah says
May 6, 2010 at 9:47 amThanks Tom! : )
Alex says
May 5, 2010 at 4:20 pmHi! I’m new to paleo, and I really like your site as a resource. I found some other good recipes at thefitreport.blogspot.com But I love the great looking pictures on your site.
John says
May 11, 2010 at 3:25 pmThis is a great recipe. I made it twice in one week. I also used it with duck breasts and they were awesome.
Rob says
May 18, 2010 at 7:57 amHey Sarah,
I just wanted to tell you that I made these last night and they were amazing!!
I must say of all the paleo recipies I have tried yours ALWAYS taste the best! Please keep them coming!
Jen says
May 22, 2010 at 4:19 amI made these during the week and I wanted to tell you that they were a huge hit with my family. Thanks for all of the recipies on your site. I have made most of them and all have turned out great. Also thanks for the brussel sprout inspiration. I never tried them before I found your site. I am looking for a vitamin supplement for my 3 year old – any suggestions? Thanks again!
Brian Doll says
May 22, 2010 at 4:59 pmGreat blog! It’s always nice to get some fresh paleo recipes. I made this as suggested, and it was really tasty. Have you tried it without the honey? I’d like to avoid the sugar, and was wondering how it worked out for folks who might have also left it out.
Stacy says
May 23, 2010 at 7:17 amI made this last week and it was delicious. Have you tried brussels sprouts satued in bacon? It was very good. Thanks for the blog!
SK says
May 29, 2010 at 6:09 pmJust made my first paleo dinner for the family using this recipe. So yummy! Was a little heavy on the mustard taste for the kiddos (ages 3 &4) but will definitly make this again, just with less mustard!
I love this site! Thanks!
Phil says
June 3, 2010 at 8:15 amWow, thanks so much for the inspiration!!! I modified the recipe using walnuts as a “breading” instead and stuffed the chicken with dates (likely not Paleo friendly but I’m steadily getting rid of all my non-Paleo food in prep for a 30 day strict). Soooo good!!!!
Lori says
June 25, 2010 at 11:46 amThis was an AWESOME recipe! I made it last night and it was fantastic! Thank you so much for the recipe (and all of the recipes!).
Check out my post about it. 😉
http://www.whatrunslori.com/2010/06/pistachio-encrusted/
Matt says
August 2, 2010 at 9:32 amThanks for this delicious recipe! We had it last night – no leftovers! Evidence of a hit!
Carla C says
August 16, 2010 at 10:02 amI made this and it turned out wonderful! I picked up a huge bag of pecans at Costco for under $10. Since my local store didn’t have spicy mustard I used regular and it turned out great! My husband commented that I should definately make this one again.
Brittany says
August 30, 2010 at 10:55 amI made this recipe for the first time two months ago. I’ve only made it twice, but dad keeps requesting it, so I’ll be making it again tonight for him and my bf. 🙂
Jen Coleman says
November 14, 2010 at 12:14 pmHi! Love this site and have tried many of your delicious recipes! I’m doing a 30 day Whole30 challenge — any thoughts on what to use instead of honey? I’m considering coconut milk…..
Thanks again for all of the GREAT meal ideas!
Sarah says
November 14, 2010 at 2:36 pmHi Jen,
You can try coconut milk, or even just do the mustard without the honey maybe? I’m so glad you are enjoying my recipes!! : )
jenny says
January 16, 2011 at 3:31 pmMade this recipe tonight! It was yummy…will do it again. My 4 and 6 yr old enjoyed it as well. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Kendra says
March 20, 2011 at 6:18 amWe had this last night and everyone, especially the picky 6 year old, gobbled it up. I agree, it’s way better than chicken nuggets! 🙂 I seriously cannot wait for your book to be out!!
Lori says
April 20, 2011 at 3:33 amGot any suggestions for what to bread with that is not a nut? My child is very allergic to nuts. She is also allergic to apples & oranges. Not paleo, also allergic to corn and soy. I have been doing paleo with her, I am trying to make sure she likes what she eats. I ordered your book, and can not wait to get it!
Sarah says
April 21, 2011 at 7:47 amIf she’s not allergic to coconut I would suggest using finely shredded unsweetened coconut flakes instead of the pecans. You can also just use the honey mustard as a glaze, sear it in a hot pan first in some melted butter or coconut oil to lock in the flavor and juices and then finish in the oven! : )
Chrissy says
May 11, 2011 at 7:51 amMade this last night with my non Paleo best friend… we have both loved every recipe we’ve made from the website and we are now cooking our way through your book! 🙂 Thanks for all the inspiration!
Mandie Wood says
May 22, 2011 at 8:38 pmI agree with you on the not being a great fan of breaded chicken.. BUT I just made this for dinner tonight with a salad.. ohhhh wow!! The boys in my family were totally arguing over who was getting the rest!! (Im the only female in my house too!) This meal was sooo yummy!! I can’t wait to make it again!! I didn’t realize I could cook until you came along!! Thank you Sarah!!
Melanie says
August 4, 2011 at 4:48 amYUM!!! I just made this last night with the Fancy Pear Salad… delicious!!! I don’t really like nuts all that much, but when you crunch them up and put them on chicken with mustard and honey, wow! I felt like I was eating dessert!! My husband loved it too; he plate was literally “clean” when we were done. Not a crumb (or pecan, rather) left! Thanks for the great recipes!
jennifer says
January 10, 2012 at 9:01 amtotally not a fan of honey, brown mustard, or pecans. yet i LOVED this recipe. thanks!!!
Lori says
February 20, 2012 at 9:47 amI make a very similar pork medallion with horseradish and pistachios. SO delish. Will give this a try!
Sarah says
February 21, 2012 at 7:39 amYum, that sounds delicious Lori!
Jess says
April 9, 2012 at 8:15 pmMade this tonight for the first time, needed something new for chicken and this was amazing. I didn’t have spicy mustard so I just used what we had. I will for sure make this again.
BethC says
April 16, 2012 at 11:05 amI just found this recipe and it looks absolutely delicious!!! There is a great place online to get pecan meal from DurhamEllis Pecans. It’s only $4.25 for a pound of meal. And that way you don’t have to crush them yourself. It’s already done for you. 🙂
fittingbackin says
May 28, 2012 at 1:20 pmYUM – we just made this but with 3/4 cup almonds instead of 1 cup pecans (what I had on hand!) – awesome! Just put it over lettuce and didn’t even need a dressing!
Katie says
June 5, 2012 at 7:39 amWhat would you cook as a side that would go with the pecan chicken?
Sarah says
June 5, 2012 at 7:54 amI would suggest roasted Brussels Sprouts or a big green salad!
Shelly says
June 20, 2012 at 11:42 amthis recipe is very very good! I was very skeptical because I do not like mustard, but I thought I would give this recipe a try anyway. I was very surprised how tasty this recipe is!! you cannot taste the mustard at all. the chicken was moist and very delicious! I will make this often to have on hand to take with me for lunch at work!! Thx!!
David says
October 31, 2012 at 10:18 amMy very special friend made me the Pecan Crusted Chicken and it was amazing! I only have two words for it.. Wow!
McKenna says
May 22, 2013 at 4:50 pmMade this tonight- laid it on top of a spinach salad with raspberries, strawberries and a homemade balsamic dressing. AMAZING.
Natalie says
June 11, 2013 at 4:43 pmWe make this at least once a week! One of my favorite recipes! Thank you so much for sharing!
Aveo says
June 18, 2013 at 5:50 pmDo you cover this while baking?
Hayley says
July 14, 2014 at 4:22 amThis was fabulous, thank you!