Baked Pecan-Crusted Chicken Tenders

Process:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. In a food processor, pulse pecans until fine as breadcrumbs. Mix pecans along with panko, garlic powder, cayenne and salt in a shallow bowl.
3. In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs until smooth. And finally, in a third shallow bowl add flour.
4. Lightly season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Working with one chicken tender at a time, dip in eggs, flour and then pecan mixture. (be sure to press the pecan mixture onto the chicken to be sure it is completely coated.) Set chicken on a baking sheet lined with a cooling rack or parchment paper. Repeat with remaining chicken.
5. Place chicken on center rack and bake for 20 minutes, until golden brown and cooked through.
6. While chicken is baking prepare buttermilk ranch dressing by combining all ingredients in a small bowl and whisking until smooth.
7. Serve pecan-crusted chicken tenders warm. If desired, pair with with buttermilk ranch dip.

*Nutritional do not account for buttermilk ranch dip