This pecan-crusted hen recipe makes the BEST home made, crispy hen nuggets ever! They’re lightened up with a scrumptious, crunchy coating of crushed pecans and tortilla chips, and baked relatively than fried.
I’m a BIG fan of crispy hen (who isn’t?), and I’m simply over right here fuelling my obsession with recipes like parmesan hen tenders, crunchy cornflake hen, and this flavor-loaded sizzling honey hen!
I not often meet a hen nugget I don’t like, however this pecan crusted hen gained me over utterly with the primary chew. It’s all in regards to the breading! There’s a bit of nutty sweetness from pecans, paired with salty, tortilla chip crunch. It’s BEYOND good. Crunchy, flavorful, and 100% home made. Make this pecan crusted hen for dinner, lunch, as a snack, and even as an superior appetizer (I see you, Soccer Sunday!). And always remember the honey mustard sauce.
What Makes This Pecan Crusted Hen So Good
- Higher than store-bought. My complete household LOVES hen nuggets. Once I first got down to make “lightened-up” home made nuggets, I knew they wanted to have the identical irresistible crunch as our freezer aisle and quick meals favorites. This pecan crusted hen delivers!
- Baked, not fried. Aim #2? Reaching one of the best texture with out deep-frying (as a lot as I really like fried hen). This one took some check runs, however in the long run, these pecan crusted hen nuggets baked up golden and scrumptious with a fraction of the trouble (and mess) of frying in oil.
- Fast and straightforward. Since there’s no deep-frying concerned, this pecan crusted hen makes an awesome weeknight dinner possibility. Hardly any mess, no fussing. Simply scrumptious, juicy, flavor-packed hen nuggets sizzling from the oven in half-hour!
Substances You’ll Want
The substances record for this pecan crusted hen couldn’t be shorter. You want simply 4 objects plus your most well-liked seasonings. I’ve included my notes right here. Scroll right down to the recipe card for the printable substances with the complete quantities and recipe particulars.
- Hen – Cubed hen breast halves work finest on this recipe. You might use boneless, skinless hen tenders or thighs, too. Reduce the hen into even-sized 1” items.
- Tortilla Chips – These could be salted or any taste you’d like. I usually use the leftover bits within the backside of the chip bag!
- Spices – I take advantage of chili powder and oregano along with salt and black pepper.
- Pecans – It’s also possible to make this recipe with sliced almonds if pecans are out of inventory the place you might be.
- Milk – As a substitute of an egg wash, I dip the hen items in milk earlier than coating them with breading. Works like a attraction. Be at liberty to make use of whichever dairy or non-dairy milk you’ve gotten within the fridge. Buttermilk additionally works!
Easy methods to Make Pecan Crusted Hen Nuggets
This simple hen nuggets recipe seems constantly scrumptious within the oven, and the steps are tremendous easy! Observe alongside right here:
- Put together the breading. Begin by including the tortilla chips, chili powder, and dried oregano to your blender or meals processor. Pulse a number of occasions, add the pecans, and pulse once more till you’ve gotten advantageous crumbs. Add the breading to a shallow bowl or plate.
- Bread the hen. Add the milk to a bowl. In the meantime, season the hen with salt and pepper, and dip the items into the milk, then into the breading. Roll it round within the crumbs to coat.
- Bake. Organize the pecan crusted hen on a greased and lined baking sheet. Bake at 400ºF for 12-Quarter-hour, flipping midway by way of. When the hen is cooked by way of and crispy, you’re able to serve.
Use the Air Fryer
When you personal an air fryer, you may cook dinner this pecan crusted hen utilizing the identical methodology I take advantage of for my air fryer hen nuggets. It’s fast and straightforward:
- Prepare dinner the nuggets at 360ºF for 7 minutes, flip, and cook dinner for one more 5 minutes till crispy.
- Put together and coat the hen as directed.
- Organize the hen contained in the air fryer. Work in batches, and don’t overcrowd the basket.
Recipe Suggestions
- Preheat the oven. Just be sure you absolutely preheat the oven to a sizzling 400ºF earlier than you bake your pecan hen. Excessive warmth is vital to rapidly crisping up the surface whereas the within stays juicy.
- Reduce the hen into even-sized items. This ensures that the hen bakes evenly. I normally intention for items which can be about 1 to 1 ½ inches in measurement.
- Examine the hen for doneness. An instant-read meat thermometer is your finest good friend in terms of testing all the things from hen to steak for doneness. Hen is cooked when the inner temperature reads 165ºF.
- Use one other minimize of hen. Make pecan crusted hen tenders following the cooking instructions for my baked hen tenders. You might even bread complete hen breasts and bake them based on my oven fried hen recipe.
- Substitute the tortilla chips. When you don’t have tortilla chips to mix up for the breading, you may swap in potato chips, Ritz crackers, Panko crumbs, or common breadcrumbs.
Serving Options
This crispy pecan crusted hen goes nice with a facet of dipping sauce(s). We’re honey mustard followers in our home, however why cease there? Serve these with barbecue sauce or cool and creamy ranch dressing for dipping, or any sauce you’d like. They make an incredible sport day or Tremendous Bowl appetizer subsequent to our favourite pizza dip!
In any other case, if I’m serving crispy hen for dinner, I’ll make a fast facet of air fryer fries and a contemporary avocado salad, with a fudgy brownie for dessert.
Storing and Reheating
- Refrigerate. Retailer leftover pecan crusted hen hermetic within the fridge for as much as 4 days. The breading will get a bit soggy over time, however leftovers are nice to get pleasure from chilly or reheated in salads and wraps for simple lunches.
- Reheat. I at all times suggest reheating breaded hen within the oven or air fryer, because it helps crisp up the surface once more. For even crispier outcomes, place the hen on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Heat the hen at 350ºF, till it’s heated by way of.
Extra Simple Hen Recipes
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Prep. Preheat oven to 400ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil. Flippantly grease it with cooking spray and put aside.
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Make the pecan breading. Place chips, chili powder, and oregano in a meals processor or blender. Course of till nicely floor. Add pecans and pulse a number of occasions, or till finely floor. Switch the combination to a plate.
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Bread the hen. Pour milk right into a bowl. Season the hen items with salt and pepper. Dip the hen first into the milk, after which roll it within the crumb combination to coat.
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Bake. Place coated hen nuggets on the beforehand ready baking sheet. Bake for 12 to fifteen minutes, or till the hen is cooked by way of, turning as soon as midway by way of cooking.
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End and serve. Take away the hen from the oven and let it relaxation for a couple of minutes earlier than serving.
Serving: 1nugget | Energy: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 4g | Fats: 4g | Saturated Fats: 0g | Ldl cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 61mg | Potassium: 98mg | Fiber: 0g | Sugar: 0g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 23mg | Iron: 0.4mg
Dietary data is an estimate and offered as courtesy. Values might fluctuate based on the substances and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed data.
