Description
This Honey Pecan Chicken Breast recipe offers a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with tender chicken breasts seared to golden perfection and topped with a luscious honey-pecan sauce. It’s an easy stovetop dish that’s both elegant and comforting, ideal for a quick weeknight dinner or a special occasion meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce and Topping
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (or 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme)
Instructions
- Season the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season both sides evenly with salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, ensuring the spices coat the meat thoroughly for a flavorful base.
- Sear the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Place the chicken breasts in the pan and cook for 4–5 minutes per side or until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F. Remove the chicken and set aside on a plate.
- Prepare the Sauce: Lower the heat to low and add the butter to the same skillet. Once melted, stir in the honey, Dijon mustard, soy sauce, and thyme leaves, combining them well to form a smooth sauce.
- Add Pecans and Simmer: Mix the chopped pecans into the sauce and allow it to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes, letting it thicken slightly and flavors to meld.
- Return Chicken and Coat: Place the cooked chicken breasts back into the skillet and spoon the honey pecan sauce over each piece. Simmer for an additional 2–3 minutes to infuse the chicken with the sauce flavors and heat through.
- Serve: Serve hot, spooning extra sauce and pecans from the skillet onto the chicken for maximum flavor and texture.
Notes
- Pairs wonderfully with rice, creamy mashed potatoes, or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Toast pecans before adding to the sauce to enhance their crunch and nutty flavor.
- For a flavor variation, substitute honey with maple syrup to add a deeper, more complex sweetness.
