Imagine sinking your teeth into a perfectly golden, impossibly crispy chicken breast that's not just crunchy on the outside, but packed with rich, toasty pecan flavor that'll make your taste buds dance! This Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken isn't just another boring dinner recipe - it's a game-changing meal that transforms ordinary chicken into a restaurant-worthy dish in just 30 minutes. Whether you're a busy home cook looking for a quick weeknight meal or a foodie craving something extraordinary, this recipe promises to revolutionize your dinner game with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps the coating adhere better.
- In a food processor or using a knife, finely chop the pecans until they reach a breadcrumb-like consistency. Transfer to a shallow dish.
- In a separate shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs with the finely chopped pecans. Season the mixture with salt and pepper.
- In another bowl, whisk the egg and Dijon mustard together until well combined. This will serve as the binding agent for the crust.
- Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.
- Dip each chicken breast first into the egg-mustard mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
- Immediately transfer the coated chicken to the pecan-breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crust adheres completely to all sides.
- Preheat the air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for about 3 minutes.
- Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the pecan-crusted chicken breasts in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other.
- Cook for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C) and the crust is golden brown and crispy.
- Remove from air fryer and let rest for 3-5 minutes to allow juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot, optionally garnished with fresh herbs like parsley or a lemon wedge.
Tips
- Pat your chicken breasts completely dry before coating to ensure the most crispy, adherent crust possible.
- Use a food processor to get a fine, even chop on your pecans for the most consistent coating.
- Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket - give each chicken breast enough space to crisp up evenly.
- Use a meat thermometer to ensure your chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Let the chicken rest for a few minutes after cooking to help redistribute the juices and maintain maximum moisture.
- For extra flavor, experiment with adding herbs like thyme or rosemary to your pecan-breadcrumb mixture.
- If you prefer a lighter crust, you can reduce the pecan quantity and increase breadcrumbs slightly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 478kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 271mg
