Sesame Pecan Chicken Tenders with Apricot Dipping Sauce

Elevate your chicken tender game with these irresistible Sesame Pecan Chicken Tenders paired with a tangy-sweet Apricot Dipping Sauce. Perfectly crispy and oven-baked to golden perfection, these tenders feature a crunchy coating made from finely chopped pecans, nutty sesame seeds, and panko breadcrumbs. Seasoned with a touch of paprika and garlic powder, the chicken is tender and flavorful with every bite. The apricot dipping sauce, a luscious blend of apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce, adds the perfect balance of sweetness and zing. Ready in under 45 minutes, this recipe is an ideal crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners, game day spreads, or family-friendly meals. Serve these crunchy, flavorful tenders fresh out of the oven alongside the dipping sauce for a meal that's as satisfying as it is easy to make. Keywords: sesame pecan chicken tenders, apricot dipping sauce, oven-baked chicken tenders, nutty coating, family-friendly meal.

Nutriscore Rating: 57/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:45 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb Chicken tenders
• 0.75 cup Pecans
• 0.25 cup Sesame seeds
• 0.5 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup All-purpose flour
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tbsp Milk
• 1 tsp Salt
• 0.5 tsp Black pepper
• 0.5 tsp Paprika
• 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
• 0.5 cup Apricot preserves
• 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp Soy sauce

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.

Step 2

In a food processor, pulse the pecans until finely chopped but not powdered. Mix the chopped pecans with sesame seeds and panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish.

Step 3

In another shallow dish, whisk the flour with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.

Step 4

In a third shallow dish, beat the eggs with the milk until combined.

Step 5

Pat the chicken tenders dry with a paper towel. Dredge each tender in the flour mixture, shaking off the excess.

Step 6

Dip the floured chicken tenders into the beaten eggs, ensuring they’re fully coated.

Step 7

Finally, press the chicken tenders into the sesame-pecan mixture, coating them evenly on all sides. Place them on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 8

Spray the coated tenders lightly with cooking spray or brush with a little oil to help them crisp up in the oven.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature should reach 165°F/74°C).

Step 10

While the tenders are baking, prepare the apricot dipping sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together apricot preserves, Dijon mustard, and soy sauce until smooth.

Step 11

Once the chicken tenders are fully cooked, serve them hot with the apricot dipping sauce on the side for dipping.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(965.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2951.3

Total Fat 167.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 24.4g
Cholesterol 601.5mg	0%
Sodium 5996.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 238.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 16.6g	0%
Total Sugars 97.3g
Protein 121.7g	0%

Vitamin D 95.0IU	0%
Calcium 261.7mg	0%
Iron 13.9mg	0%
Potassium 1881.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.2%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 32.3%