Baked Citrus-Pecan Crusted Chicken

My only regret with this Citrus & Pecan Crusted Chicken is not taking a picture of one of the breasts sliced open. Oh my stars was this chicken juicy on the inside!

Moist on the inside, Crunch on the outside. Everything I want of my breaded chicken!

This is the first time I have breaded chicken, put it in the oven and had something acceptable to serve anyone. I can’t believe I have not been doing this the whole time!! It’s going to be so much fun experimenting with different nuts and citrus zests, I will be sure to share the winning combinations. :)

I have been trying to add extra nutrients to our food – for instance the pecans are loaded with nutritional goodness. Let me share… they contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals, they have heart-healthy fats, they aid in weight loss, they lower cholesterol, they contain more antioxidants than any other nut and a new study is showing that a handful of pecans a day may play a role in protecting the nervous system.

If I am going to coat my chicken in anything – I am thinking pecans are a pretty good choice! Not to mention the added orange zest; did you know orange peel has more vitamin c than actual orange juice? I had no idea and would have thought it to be the other way around. Plus the chipotle powder provides iron, fiber and potassium. I am seriously loving all this nutritional shtuff. :)

With all that said, let me give you the recipe already! I hope you enjoy this one. :)

Baked Citrus-Pecan Crusted Chicken
(PRINTABLE RECIPE)
Ingredients
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup pecan halves
1/4 cup plain dry breadcrumbs
1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
1 large egg white
2 tablespoons water
Directions
1. Using a mallet or small hammer, pound chicken breasts down to ½” in thickness. I place mine in between two pieces of wax paper to avoid tearing the meat.
2. Heat oven to 350.
3. Place pecans, breadcrumbs, orange zest, salt and chipotle powder in food processor and process until pecans are fully ground.
4. Mix together water and egg white. Dip each chicken breast in water mixture then into breadcrumb mixture. Place in baking pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is done. I used my cast iron pizza pan and it worked wonderful!
5. Let cool and enjoy!