Honey Pecan Chicken

This honey pecan chicken recipe is so rich and delicious. The sauce combined with the pecans is heavenly.

1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon finely minced fresh thyme
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
6 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
olive oil for frying
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon finely minced shallots
1 cup fresh orange juice
1/4 cup bourbon, optional
1 cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon cider or white wine vinegar

1. Mix the flour, thyme, pecans, salt, and pepper and dredge the chicken breasts in the mixture.

2. Heat a small amount of olive oil in a large saute pan and cook the chicken over moderate heat until golden brown on both sides and cooked through.

3. Meanwhile, heat the butter in a saucepan over moderate heat and cook the shallots 3 to 4 minutes, until tender but not brown. Add the orange juice and the optional bourbon and continue cooking until the liquid is reduced to 1/2 cup. Add the cream and reduce until slightly thickened. Add the honey and vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

4. Spoon some of the sauce onto a plate and place the cooked chicken breast on top of the sauce. Serve additional sauce on the side.

Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Serves: 6
Calories: 457
Carbs: 16
Fat: 28 grams
Protein: 29 grams