Description
This Honey Pecan Chicken Breast recipe features tender, juicy chicken breasts cooked in a buttery skillet and topped with a sweet honey glaze and crunchy toasted pecans. The optional chipotle pepper adds a subtle smoky kick to balance the natural sweetness, making it an easy yet flavorful meal perfect for weeknights or entertaining.
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
- 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. Even thickness helps ensure the chicken cooks evenly.
- Season Chicken: Sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts evenly with salt, garlic powder, black pepper, and chipotle pepper if using, to layer in flavor.
- Cook Chicken: Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted and shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and cook until they are browned on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Then reduce heat to low, cover the skillet with a lid, and cook for an additional 6-8 minutes until the chicken is no longer pink inside and a thermometer inserted in the thickest part reads 160°F. Flip the chicken once during this cooking phase to ensure even doneness.
- Prepare Honey Pecan Sauce: Drizzle honey evenly over the cooked chicken breasts in the skillet. Sprinkle the toasted pecans on top. Cover again and cook for 2-3 minutes more to allow the honey sauce to thicken and coat the chicken.
- Rest and Serve: Use a spoon to drizzle some of the pan sauce over the chicken. Remove the chicken from the heat and let rest, covered, for 5-10 minutes. Resting redistributes the juices within the meat, resulting in moist and tender chicken. Serve warm.
Notes
- To toast pecans, place them in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Using a meat mallet to pound the chicken breasts ensures even cooking and a tender texture.
- An instant-read thermometer is useful to guarantee the chicken is fully cooked but still juicy.
- You can omit the chipotle pepper for a milder, sweeter flavor profile.
- For a low-fat option, substitute butter with a small amount of olive oil, but keep in mind the flavor will slightly differ.
- Serve with steamed vegetables or a simple salad for a balanced meal.
