If you’re looking for a simple yet flavorful way to elevate your chicken dinners, this Gluten-free Crispy Pecan Crusted Chicken recipe is a must-try! With a crispy, nutty crust and tender, juicy chicken inside, this dish is a perfect blend of texture and taste. Plus, it’s easy to make, naturally gluten-free, and packed with protein. Serve it with your favorite sides for a delicious meal the whole family will love!
Helpful Hint: I always brine my chicken before cooking—it makes such a difference! We’ve had our fair share of disappointments with sponge textured, dry chicken to the point where my husband will only eat it if it’s organic, pasture-raised, and preferably brined. This makes a huge difference in the flavor of chicken breasts.
Thankfully, brining is incredibly easy and just requires a little advance planning.
Simple Chicken Brine:
- Mix ½ cup of kosher salt with ½ gallon of water until dissolved.
- Submerge the chicken completely in the brine.
- Refrigerate overnight for the best texture and flavor.
That’s it! This simple step ensures juicy, flavorful chicken every time.
How to Make Gluten-free Crispy Pecan Crusted Chicken
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper OR lightly spray the paper with either avocado or olive oil cooking spray. This will prevent sticking and the coating coming off when trying to transfer the chicken after it’s fully baked.
Combine Pecans, flour and spices in a food processor OR you can crush by hand in a zip lock bag. Pulse until finely chopped. and transfer the coating to a shallow pan.
Whisk 2 eggs and a pinch of salt together.
Begin dipping the chicken breast into the egg mixture and coat evenly on both sides.
Transfer the egg coated chicken to the pan with the pecan mixture and coat both sides of th chicken breast evenly.
Place the pecan covered chicken on the oil sprayed baking sheet and repeat with remaining chicken.
Bake the pecan crusted chicken at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes. The chicken should reach an internal temperature of 165°. I use this digital thermometer and love it! The Meatr thermometer can be kept in the chicken while it’s cooking and you will receive a beep on your phone when the chicken reaches 165. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the chicken breasts.
Remove chicken from oven and let cool. When serving the chicken, I like to pair with steamed broccoli or a fresh salad. I alway have a carb for my active boys and usually pair this with my homemade pesto and angel hair pasta for them. If you don’t want to make your own pesto, Costco has a really tasty option under their Kirkland brand.
Gluten Free Pecan Crusted Chicken
Equipment
- 1 Food Processor You can crush the pecans by hand, or use a food processor.
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast
- 1 cup pecans
- 1/2 cup cassava or arrowroot flour I prefer Bob's
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 cup kosher salt for brine
Instructions
- Butterfly the chicken breasts1 lb chicken breast
- Brine the chicken for up to 24 hours in 1/2 cups kosher salt mixture and water.
- Preheat oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lightly spray with olive oil or avocado cooking spray.
- Combine pecans, flour and spices in a food processor. Process until finely chopped. Transfer mixture into a shallow bowl.1 cup pecans, 1/2 cup cassava or arrowroot flour, 2 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper
- Whisk eggs and a pinch of salt together.2 eggs
- Dip chicken breasts in the egg mixture and coat on each side.
- Transfer the egg coated chicken to the bowl with the pecan mixture and coat both sides of the chicken breast evenly with pecan mixture.
- Place pecan covered chicken on the baking sheet and repeat with remaining pieces of chicken.
- Bake for about 15-20 minutes until the internal temperature of the chicken breast reaches 165°F using an instant digital thermometer.
- Remove the chicken from the oven when done baking and let cool.
- Serve with a side salad, broccoli or a delicious peso pasta (carbs for the kids)
This Pecan Crusted Chicken recipe is a game-changer for weeknight meals! It’s crunchy, flavorful, and easy to prepare, making it a go-to dinner option. Whether you serve it with a fresh salad, roasted veggies, or mashed potatoes, this dish will quickly become a family favorite. Try it out and let me know what you think!
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