Honey Garlic Pecan Chicken (Printable)

Tender chicken glazed with honey-garlic sauce and topped with toasted pecans for sweet-savory crunch.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Poultry

01 - 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
02 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
03 - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (or gluten-free alternative)

→ Sauce & Flavorings

04 - 1/3 cup honey
05 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce (use gluten-free if needed)
06 - 4 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
08 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter

→ Nuts

09 - 3/4 cup pecan halves, roughly chopped

→ Garnish

10 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

# How-to Steps:

01 - Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Lightly dredge each breast in flour, shaking off any excess.
02 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add the chicken breasts and sear for 3 to 4 minutes per side until a golden crust forms. Transfer the chicken to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce the heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter to the skillet, then add the minced garlic. Sauté for 1 minute until fragrant and lightly golden.
04 - Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and Dijon mustard. Bring the mixture to a simmer, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet to incorporate into the sauce.
05 - Return the chicken to the pan and coat evenly with the sauce. Cover and cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
06 - While the chicken cooks, toast the chopped pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned. Set aside.
07 - When the chicken is cooked through, top each piece with the toasted pecans and spoon extra sauce over the top. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce caramelizes into a sticky glaze that makes you want to lick the plate clean.
  • It tastes like something from a restaurant but comes together with pantry staples in under an hour.
  • The toasted pecans add a crunch that turns a simple weeknight dinner into something genuinely special.
02 -
  • Do not walk away while toasting the pecans because they go from perfect to burnt in seconds and there is no rescuing them.
  • Let the sauce come to a proper simmer before returning the chicken or it will not thicken into that gorgeous glaze.
03 -
  • Use a meat thermometer because overcooked chicken will ruin even the most perfect sauce.
  • Let the chicken rest for two minutes after cooking so the juices redistribute and every bite stays moist.

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