If you’re looking for a delicious chicken dinner that’ll be ready in 30 minutes and is a real crowd-pleaser, then this bourbon pecan chicken is perfect for you! The breaded chicken is coated in a delicious bourbon, Dijon mustard, brown sugar-based sauce that takes this meal to the next level!
This bourbon pecan chicken is nothing like you’ve ever tried before! It’s savory, crunchy, slightly sweet, and a whole lot of delicious. The best part is it only takes 30 minutes to make this from scratch! It’s the perfect dish for entertaining family and friends during the holiday season.
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Quick: From prep time to plate, this dish doesn’t take long to make. The chicken breasts only need to bake in the oven for about 15-20 minutes and the bourbon mixture comes together swiftly on the stovetop.
- Crowd Pleaser: With its mouth-watering bourbon glaze and crunchy pecan coating, this chicken dish is sure to impress at any gathering. Plus, it doesn’t just look great, but it is also packed with flavors that will keep your guests coming back for more.
- Versatile: This dish can be easily paired with different sides like mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, or a fresh salad. You can also adjust the bourbon mixture to your taste, so feel free to add more mustard or brown sugar if you prefer!
- Delicious: The unique combination of pecan breading and bourbon glaze makes this recipe a surefire hit every single time. The sweet, tangy bourbon glaze beautifully compliments the nutty, crunchy pecan crust, making every bite delicious!
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Key Ingredients
- Pecans: These nuts add a delicious crunch and a nutty flavor to our bourbon pecan chicken dish. They’re also the star player in our pecan breading.
- Plain Bread Crumbs: They help create a crispy exterior on the chicken breasts when combined with the pecans.
- Eggs: They act as a binder for the pecan breading to stick to the chicken meat. Room-temperature eggs will blend more easily into the mixture.
- Chicken Breasts: The main protein in this dish. Their mild flavor and tender texture make them perfect for taking on the flavors of the marinade and pecan breading.
- Butter: A key player in this recipe, it gives a rich, buttery flavor. It is also used to fry the coated chicken breasts to perfection.
- Olive Oil: Combined with butter, it helps to evenly brown the chicken breasts and prevents them from burning.
- Dijon Mustard: Adds a tangy and spicy flavor to the dish, complimenting the sweetness of the brown sugar.
- Dark Brown Sugar: Adds a hint of molasses sweetness, balancing the tanginess of the Dijon mustard and the savory soy sauce.
- Bourbon Whiskey: Gives the dish a deep, smoky flavor. It’s part of the marinade that the chicken breasts are soaked in before baking.
- Soy Sauce: Adds umami and saltiness to the dish, enhancing the overall flavor profile.
- Worcestershire Sauce: This secret ingredient adds a bit of zing and complexity to the marinade.
- Butter: Butter, cut into small cubes is used in the sauce that is poured over the chicken, it adds a creamy, velvety texture.
- Green Onion: Adds a fresh, slightly sharp flavor that cuts through the rich, buttery sauce. It is also a lovely garnish that adds a pop of color to the dish.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls – You’ll need at least two mixing bowls for this recipe. One for mixing the bread crumbs and pecans, and another for whisking the eggs.
- Skillet – A large skillet is essential for browning the chicken breasts on both sides before they’re baked in the oven.
- Saucepan – This is used to prepare the bourbon mixture. You’ll whisk together the Dijon mustard, dark brown sugar, bourbon whiskey, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce, then heat on medium-low until it simmers.
- Baking Sheet – You will need this to bake the coated chicken breasts in the oven. It is recommended to line it with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
How to Make
Preparation
Start with preheating your oven to a temperature of 350˚ F. Also line a cookie sheet with parchment paper for later use. Gather all your ingredients, and ensure your chicken breasts are clean and ready for cooking.
Step 1 – Preparing the Chicken and Pecan Mixture
In a bowl, mix together your dry bread crumbs and pecans to create a deliciously crunchy pecan breading. In a separate bowl, whisk your eggs until they’re well beaten. Dip each chicken breast first into the egg mixture, making sure it is fully coated, then into the breadcrumb and pecan mixture.
Step 2 – Browning the Chicken
Now, heat a tablespoon of butter and a tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Once it’s hot, add your coated chicken breasts and brown them on both sides for about a minute or two. After browning, place the chicken breasts on your prepared cookie sheet.
Step 3 – Baking the Chicken
Bake the chicken breasts in your preheated oven for around fifteen to twenty minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the juices run clear and the internal temperature reads 160˚ F.
Step 4 – Preparing the Bourbon Mixture
While your chicken is baking, you can prepare the bourbon mixture. In a small saucepan, stir together Dijon mustard, dark brown sugar, bourbon whiskey, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat this mixture on medium-low heat until it comes to a simmer, then remove it from the heat.
Step 5 – Adding Butter to the Bourbon Mixture
Immediately after removing the bourbon mixture from the heat, add butter in small cubes, whisking after each addition until the butter is completely dissolved.
Step 6 – Serving the Chicken
Finally, place the baked chicken breasts on a large serving plate. Pour the bourbon mixture over the chicken, adjusting the amount to your taste. Top the dish with some freshly chopped green onions to add a bit of color and crunch. And there you have it, your bourbon pecan chicken is ready to be savored and enjoyed!
Expert Tip
- Gradually add the butter: When making the bourbon mixture, add the butter one cube at a time, whisking until it fully dissolves. This method prevents the sauce from separating and gives it a silky texture.
Variations
- Try it with Honey: If you enjoy a touch of sweetness with your savory dishes, this variation is for you. Consider adding a tablespoon of honey to the bourbon mixture. This will lend a subtle sweetness that perfectly compliments the pecan breading and the chicken meat.
- Switch to Chicken Thighs: For those who prefer darker meat, try using chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts. Chicken thighs are juicier and more flavorful, and they would work wonderfully with the pecan and bourbon flavors in this recipe.
- Make it Creamy: If you’re a fan of creamy dishes, try adding a quarter cup of cream to the bourbon sauce. This will give the dish a rich, creamy consistency that beautifully contrasts with the crunchy pecan breading.
- Make it Spicy: If you like a bit of a kick in your food, add a teaspoon of cayenne pepper to the pecan breading. This will give the chicken a spicy edge, offering a nice contrast to the sweet and savory bourbon sauce.
What to Serve With
- For a hearty homestyle dinner, serve this delicious bourbon pecan chicken with some creamy mashed potatoes. The buttery goodness of the potatoes makes a great companion to the rich bourbon sauce.
- Want a burst of freshness? Pair this dish with a crisp garden salad. The crunch and freshness of the vegetables balance out the richness of the pecan-coated chicken and bourbon sauce.
- For a wholesome meal, serve this bourbon pecan chicken with a side of steamed vegetables and wild rice. The nutty flavor of the rice compliments the pecans, and the veggies add a healthy touch.
- If you love pasta, try serving this dish with a side of garlic butter spaghetti. The robust garlic flavor in the pasta matches wonderfully with the savory bourbon pecan chicken.
- Bourbon pecan chicken also pairs well with a glass of your favorite white wine. The fruity and crisp notes of the wine can beautifully cut through the richness of the dish.
- For a Southern-style meal, serve this chicken with some sweet honey cornbread. The sweetness of the cornbread perfectly offsets the savory chicken and bourbon sauce.
Recipe FAQs
To prepare the pecan breading, you need to mix bread crumbs and chopped pecans together. Then, in a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture and then coat them fully with the crumbs and pecan mixture.
To make sure that the butter fully dissolves in the bourbon mixture, you need to cut it into small cubes and add one cube at a time into the saucepan, whisking constantly until it completely dissolves. This process is done off the heat after the bourbon mixture has simmered.
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerate: Properly stored, your bourbon pecan chicken can last up to three or four days in the refrigerator. Make sure to place the leftover chicken in an airtight container or tightly wrap it in aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
Freeze: Unfortunately, due to the pecan breading and the creamy bourbon sauce, this dish may not freeze well as the breading could become soggy and the cream-based sauce may separate when thawed.
Reheating: When you’re ready to enjoy your leftover bourbon pecan chicken, reheat it gently in the oven at a low temperature, around to keep it moist and ensure the pecan breading doesn’t burn.
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Serving Size
What to Expect: This bourbon pecan chicken recipe makes enough for four servings.
How to Scale: If you want to make more than four servings, you can double the recipe and follow the instructions as directed. Make sure your pan is large enough to accommodate the extra chicken breasts. If not, you can cook in two batches for the same results.
Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe
Ingredients
Chicken Breading
- 1/2 Cup Pecans finely chopped
- 1/2 Cup Plain Bread Crumbs
- 3 Large Eggs
- 4 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Tablespoon Butter
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
Bourbon Sauce
- 2 Tablespoons Dijon Mustard
- 2 Tablespoons Brown Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon Bourbon Whiskey
- 1 Tablespoon Soy Sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 6 Tablespoons Butter cut into smaller cubes
Optional Topping
- 1/4 Cup Green Onion sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350˚ F.
- Mix bread crumbs and pecans. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Dip the chicken breasts into the egg mixture and then into the crumbs and pecan mixture fully coating them.
- Heat 1 Tablespoon butter and 1 Tablespoon olive oil in a skillet on medium high. Once hot, add the chicken and brown on both sides, for about 1 minute on each side. Place the browned chicken on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- Bake the chicken in the oven for 15 – 20 minutes or until juices run clear and the internal temperature reaches 160˚ F.
- In a small saucepan whisk together the Dijon mustard, brown sugar, bourbon whiskey, soy sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Heat on medium-low and bring to a simmer. Remove from heat.
- Immediately add the butter one cube at a time whisking until it completely dissolves.
- Place the chicken on a large platter. Pour over the bourbon sauce right before serving. Top with green onions. Serve immediately.
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