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Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken Recipe

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4.5 from 88 reviews

This Maple Bourbon Pecan Chicken recipe features juicy, tender chicken breasts coated with a crunchy pecan crust and glazed with a sweet, tangy maple bourbon sauce. The dish is a perfect balance of savory and sweet flavors with a hint of warmth from bourbon and a subtle kick from red pepper flakes. Quick seared on the stovetop and finished in the oven, it’s an easy yet impressive meal suitable for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 6–8 ounces each)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Maple Bourbon Glaze

  • 1/2 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1/4 cup bourbon (preferably smooth, sweeter bourbon)
  • 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Pecan Crust

  • 1 cup pecan halves
  • 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons melted butter

Instructions

  1. Toast Pecans: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread pecan halves on a baking sheet in a single layer and toast for 5-7 minutes until fragrant and lightly golden. Watch carefully to avoid burning. Remove and cool slightly.
  2. Process Pecans: Place cooled pecans in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped but crumbly, not buttery. Alternatively, finely chop by hand.
  3. Make Pecan Crust Mixture: In a medium bowl, combine chopped pecans, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, fresh parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  4. Add Butter to Crust: Pour melted butter over the pecan mixture and stir until evenly moistened.
  5. Prepare Maple Bourbon Glaze: In a small saucepan, whisk together maple syrup, bourbon, apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, and optional red pepper flakes.
  6. Simmer Glaze: Heat the saucepan over medium heat and bring glaze to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and set aside; it will thicken more as it cools. Thin with water if too thick.
  7. Prepare Chicken: If chicken breasts are thick, pound them to about 1/2 inch thickness between plastic wrap using a meat mallet or rolling pin.
  8. Season Chicken: In a small bowl, mix salt, pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. Sprinkle evenly over both sides of chicken breasts and pat in to adhere.
  9. Sear Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts and sear 2-3 minutes per side until lightly browned. Cook in batches if needed.
  10. Glaze Chicken: Remove skillet from heat. Brush tops of chicken breasts generously with maple bourbon glaze.
  11. Crust Chicken: Sprinkle pecan crust mixture evenly over glazed chicken, pressing gently to adhere and form a thick layer.
  12. Bake Chicken: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place skillet (if oven-safe) with chicken or transfer chicken breasts to a baking dish. Bake 15-20 minutes until chicken is cooked through and crust is golden brown. Internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
  13. Rest Chicken: Remove from oven and let rest 5-10 minutes before serving.
  14. Serve: Drizzle any remaining maple bourbon glaze over chicken and garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

  • Watch pecans closely when toasting to prevent burning.
  • If you do not have a food processor, finely chop pecans by hand.
  • The glaze thickens more as it cools; add water to thin if necessary.
  • To ensure even cooking, pound thick chicken breasts to uniform thickness.
  • You can make the glaze ahead and reheat gently before serving.
  • Use an oven-safe skillet for seamless stovetop-to-oven cooking.

Keywords: chicken breast, maple bourbon glaze, pecan crust, easy dinner, sweet and savory chicken, baked chicken recipe

Find it online: https://stirringwithstella.com/maple-bourbon-pecan-chicken-recipe/