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Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders

As part of a sponsored post for Collective Bias®,  I created these Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders paired with Lipton Iced Tea as a quick and delicious meal idea. #TEArifficPairs #CollectiveBias

Chicken tenders are dipped in a coating of mayonnaise spiked with cumin, paprika and chili powder and then covered with crushed pistachios.  The smoky aioli uses the same spices as well as some olive oil and a squeeze of lemon to create the perfect dipping sauce.  These Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders is a quick and delicious meal idea any night of the week!

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders | Melanie Makes

Although Summer is drawing to a close, the season for needing quick and delicious meal ideas never ends.  Especially with the start of school just around the corner!  These Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders are an adult spin on a childhood favorite, yet will be enjoyed by your entire family.  Perfect as an appetizer, lunch or dinner, they’re packed with flavor and take just minutes to prepare.

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders | Melanie Makes

This specific day, I enjoyed them as a quick and protein-packed lunch on a bed of baby arugula.  And that dish over there on the side?  That’s just a little smoky aioli I whipped up using the same ingredients that I coated my chicken with prior to baking.  I’ve decided I’d bathe in that aioli, I love it so much.  Too much info?  Believe me, after you try it you’ll be filling your bathtub with it as well.  Or perhaps you’ll just double the recipe and serve it in a large bowl next to your chicken.  Your choice.

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders | Melanie Makes

The shopping list for this recipe is short and sweet.  Perfect for when you’re unloading and loading three small children for a quick Walmart trip.  First, I needed to make a stop for tea.  I’m a Lipton girl and have been for as long as I remember.  That iconic yellow box is easy to spy and a quick grab off the shelf.  I’ve mentioned before that I drink iced tea on a daily basis year round so being without a box in the pantry isn’t so much an option.  There’s no other beverage that goes perfectly with any meal you create like iced tea does!

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders | Melanie Makes

The other items on my grocery list?  Chicken tenders, pistachios and a jar of Hellman’s mayonnaise.  I prefer the Hellman’s with Olive Oil.  The mayo is used as a key ingredient to not only the chicken tenders but also the aioli.  Only 1 cup of mayonnaise provides so much flavor!

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders | Melanie Makes

Chicken tenders are dipped in a coating of mayonnaise spiked with cumin, paprika and chili powder and then covered with crushed pistachios.  The smoky aioli uses the same spices as well as some olive oil and a squeeze of lemon to create the perfect dipping sauce.

Yields 4

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders

10 minPrep Time

16 minCook Time

26 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

    Chicken Tenders
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1.5 pounds chicken tenders
  • 1 cup pistachios, crushed
    • Aioli
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
  • squeeze of lemon

Instructions

    Chicken Tenders
  1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  2. In a large bowl, stir together mayonnaise, salt, pepper, paprika, cumin and chili powder.
  3. Add chicken tenders to bowl and gently stir to combine.
  4. Coat both sides of each tender with crushed pistachios and arrange in a single layer on a foil lined baking sheet.
  5. Bake for 8 minutes on each side, turning once to brown both sides evenly.
    6. Aioli
  6. In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients together.
  7. Sprinkle with additional paprika prior to serving, if desired.
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https://melaniemakes.com/smoky-pistachio-crusted-chicken-tenders/

Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders | Melanie Makes

The smokiness of the mayonnaise coating the chicken combined with the salty crunch of the pistachios results in such an amazing flavor combination.  These Smoky Pistachio Crusted Chicken Tenders are sure to be a new favorite!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates says

    This is a genius idea!! Pistachios and chicken clearly belong together! It looks amazing!!
    Reply

  4. Annie @Maebells says

    Would you believe I have never had a pistachio - ever! Clearly that needs to change! We do almond crusted chicken often, but this sounds like a great way to change things up!
    Reply

    • melanie says

      Hi, Glenda - I don't have a calorie count available but you should be able to plug the ingredient list into an online calculator to get the information you need.
      Reply

    • melanie says

      Hi, Gigi - thanks for the kind words! As this was a sponsored post, one of the requirements was to shop at Walmart for the key ingredients.
      Reply

    • melanie says

      Thanks so much, Matt! They were a hit with everyone at our house, including my 6 year old who loved the green color. :)
      Reply

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