A Southern Grace: in case you didn't believe me...

October 27, 2014

in case you didn't believe me...

Yum

Need further proof of my love for nuts? You've got it.


While my previous post mentioned that I like pecans in salads (and pies, though that went without saying), it turns out that they're pretty tasty paired with chicken too. I got this recipe from Southern Living Superfast Southern: Comfort Food in 20 Minutes or Less!,an extremely useful cookbook filled with recipes that come together quickly and yield delicious results.

If you're feeling the effects of fall and have been craving seasonal soups, there's a great recipe for sweet potato soup that only takes 15 minutes to make. There are some great ideas for quick desserts too, everything from caramel-chocolate tartlets to deep-fried moonpies. There are pictures for every recipe and lots of helpful tips along the way.


This chicken was a hit. Instead of buying cutlets, I sliced two big breasts into three thinner pieces and it all worked out swimmingly. The toasted pecans steal the show for me, though that sweet sauce is pretty awesome too. I was afraid that the nuts would turn soggy and gross upon reheating, but no--they were still crunchy and flavorful two days later. You can't beat this dish for its simplicity--it's going into the rotation for sure.

Chicken Cutlets with Pecan Sauce
Based on a recipe from Southern Living Superfast Southern: Comfort Food in 20 Minutes or Less!
Serves 4
Ingredients:
  • 4 chicken cutlets (or 2 breasts, thinly sliced)(about 1-1/4 pound)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons butter, divided use
  • 1/2 cup pecan pieces, toasted
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
Directions:
In a shallow dish, toss together the flour, salt, pepper, and mustard.
Dredge the chicken pieces through the mixture and coat well.
Heat a saute pan over medium heat, then add the oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter.
When the butter has melted, cook the chicken 3 to 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and done.
Transfer to an oven-safe serving platter, top with pecans, and place in an oven heated to 200 degrees F to keep warm.
Add chicken broth to the skillet and cook 2 minutes, stirring to loosen the particles from the bottom.
Add the brown sugar, vinegar, and dried thyme, and cook 3 to 4 minutes or until sugar is melted and the sauce is slightly thickened.
Whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then pour the sauce over the chicken and serve.

17 comments:

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

A fabulous combination and dish!

Cheers,

Rosa

Alicia Foodycat said...

Pecan sauce! What a great idea!

Angie's Recipes said...

I tried chicken with peanuts before..have to give your recipe a try soon. It looks mouthwatering.

Erica said...

What a delicious and simple meal, Grace!The pecan sauce is a wonderful idea!

Jane said...

Looks great, this will be a first fo us.

Bianca @ Confessions of a Chocoholic said...

I never think to add nuts to chicken but I certainly won't say no to this!

Joanne said...

Could I just drink that pecan sauce?! Sounds so tasty.

Pam said...

What a delicious looking dish!

lisa is cooking said...

This is nuts! In the best way possible. The sauce with crunchy pecans sounds fantastic.

Juliana said...

I love this combination and can only imagine a bite of the tender chicken with the crunchy pecans...nice looking dish Grace.
Thanks for sharing the recipe...have a wonderful week :)

Katerina said...

I love the nutty flavor these pecans render to chicken and looks very creamy and comforting!

Choc Chip Uru @ Go Bake Yourself said...

Nutty goodness for sure, what a delicious dish :D

Cheers
Choc Chip Uru

Marjie said...

Great idea! Your chicken looks terrific.

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

I've never had a dish like this Grace (does that make me sound sheltered) but it sounds fantastic. A big nut lover too!

Savor The Baking said...

This sauce looks amazing Grace. I will definitely be giving it a try. Have a great weekend. :-)

I Wilkerson said...

This looks delicious (from another pecan lover). Good tip about the nuts reheating--I would have had the same fears you did on this.

Beth said...

What a great idea! Nice to know that it can be reheated, too. I'd love to try this recipe.