Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken

A fantastic alternative to traditional breaded chicken breast, this air fryer pecan-crusted chicken is both crispy and delicious.

It’s the perfect addition to a fall-inspired salad featuring crisp apples, crunchy pecans, and goat cheese. Air frying eliminates the need for oil while ensuring a perfectly crispy exterior.

Coated in a blend of seasonings and ground pecans, and finished with a sweet maple honey mustard glaze, this chicken is incredibly easy to prepare and ideal for the fall season.

If you love easy Air Fryer Chicken Recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Copycat Panda Express Orange Chicken, Air Fryer KFC Chicken Recipe, or Air Fryer Chinese Chicken Wings.

Why You’ll Love Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken

• Simple ingredients
• Versatile for different meals
• Ready in under 30 minutes
• Kid-friendly

Watch How To Cook Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken

What Do I Need To Make This Recipe?

Here are the simple ingredients, you will need:

• Chicken Breast: Try boneless, skinless chicken breasts, or use chicken cutlets and tenderloins to make crispy tenders.
• Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper.
• Egg Wash
• Crunchy Pecans: Start with whole or pecan pieces, then chop them up into tiny pieces to make the coating. Almonds, walnuts, or pistachios would be tasty too.
• Baby Spinach: Feel free to swap in spring mix or your favorite greens.
• Mandarin Oranges: Use canned and drain well.
• Dressing: A tangy blend of balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, minced garlic, canola oil, and salt.

How to make air fried pecan crusted chicken

This pecan chicken recipe is so simple, that it is only 3 steps! Whether you’re cooking for the whole family or a meal for one, it’s low effort and ready in a flash!

Step 1: Prepare egg and seasonings: Crack eggs into a shallow bowl and whisk well. In a separate small bowl, combine the seasonings.

Step 2: Coat chicken: Pat chicken dry and coat both sides with seasonings. Then, dip into whisked eggs and let the excess drip off. Sprinkle chopped pecans all over chicken breasts and press them onto the surface.

Step 3: Air fry chicken Place pecan crusted chicken in the air fryer basket. Cook at air fryer temperature of 370 degrees F, and set cook time for 8-12 minutes. You shouldn’t need to flip it, but do so carefully if you do so the pecans don’t fall off.

Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken Recipe Tips

This recipe is super easy — that’s why I love it! Here are a few tips and tricks I have picked up after making pecan crusted chicken breast so often these past few years.

• Crushing Pecans: Pulse the nuts in a food processor or place them in a Ziploc bag and smash them with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Leave them a bit chunky or grind smaller for a more even, fine crust.
• Pat Chicken Dry: Use a paper towel and dry the chicken before coating it with the egg mixture. This will help all ingredients stick better to the surface.
• Easy Clean Up: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or use tin foil on the bottom of the basket.
• Shake and Bake: One the chicken is dipped in the egg, place it in a freezer bag with the crushed pecans and give it a good shake. This is one of the best ways to ensure an even coating.
• Let It Rest: Let air fryer pecan crusted chicken sit for 3-5 minutes before slicing. This ensures that every bite is as juicy as the last!
• Use an Instant Read Thermometer: Poultry is considered safe to eat when it reaches 165 degrees F internally. An instant read thermometer will give you quick, accurate results.

Serving Suggestions

For a quick dinner, I love to serve pecan crusted chicken breast with a side of Air Fryer Asparagus or my favorite Butternut Squash Fries.

It’s also delicious on a salad, as you can see from the photos and video. Slice the chicken and serve on a bed of baby spinach with canned mandarin oranges. Add your favorite dressing — I like a tangy Dijon vinaigrette!

Can I Make This Pecan Crusted Chicken Recipe in the Oven?

Yes — in fact, that’s your best option if you need to make a lot of servings.

First, line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil, then set a wire rack inside of it. Prepare the chicken breasts as directed, then place them on the wire rack. This ensures they crisp on all sides without needing to be flipped.

Bake pecan crusted chicken in the oven at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes. As always, check that the internal temperature has reached a safe 165 degrees F.

Storing and Reheating

Once cooled, transfer any leftovers to an airtight container. To prevent the crispy coating from becoming soggy, a shallow dish in a single layer is best. Keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

To freeze, wrap each pecan crusted chicken breast in foil before storing. Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw in the refrigerator before reheating.

Reheat in the air fryer for best results — about 5 minutes at 350 degrees F should do it!

Pecan Crusted Chicken Air Fryer Recipe Faqs

Can I Use Any Type of Chicken for This Recipe? Boneless, skinless breasts are the best choice when using a rough coating like chopped pecans because of their consistent size and thickness. You could also use boneless, skinless thigh meat, but stay away from other cuts — especially drumsticks.

How Do I Prevent the Pecan Crust From Burning? A light coating of cooking spray or oil can prevent excessive browning. We’re also cooking the chicken at a lower temperature to ensure the pecan coating doesn’t burn.

What Dipping Sauces Pair Well with Air Fryer Pecan Crusted Chicken? Choose something tangy or sweet to contrast the earthy flavor of the nuts and seasonings. My top choices are Dijon mustard or a honey mustard blend. Sweet and tangy cranberry sauce would be a winner too!

Are There Any Substitutes for Food Allergies? Whenever you are serving a meal, it is important to keep different food restrictions in mind so that everyone can enjoy the food together. Here are a few options to substitute certain ingredients so the entire family can enjoy this yummy chicken meal. 

• For nut allergies: Use panko breadcrumbs mixed with extra seasoning. Crushed pork rinds are also tasty and a great option for a keto diet.
• For egg allergies: Aquafaba is the best substitute for this pecan crusted chicken recipe. It’s simply the liquid that canned chickpeas are stored in!

More Easy Air Fryer Recipes

• AIR FRYER CHICKEN FAJITA RICE BOWL
• AIR FRYER SPINACH AND FETA CHEESE STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST
• EASY AIR FRYER CHICK-FIL-A BREAKFAST BOWL
• AIR FRYER COCA-COLA WINGS
• AIR FRYER MEXICAN CHICKEN CASSEROLE
• EASY AIR FRYER COBB SALAD

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