Sautéed Chicken with Maple-Balsamic Glaze and Toasted Pecans
Tender chicken breasts cooked in a rich maple-balsamic glaze, topped with crunchy toasted pecans for a delightful sweet and tangy flavor combination. This american-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs maple syrup, balsamic vinegar, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 2, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 pieces (6 oz each) boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup pecans, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Pat dry 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (6 oz each) and season evenly with 1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper on both sides.
- Step 2: Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken breasts and sauté for 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through (internal temperature 165°F).
- Step 3: Remove chicken from skillet and set aside on a plate, tented with foil to keep warm.
- Step 4: Reduce heat to medium, add 2 minced garlic cloves to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
- Step 5: Pour in 3 tbsp maple syrup and 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, stirring continuously and scraping up any browned bits from the pan. Cook the glaze for 3-4 minutes until it thickens and coats the back of a spoon.
- Step 6: Add 1/4 cup chopped pecans to the glaze and cook for 1 minute until toasted and aromatic.
- Step 7: Return the chicken to the skillet, spoon the glaze and pecans over the top, and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes to heat through and meld flavors.
- Step 8: Serve the chicken breasts garnished with the maple-balsamic pecan glaze.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Sautéed Chicken with Maple-Balsamic Glaze and Toasted Pecans take to make?
Total time is about 30 minutes (10 min prep + 20 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Sautéed Chicken with Maple-Balsamic Glaze and Toasted Pecans?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep maple syrup from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Sautéed Chicken with Maple-Balsamic Glaze and Toasted Pecans?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Sautéed Chicken with Maple-Balsamic Glaze and Toasted Pecans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 2 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 2). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Sautéed Chicken with Maple-Balsamic Glaze and Toasted Pecans?
American chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
