Description
This Honey Pecan Chicken Breast recipe offers a delightful combination of tender, juicy chicken breasts flavored with a smoky chipotle kick and topped with a sweet honey glaze and crunchy toasted pecans. Perfect for a quick and impressive weeknight dinner, it balances savory, sweet, and nutty flavors using simple ingredients and straightforward pan-cooking techniques.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- â…› teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon ground chipotle pepper (optional, for a smoky kick)
Sauce & Topping
- 2 tablespoons butter
- â…“ cup honey
- â…“ cup finely chopped pecans, toasted
Instructions
- Prepare Chicken: Pound chicken breasts to a uniform ½-inch thickness using a meat mallet. This ensures even cooking. Sprinkle both sides evenly with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and chipotle pepper if you want a smoky flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and hot. Add the seasoned chicken breasts and cook until browned on the first side, about 4-5 minutes. Flip the chicken and cook the other side until browned. Then reduce the heat, cover the skillet, and continue cooking for 6-8 minutes or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the thickest part registers 160°F on an instant-read thermometer.
- Make Honey Pecan Sauce: Drizzle honey evenly over the cooked chicken breasts and sprinkle the toasted pecans on top. Cover the pan and cook for another 2-3 minutes. This helps the honey to slightly thicken and the flavors to meld together, coating the chicken with a glossy, sweet sauce.
- Rest and Serve: Spoon some of the warm honey pecan sauce from the pan over the chicken breasts. Let the chicken rest uncovered for 5-10 minutes before slicing or serving. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making each bite juicy and full of flavor.
Notes
- To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat and stir frequently until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-5 minutes.
- Use a meat mallet or rolling pin to pound the chicken evenly, which helps it cook evenly and stay tender.
- Adjust the amount of chipotle pepper to your preferred spice level or omit for a milder dish.
- For extra richness, a splash of heavy cream can be added to the honey sauce during the last cooking step.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal.
