Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders and Salad with Tangy Maple Dressing

This one is super, super easy! One quick tip though...don't overheat the oil...I heat it on the stove at a medium-low heat...you won't dry out or burn the chicken. Can also be served without the salad...using a different side(s) of choice.
Submitted: Lindsay Rincon

Pecan Crusted Chicken Tenders and Salad with Tangy Maple Dressing

(A 30-minute meal courtesy of Rachael Ray)

Ingredients

· Vegetable oil, for frying

· 1 1/3 to 2 pounds chicken tenders

· Salt and freshly ground black pepper

· 1 cup all-purpose flour

· 2 eggs, beaten with a splash of milk or water

· 1 cup plain bread crumbs

· 1 cup pecans, processed in food processor to finely chop

· 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, freshly grated or ground

· 1 orange, zested

Dressing:

· 1/4 cup maple syrup

· 1/4 cup tangy barbecue sauce

· 1 navel orange, juiced

· 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil

· Salt and freshly ground black pepper

· 3 hearts romaine lettuce, chopped

· 6 radishes, thinly sliced

· 6 scallions, trimmed and chopped on an angle

Directions

Heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches of oil over medium high heat. Season chicken tenders with salt and pepper. Set out 3 shallow dishes. Place flour in 1 dish, eggs beaten with water or milk in a second. In the third dish, combine bread crumbs with ground pecans, nutmeg and orange zest. Coat tenders in batches in flour, then egg, then bread crumb mixture. Fry tenders in small batches 6 to 7 minutes. Drain tenders on paper towels.

Combine maple syrup, barbecue sauce and orange juice in a bowl. Whisk in oil and season with salt and pepper.

Combine romaine, radishes and scallions in a large salad bowl or on a serving platter. Toss with 3/4 of the dressing. Season with salt and pepper, to your taste. Top salad with pecan crusted chicken tenders and drizzle remaining dressing over top.

Beverage suggestion: serve cran-raspberry apple juice over ice and top with a splash of soda water.