Sometimes, the best chicken recipes are the simplest. This air fryer pecan crusted chicken takes ordinary chicken breast and transforms it into something crunchy, flavorful, and satisfying.
With a golden pecan coating and juicy inside, it’s an easy way to make dinner feel special without an extra effort.
This recipe for pecan crusted chicken is air fried, which means less oil and quicker cooking. It’s a wholesome, quick dinner that works for busy weeknights but also feels right at home on the weekend table.
If you love breaded chicken, you might also enjoy our cornflake chicken and crispy panko chicken recipe.
Table of Contents
It's a winner..
- Crispy coating without deep frying, the air fryer locks in crunch with minimal oil.
- Nutty flavor, pecans add a rich taste that pairs beautifully with chicken breast.
- Quick dinner ready in under 30 minutes, perfect for weeknights.
- Simple ingredients, no hard-to-find items, just pantry basics and pecans.
🧅 Ingredients
- Chicken breast: boneless, skinless chicken breast works best for even cooking.
- Pecans: finely chopped for a crunchy coating.
- Breadcrumbs: helps bind the pecans and creates extra crispness.
- Dijon mustard: used for dredging so the coating sticks.
- Worcestershire sauce
- Seasonings: salt, pepper, garlic powder, Italian seasoning.
- Olive oil: helps the crust turn golden in the air fryer.
🧑🍳 How to make air fryer pecan crusted chicken
See printable recipe card at the end of this post for ingredient quantities and full instructions!
- Marinate the chicken: combine olive oil Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt and seasoning in a bowl to make a marinade.
- Toss the chicken cutlets in the marinade till well coated then cover and let it rest for about 15 mins.
- Chop the pecans into fine crumbs. You can use a food processor for this. If using a food processor, be careful not to over process it or it will turn to pecan butter. Use the pulse button. Combine the pecans crumbs with breadcrumbs.
- Coat the chicken by pressing each into the pecan mixture until fully coated..
- Transfer to the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the coated chicken with cooking spray.
- Cook at 380°F for 15–18 minutes, flipping halfway, until the chicken is golden and reaches 165°F internally.
Serve: Let it rest for a few minutes before slicing.
Serve with
- A crisp side salad with vinaigrette and you've got yourself a tasty pecan crusted chicken salad just like you'd get at TGIF's.
- Roasted vegetables like green beans or carrots
- Mashed potatoes or cauliflower mash for a hearty side.
- Rice pilaf or quinoa.
How to store and Reheat
- Refrigerate: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Reheat: Use the air fryer at 350°F for 4–5 minutes to bring back the crispiness.
- Freeze: Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly from frozen in the air fryer.
🤩 Tips
- Use finely chopped pecans so the coating sticks better.
- Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket; cook in batches if needed.
- Check the chicken with a meat thermometer to avoid overcooking.
- A quick spray of oil before cooking ensures an even golden crust.
FAQs
Yes, boneless chicken thighs work well, though cooking time may be slightly longer.
No, they’ll toast as the chicken cooks, giving you the perfect nutty flavor.
I haven't tried it without breadcrumbs.
Honey mustard, mayocue, ranch, or a simple garlic aioli pair perfectly.
Air fryer pecan crusted chicken is a quick dinner that proves weeknight meals don’t have to be plain.
With juicy chicken breast inside and a crunchy pecan crust outside, it’s a recipe that’s both easy and memorable. Try it once, and it might just become a regular on your table.
Did you enjoy this recipe? We'd love to hear from you. Let us know with a comment and a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating.
Don't forget to hit the share buttons to share the recipe and spread the love with family and friends.
Thanks for stopping by! For more easy chicken recipes, sign up for our free newsletter and connect with us on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.
Let's get cooking!
Love it? Pin it!
Air fryer pecan crusted chicken
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast (cut into cutlets)
- ½ cup pecans
- ¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 3 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Marinate the chicken: Whisk olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and Italian herbs in a bowl. Add the chicken cutlets, turning them until coated well. Cover and let rest for about 15 minutes so the flavors soak in.
- Make the crust: Chop the pecans into small bits. Stir together with panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. This will be the coating.
- Bread the chicken: Remove chicken from the marinade and shake off any excess. Press each piece firmly into the pecan mixture so the crust sticks to both sides.
- Air fryer directions
- Arrange chicken in a single layer. Cook at 380°F (190°C) for 9–10 minutes. Flip and continue for 7–8 minutes, or until golden brown and the thickest part of the chicken reaches 165°F.
- Oven directions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and place the coated chicken on top. Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until crisp and cooked through.
- Let the chicken rest for 2–3 minutes before slicing. Serve hot with your favorite salad, roasted vegetables, or mashed potatoes.
Notes
- Chopping the pecans finely keeps the coating from falling off during cooking.
- A quick spray of oil over the chicken helps achieve that golden crunch.
- If you like stronger flavor, add a pinch of cayenne or smoked paprika to the coating.
- Chicken tenders can be used instead of cutlets, just reduce cooking time by a few minutes.
- Leftovers reheat best in the air fryer to bring back the crunch.
