Pecan Crusted Healthy Fried Chicken

Here’s a recipe that transforms chicken tenders that you just throw together so the kids will eat something, to a meal that adults will also love and I daresay this is company worthy too. Pecan Crusted Healthy Fried Chicken is ready with almost no effort. 

Marinated in buttermilk, the chicken is guaranteed to be moist on the inside while smoky spices and crushed pecans add a punch of crunch on the outside. Frying in healthy oils for a short period of time is the healthy part of this fried chicken recipe. Good oil options here are light olive oil, (not extra virgin), avocado or expeller pressed canola oil (non-GMO).

Plan ahead to allow time for the chicken to marinade, plus after dredging the meat, refrigerating for an additional 30 minutes ensures the crust will adhere during frying and helps to infuse the spices into the chicken. Great served picnic style for adults and kids alike. The ingredient list seems daunting at first glance, but the spice mix can be put together anytime in advance and there’s nothing complicated or fussy about the final preparation.

Pecan Crusted Healthy Fried Chicken is excellent when reheated, so feel free to fry the day before serving! Cook’s note: If you prefer to ditch the frying step and prepare this dish in the oven, the flavor is still excellent, but the crust is a little softer and not as golden as pictured here. My family likes this meal served family-style, dumped on newspaper in the center of the table for easy, finger-licking noshing. 

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Pecan Crusted Healthy Fried Chicken

Marinated in buttermilk and dipped in a spicy pecan crust, this fried chicken is super moist on the inside and deliciously crunchy on the outside.

Prep Time 1 hour

Cook Time 6 minutes

Total Time 1 hour 6 minutes

Servings 6

Author Good Dinner Mom

Ingredients 

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• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into tenders or strips
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups raw pecans
• 1 1/3 cups flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• Oil for frying

Instructions

• Place chicken pieces in a bowl, cover with the buttermilk and marinade for 30 minutes at room temperature.
• In a food processer, pulse the pecans, flour and all seasonings until the nuts are roughly chopped.
• Transfer the pecan mixture to a bowl and, one at a time, coat the chicken pieces thoroughly.
• Set the coated pieces on a baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes.
• Fill a cast-iron or heavy non-stick skillethalfway with oil and heat over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Cook the chicken 2 to 3 minutes per side, or until dark golden.
• Drain the chicken on paper towels and serve hot.

Recipe adapted from Chef Lee Bailey in O Magazine’s Cookbook.