Honey Pecan Fried Chicken

This decadent Southern Honey Pecan Fried Chicken is crispy, golden, and coated in a sweet pecan honey glaze that’s pure Southern comfort. Easy enough for a weeknight supper but special enough for Sunday dinner or entertaining.

Easy Honey Pecan Fried Chicken Recipe

Fried chicken wears a lot of hats, especially in the South. From classic Southern fried chicken made with bone-in pieces to crispy, homemade breaded chicken tenders the kids happily devour, fried chicken is always a welcome sight at our dinner table. In my house, if fried chicken’s on the menu, you can count on a finger-licking-good meal everyone’s excited about.

This boneless Honey Pecan Glazed Southern Fried Chicken takes things to the next level. Crispy, golden fried chicken is coated in a rich, buttery pecan honey glaze that’s equal parts sweet, nutty, and downright decadent. It’s the kind of Southern fried chicken recipe you pull out for date night, special occasions, or when you’re entertaining friends and family and want something that feels extra special without being fussy. No matter when you serve it, this dish is the definition of winner winner chicken dinner, a true Southern showstopper that never fails to impress anytime I serve it.

Checkout this quick list of key ingredients you’ll need to make Honey Butter Fried Chicken: (Scroll down for full printable recipe card.)

• Chicken – Boneless skinless chicken breasts cook quickly while remaining tender and juicy.
• Nuts – Toasted pecans give the honey butter sauce crunch, flavor and texture.
• Breading – All purpose flour and cornstarch gives the breading a crispy texture.
• Spices – Seasoned salt, black pepper, granulated garlic, paprika, onion powder, cayenne pepper.
• Buttermilk and Whole Eggs – Buttermilk and eggs are beaten together to form the egg wash.
• Butter – Salted or unsalted butter to make the pecan sauce.
• Oil – You’ll also need olive oil combined with butter to fry the chicken breasts.
• Honey – Sweet honey enhances the flavor of the sauce.

How to Make the Best Honey Pecan Fried Chicken

• Toast Pecans – Preheat oven to 350°F. Spread pecans in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 6-8 minutes or until fragrant. Set aside.
• Flatten Chicken – Use the smooth side of a meat mallet to pound to equal thickness, about 1/3-1/2 inch thick.
• Sift Dry Ingredients – Use a whisk to sift together flour, cornstarch, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic, paprika, onion powder and cayenne.
• Wet Ingredients – Whisk together buttermilk and eggs.
• Dredge Chicken Breasts – Season chicken pieces lightly with salt and pepper on both sides, then dredge in flour mixture, then into buttermilk egg mixture, then back into flour. Place in a single layer on a baking pan.
• Refrigerate – Chill chicken to set breading.
• Prepare Skillet – Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Fry Chicken – Cook chicken pieces in two batches until juices run clear. Repeat process. Remove to a platter or a pan fitted with a rack, and keep warm.
• Make the Honey Pecan Sauce – To the skillet add remaining butter and honey. Cook stirring for 1 minute scraping any brown bits from bottom of pan. Add pecans, cook another minute or just until nuts are coated.
• Serve – Drizzle chicken evenly pieces with honey pecan sauce and serve immediately.

Kitchen Equipment to Make Honey Pecan Fried Chicken

• 12-inch deep skillet.
• Measuring cups and spoons.
• Tongs to turn the chicken.
• Two shallow bowls and a fork or whisk to make the egg wash.
• Baking sheet pan and nut chopper.

Recipe Variations, Tips and Substitutions

• Bone-In Chicken – Please note, this recipe is made using boneless chicken pieces. You could certainly adapt using bone-in if that’s your preference but they will need much longer time to cook until an internal temperature of 165°F is reached.
• Chicken – This recipe can be made with smaller chunks of chicken breasts, or using chicken tenders. You could also use boneless skinless chicken thighs.
• Add the Glaze Just Before Serving – I recommend that you wait to drizzle the chicken pieces with the honey pecan sauce just before serving so the breading maintains its crunchy texture. Alternately, you can gently toss the chicken with the glaze, if preferred. Emphasis on gently so that the breading on the chicken remains intact.
• Nuts – You can adjust the amount of pecans in the glaze. It goes without saying that we love them, so I use a good amount. Feel free to adjust the amount adding more, or less, to your personal taste. You could also use walnuts.

Storage and Leftovers

• Leftovers – Store leftover Honey Pecan Fried Chicken in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheating – Reheat in a single layer on a sheet pan in a preheated 350°F oven for a few minutes or in the microwave in single servings. Please note, the breading will soften after being chilled. Heat the honey-pecan sauce separately in a saucepan over low heat. 
• Freezer – You can freeze the chicken and sauce separately for up to 1 month. Thaw in the fridge and reheat separately just before serving.

More Southern Style Chicken Recipes to Make

Chicken is typically a budget friendly option to make, so it’s no wonder it’s one of the most searched for recipe topics online. If you want chicken, I’ve got you! A few other easy chicken recipes you may enjoy making:

• Skillet Fried Chicken with Bacon Gravy is comfort food made right on the stovetop.
• Checkout this foolproof method for making Spatchcock Chicken.
• Pepperoni Pizza Chicken will please the carb lovers with a side of pasta and the low carb family members, too.
• Nashville Hot Chicken Strips are brushed with a homemade chili oil and served with sliced bread and dill pickles.
• Southern Fried Chicken and Waffles are classic!
• Lemon Butter Chicken with Tarragon is restaurant quality you can make in minutes at home.
• Go lighter with this Air Fryer Chicken Sandwich.
• You may also like this recipe for Easy Chicken Fried Rice from Averie Cooks

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Helpful Kitchen Items: 

• Cast Iron Skillet
• Measuring Set
• Mixing Bowls
• Saucepan