These Honey Pecan Chicken Breasts are sweet, savory and buttery. They will instantly become one of your favorite chicken dishes. They cook all in a skillet and are so easy to prepare, you can have dinner on the table in under 30 minutes. Kids just love this combination so this honey butter chicken is perfect for a mid-week meal! But just look how beautiful it is you can easily serve this if you are entertaining or for Saturday date night.
This honey pecan chicken recipe uses 2 large chicken breasts to serve 4 people. By filleting the chicken breasts you can create 4 perfect fillets.
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How to Fillet a Chicken Breast
To turn your large chicken breasts into fillets:
- Lay your chicken breast flat on the board.
- Use a large sharp knife to cut sideways through the breast.
- Continue to cut through the chicken breast, keeping the knife flat and parallel to the chopping board.
- Carefully cut through until you have two plump fillets.
How long to cook chicken fillets for?
Because the chicken breasts have cut in half, they will cook much quicker than a standard chicken breast.
I cook my chicken fillets for 4 minutes on each side and then tent them in foil whilst I make the sauce.
Tenting it with foil, helps to keep it warm and it also allows the chicken to rest, so the juices all relax back into the meat. This will give you a nice juicy chicken fillet.
How to make the honey butter sauce
Once the chicken is resting, gently melt the butter and honey together in the same fry pan. Keep it over a low heat so the honey melts into the butter and nothing starts to burn. Once it is bubbling, add in the pecans and stir gently to coat with the sticky butter sauce.
Once everything is combined plate up your chicken and spoon the sauce over your fillets. Honey Pecan Chicken ready to serve!
What to serve with your Honey Pecan Chicken.
This isn't a super saucy chicken dish so I would suggest serving this with a green salad and some roasted root veg or this Roasted Rutabaga.
Alternatively make this Whipped Sweet Potato Mash with Pecans.
Which wine to serve with honey pecan chicken
The sweet sauce on this chicken can be hard to pair with a wine. I would suggest a pinot noir, a lighter one...maybe New Zealand or Californian.
If red isn't your thing then try a lightly oaked chardonnay. The rich flavour of chardonnay would be fabulous with the butter and the mild oaky undertones will enhance the nuts. Such great suggestion from Shelby at Grumpy HoneyBunch
Enjoy x
Why not pin this recipe for Honey Pecan Chicken Breasts with pecans for later. Pin it here
Honey Pecan Chicken Breasts
Ingredients
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breast
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon pepper
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- ½ stick butter
- 3 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon pecan pieces
- Flaked sea salt
Instructions
- Lay your chicken breast flat on the board.
- Use a large sharp knife to cut sideways through the breast.
- Continue to cut through the chicken breast, keeping the knife flat and parallel to the chopping board.
- Carefully cut through until you have two plump fillets.
- Repeat with the second chicken breast and season the fillets with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a fry pan over a medium heat, once it gets shimmering add the chicken breast fillets and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side.
- Remove the chicken to a plate and tent them with foil to keep warm and to rest.
- Melt the butter and honey together in your fry pan. Once it is bubbling, add in the pecans and stir gently.
- Once everything is coated, remove the foil and drizzle the sticky pecan sauce over the chicken.
- Season with flaked sea salt and serve immediately.
Marlee says
What a delicious recipe! I absolutely love honey and pecan with the chicken! Absolutely perfect with roasted vegetables!
Claire McEwen says
Oh thank you Marlee, it is so simple but just soooo good 😀
Wajeeha says
Claire this sounds so so delicious (and looks like it too) and super easy to make too, juast as I like all my cooking! 😀 Do you think it would pair nicely with some roast potatoes? Thanks!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Wajeeha.
It would definitely pair nicely with roast potatoes, as long as you don't mind them with no gravy/sauce as this isn't a very saucy dish. The sauce that is there sticks to the chicken so there is nothing to 'mop' up.
Veena Azmanov says
You got my attention with simple honey and butter. The pecans on top sound so perfect. I love the simplicity of this dish. And thanks for the detailed images. Love this.
Claire McEwen says
I am so happy they were useful 😀
Sometimes simple is best isn't 😀
Brian Jones says
I had to give these a try and they were glorious, that honey sauce with the butter coated the nuts and made them proper luscious. Served with some asparagus which just rounded things out wonderfully 🙂
Claire McEwen says
Asparagus sounds like the perfect accompaniment 😀
Natalie says
Oh my goodness these chicken breasts look so appetizing! I love the combination with the honey butter and pecan - sounds soooo good!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Natalie, it is a firm favorite of our 😀
Audrey says
I am all about this recipe! I adore pecans and this looks amazing. I can't wait to try it!
Claire McEwen says
Oh I do hope you try it Audrey. It's a keeper 😀
Jenn says
The sauce seriously has me swooning! Thank you so much for this crazy delicious recipe! It's so easy yet impressive!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jenn, it really is a simple and elegant main 😀
Christina says
Oh yum! I've never had chicken like this and I'm totally on board! Going to try it! <3
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Christina, it is a winner in our house 😀
camila hurst says
This looks absolutely delicious! What a great combo of flavors and ingredients!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Camila, it is such a great meal for a dinner with friends 😀
Jyothi(Jo) says
That sauce sounds like the best thing to put on chicken breast. Who wouldn't want to dig into it right away, the pictures are gorgeous!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jo, it is always a hit when I serve it to friends and family 😀
shelby says
I really love that sweet and savory combination. I almost feel like a chardonnay (for white lovers) would go great with this too!
Claire McEwen says
Shelby you are right, a lightly oaked chardonnay would be fabulous with the buttery toasty nuts.
I will add it to the post 😀
Thank you.
Traci says
Yum Claire...this is a brilliant idea for chicken breasts! I love the sauce idea...b/c who doesn't want honey, butter, and pecans together? Just yum! Pinning and bookmarking...thanks for sharing! 🙂
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Traci.
I know right? All the good stuff together on one plate 😀
Jill says
This chicken looks fantastic. Pinned to try!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Jill 😀
Brandi says
Your instructions on how to filet a chicken breast are so easy to follow. This recipe looks delicious. I can't wait to make it.
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Brandi, I am so happy you found it helpful. I hope you love the chicken 😀
Nellie Tracy says
This Chicken looks incredible! Mouth is watering already! Cannot wait to try it! Thanks!
Claire McEwen says
Thank you Nellie, everyone always loves it when I serve it. I hope you do too 😀