Description
At its core, this dish is a premium entree salad designed to elevate standard greens into a gourmet dining experience. Instead of basic grilled protein, this recipe features chicken breasts coated in a mixture of finely chopped pecans and breadcrumbs, creating a deeply satisfying crunch that mimics fried chicken but with a rich, buttery undertone.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Pecan-Crusted Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
- ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Salad
- 6 cups mixed salad greens
- 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup pecan halves, toasted
For the Maple Dijon Vinaigrette
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 1½ tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ tsp salt
- ⅛ tsp black pepper
Instructions
1. Prepare the Chicken
- Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally to create thinner cutlets.
- In a shallow bowl, combine chopped pecans, panko breadcrumbs, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Dip each chicken piece into the beaten egg, then coat thoroughly in the pecan mixture.
2. Cook the Chicken
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Cook chicken for 5–7 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through.
- Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
3. Make the Dressing
- In a small bowl or jar, whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Assemble the Salad
- Arrange mixed greens in a large serving bowl or platter.
- Top with sliced pears, dried cranberries, goat cheese, red onion, and toasted pecans.
- Add sliced pecan-crusted chicken on top.
5. Serve
- Drizzle with the maple Dijon vinaigrette just before serving.
- Toss lightly or serve with dressing on the side.
Notes
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 salad bowl
- Calories: 520 kcal
Keywords: Fall pecan chicken salad, autumn chicken pear salad, pecan crusted chicken salad with pears