This is a unique recipe for Chicken with a Pecan, Bacon and Panko crust. Pecans and cooked bacon are chopped up in the food processor and mixed with panko. A delicious maple syrup mustard sauce is drizzled over top for serving. It has elements of sweet and salty that I love.
Sometimes I get ‘stuck’ in a chicken rut because I eat it so often. It’s a never-ending quest to come up with new recipes. Bacon is a known flavor miracle worker and can make just about anything taste better, except maybe an old shoe.
This would make a wonderful dinner salad over a bed of greens with a honey-mustard vinaigrette drizzled over the top.
Bacon & Pecan Crusted Chicken w/ Maple Honey Mustard
(by Reeni)
8 slices bacon
1 and 1/2 pounds Chicken Breast, skinless and boneless
1/2 cup pecans
1/2 cup panko crumbs
Sea salt and fresh cracked pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
Cook the bacon until crispy. Drain on paper towels and let cool. Rough chop.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Cover your chicken with saran wrap and pound to an even thickness (1/2″) using a meat mallet(or a skillet). Season with salt and pepper.
Coarsely chop the pecans and bacon in a food processor. Add the panko, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Pulse once or twice to incorporate the panko.
Place your crumb mixture into a shallow dish, and your beaten eggs in another.
Dunk your chicken in the egg and then dredge with the pecan mixture. Press it on by hand if needed.
Place in a large baking pan and bake until cooked through and juices run clear. About 20-25 minutes depending on the size of your chicken breasts.
Serve with maple honey mustard.
Maple Honey Mustard sauce
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons honey
1/4 cup Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire
2 tablespoons mayonnaise(optional)
Whisk everything together in a small bowl. If you want a creamier, richer sauce add the mayonnaise. Taste and add more honey or mustard if desired.
Everything about this sounds great. I wouldn’t have thought of a maple-mustard sauce, which I imagine would unstick anyone from a chicken rut! And that pecan-panko crust looks almost dessert-like. Wow!
Oh does that ever look good….that will wake up any dull chicken recipe!!!
It would be amamzing warm on a spinach salad. I love all the flavors you combined here!
Bacon makes everything better!!! This looks so tasty and I love the crunchy texture. That sauce sounds good too. My boyfriend would love it since he is a huge fan of maple syrup.
My first impression was a glorious dessert but not it's chicken with pecan and maple honey, Reeni excellent recipe mixing sweet and savory!