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    Home » Appetizers and Snacks Recipes

    Published: Jun 16, 2016 · Modified: Jan 24, 2021 by Renée · This post may contain affiliate links · 14 Comments

    Easy Baked Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tenders

    Jump to Recipe

    Baked Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tenders can be served as a main course or an appetizer. They're moist and meaty, and their crunchy coating is like a party for your mouth!

    Chicken Tenders with Pretzel Coating

    Wondering what to do with all the crumbs and broken pretzel pieces at the bottom of the bag? Or, do you have party pretzel leftovers that you don't want to put back in the pantry? Making these Baked Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tenders is a tasty solution to either of those problems and will also turn simple crumbs into something spectacular!

    Chicken Tenders with Pretzel Pecan Coating

    One of the things that make these Baked Pretzel Pecan Chicken Tenders so moist and flavorful is marinade of Dijon mustard, honey, and white wine the chicken bathes in before it's tossed and coated with the pretzel and pecan crumbs. If you're in a hurry, it may seem like a step you'd like to skip, but I urge you to take the extra time (30 minutes to be exact) to let the chicken soak in all the sticky, sweet goodness. Trust me; you'll be happy you did.

    Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tenders

    The following step-by-step photos demonstrate how easy it is to make Baked Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tenders:

    Pulse pretzels and pecans together in a food processor to form coarse crumbs.

    Making Pretzel Pecan Coating

    Transfer the crumbs into a zip top bag and set aside. Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl. Pour the marinade (Dijon mustard, honey and white wine) over the chicken. Mix well, and allow the chicken to marinate for 30 minutes.

    Marinating Chicken Tenders

    Add salt and pepper to the chicken and use tongs to add the marinated chicken into the bag with the pretzel pecan crumbs. Close the bag and toss to coat the tenders evenly.

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    Coating chicken tenders with pretzels and pecans

    Line a baking sheet with a baking rack and lay the coated chicken tenders in a single layer. Bake the tenders in a preheated 350 degree oven. Serve with honey mustard dipping sauce.

    Baked Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tender Recipe

    Printable Recipe Card

    Chicken Tenders with Pretzel Pecan Coating

    Baked Pretzel Pecan Coated Chicken Tenders

    Renee Goerger
    These deliciously crunchy tenders can serve double duty as an appetizer or main course.
    Have you made this recipe?Please Comment and Rate
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save recipe Save this recipe
    Prep Time 35 minutes mins
    Cook Time 30 minutes mins
    Calories

    Ingredients
      

    For the chicken tenders

    • 2 pounds chicken tenders
    • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 2 tablespoons honey
    • 1 tablespoon white wine
    • 3 cups pretzel twists
    • 1 cup pecan halves
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ teaspoon pepper

    For the dipping sauce

    • ½ cup mayonnaise
    • 1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
    • 1½ tablespoons honey

    Tools and equipment

    • food processor
    • large bowl
    • tongs
    • small bowl
    • baking sheet
    • baking rack
    • large zip top bag
    • cooking spray
    Get Recipe Ingredients

    Instructions
     

    • Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl.
    • In a small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons Dijon, 2 tablespoons honey, and the white wine.
    • Pour the mustard mixture over the chicken tenders and allow to marinate for 30 minutes.
    • Meanwhile, add the pretzels and pecans to the food processor and pulse until coarse crumbs form.
    • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
    • Pour the crumbs into a large zip top bag along with the salt and pepper. Close the bag and shake well.
    • Add the marinated chicken tenders to the crumbs in the bag, close and shake to coat the chicken with the crumbs.
    • Add a baking rack into a baking sheet.
    • Lay the coated chicken tenders in an even layer on the baking rack that has been sprayed with cooking spary.
    • Bake in a preheated oven for 30-35 minutes.
    • While the chicken bakes, mix together the dipping sauce ingredients and serve with the cooked pretzel pecan chicken tenders.
     Baked Pretzel Pecan Chicken Tenders

    People of any age will enjoy these chicken tenders. However, if you wish to partake in a glass of wine you must be "Aged to Perfection." I painted this wine glass to represent a wooden wine barrel. It's a fun and whimsical wine glass that makes a perfect birthday gift for any wine lover who's celebrating those all too familiar milestone birthdays. 😉

    Aged to Perfection Wine Barrel Hand Painted Wine Glass

    Each and every glassware item I ship is painted to order and unique. Personalization is always free. All of my glassware items are dishwasher safe as well as being non-toxic. If you're looking for something custom and unique, I can paint that for you. Please contact me with your idea and we can work together to design a one of a kind glassware item you won't find anywhere else. All prices are dependent on design detail. To view additional items, please feel free to visit my shops: Etsy, Wazala, and Kudos Kitchen Paints. From glassware to fabrics...What can I paint for you?

    Kudos Kitchen by Renée ~ Where food, art, and fun collide each and every day!

    Until we eat again, I hope you have a delicious day!

    Kudos Kitchen Custom Signature 

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    1. Barbara A. Uhler says

      October 18, 2020 at 8:33 am

      Anxious to try but I need to know, what can I use instead of the wine?
      Please tell me something else can be used. The recipe sounds great.
      Thank you so very much. Barbara

      Reply
      • Renée says

        October 18, 2020 at 8:57 am

        Hi, Barbara!
        How about a little apple cider vinegar or even lemon juice?
        The wine is used for the acidity but the vinegar or lemon juice will have the same effect.
        I hope this helps. Enjoy the recipe. 🙂
        Take good care,
        Renee

        Reply
    2. Angie | Big Bear's Wife says

      July 25, 2016 at 3:04 pm

      I love chicken that's baked like this! I had a fried in college that use to bake chicken kind of like this and this just brought back so many awesome memories! I love the pretzels in there! (in there, on there)

      Reply
    3. Lauren @ Hall Nesting says

      June 20, 2016 at 2:42 pm

      Pretzel chicken tenders are my favorite! I've never added pecans though!

      Reply
    4. Isabelle @ Crumb says

      June 19, 2016 at 9:16 pm

      I love this idea.... I don't think I'd even need a dipping sauce for these, because the whole pretzel and pecan combo sounds like it would be flavourful enough on its own. These are totally going on the menu next week!

      Reply
    5. Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says

      June 18, 2016 at 12:39 pm

      YUM, this sounds like such a great ingredient combo!

      Reply
    6. carrie @ frugal foodie mama says

      June 18, 2016 at 11:26 am

      I just love the pretzel coating on these chicken tenders! Such a tasty change from the usual breading on chicken tenders. 🙂

      Reply
    7. Kim Beaulieu says

      June 18, 2016 at 12:32 am

      I wish I was noshing on this right this very minute. I bet the flavour is out of this world.

      Reply
    8. Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says

      June 17, 2016 at 9:00 pm

      My family loves pretzels, so this is a perfect use for the bags we go thru! Looks so crunchy, and i know my family would love it!

      Reply
    9. Patricia @ Grab a Plate says

      June 17, 2016 at 7:30 pm

      Holy guacamole do these tenders look amazing! I can imagine the crunch! I love that you've suggested using the crumbs from the bottom of the bag -- great idea 🙂

      Reply
    10. The Food Hunter says

      June 17, 2016 at 4:51 pm

      what a super fun idea...I love it.

      Reply
    11. Krista says

      June 17, 2016 at 1:52 pm

      I love how your crusted this chicken! The flavor will be delicious!

      Reply
    12. Sheena says

      June 17, 2016 at 1:34 pm

      I love pretzels, so I know this recipe would be a new favorite! So delicious!

      Reply
    13. Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says

      June 17, 2016 at 12:51 pm

      Normally I throw out those pretzel crumbs but not anymore!! This is a great idea! I love anything "pretzel" - my fave 🙂

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Renee! I've been a passionate home cook for over 40 years. I specialize in easy-to-make comfort food dishes from appetizers to desserts and everything in between.

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