Pecan-Crusted Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard Sauce
I’m always looking for fun ways to health-ify a family favorite, and good ol’ chicken fingers are at the top of that list. This nutty twist stars pecans, which add a boost of antioxidants and irresistible flavor.
Ingredients
Chicken Fingers
- 1 ½ pounds chicken tenderloins or breasts cut into strips
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 to 1½ teaspoons kosher salt
- 2 eggs
- 2 tablespoons light mayo
Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce (makes ½ cup)
- 3 tablespoons light mayo
- 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons honey
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°. Mist a baking sheet with oil spray and set aside.
- In a wide shallow bowl, stir together the pecans, panko, garlic, paprika and salt.
- In a second wide shallow bowl, whisk the eggs and light mayonnaise until well blended.
- One at a time, dip the chicken pieces into the egg mixture, letting any excess egg drip off, then place in the pecan-breadcrumb mixture (pat all sides to fully coat with breading). Place the chicken on the baking sheets and mist the tops with oil spray.
- Bake in the oven for about 20 minutes, carefully flipping them at the 10-minute mark using tongs or a wide spatula (It’s important to flip them at the halfway mark to prevent the pecans from burning and to ensure the underneath side becomes crispy). Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165˚.
- Serve immediately with honey mustard sauce on the side.
To make the sauce:
- Mix the mayo, mustard and honey together until smooth and serve on the side. 1 tablespoon = 35 calories
Notes
Note: If you have an oven rack handy, set it on the baking sheet and position your chicken on top for even more crispiness.
Also, if you have an extra 15-30 minutes, marinate the chicken beforehand with some low-fat buttermilk or plain yogurt, as it’ll ensure your chicken is tender and juicy.
And while the honey mustard dipping sauce is theoretically optional, it’s kind of not…. It’s a non-negotiable necessity in my house. It requires just 3 simple ingredients and truly delivers next-level flavor. It’s subtle and creamy yet surprisingly alluring…you’ll keep coming back for more and more. I serve it with my Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, too. I’m excited to hear what you think!
Also, if you have an extra 15-30 minutes, marinate the chicken beforehand with some low-fat buttermilk or plain yogurt, as it’ll ensure your chicken is tender and juicy.
And while the honey mustard dipping sauce is theoretically optional, it’s kind of not…. It’s a non-negotiable necessity in my house. It requires just 3 simple ingredients and truly delivers next-level flavor. It’s subtle and creamy yet surprisingly alluring…you’ll keep coming back for more and more. I serve it with my Air Fryer Chicken Tenders, too. I’m excited to hear what you think!
Nutrition Information per serving
Calories: 460Carbohydrates: 12gProtein: 46gTotal Fat: 27g— Unsaturated Fat: 24.5g— Saturated Fat: 2.5gCholesterol: 180mgSodium: 700mgFiber: 4gTotal Sugar: 2gIron: 2.5mg
Nutrition information is calculated using a leading industry software. That being said, brands can vary, and there may be slight fluctuations in the numbers.