4 Irresistible Mexican Food Recipes with Pecans
With their rich buttery flavor, Pecans are a delightful addition to many dishes. In Mexican cuisine, they bring a unique twist to traditional recipes, enhancing both savory and sweet flavors. Here are four Mexican-inspired recipes that showcase the versatility of pecans.
While pecans are most commonly associated with Southern U.S. cuisine, their subtle sweetness and satisfying crunch blend beautifully with Mexican ingredients like chiles, cinnamon, chocolate, and piloncillo. This makes them ideal for everything from sauces to salsas, and even traditional desserts like capirotada or polvorones. As more home cooks look for new ways to incorporate nutrient-rich ingredients into their meals, pecans have found their place in global fusion cooking, particularly in Latin American kitchens. And here in Arizona, we have a front-row seat for delicious Mexican dishes with pecans.
Pecans are also packed with nutrients that make them more than just delicious. A one-ounce serving contains over 19 vitamins and minerals, including magnesium, thiamin, and zinc, and they’ve been shown to support heart health and reduce inflammation. In fact, recent findings from the American Society for Nutrition suggest that pecans can improve cholesterol levels and may reduce cardiovascular risk when consumed regularly. With these benefits in mind, the following recipes offer flavor and function, bringing pecans into classic Mexican dishes in creative and satisfying ways.
Chicken in Pecan and Ancho Chile Sauce
This dish combines the smoky heat of ancho chiles with the creamy richness of pecans, creating a sauce that envelops tender chicken pieces in a symphony of flavors.
The depth of flavor in this traditional dish mirrors the complexity of Mexico’s regional cooking. The pecans thicken the sauce and balance the chiles' mild heat with a natural sweetness and nutty undertone. It’s a comforting, celebratory meal—perfect for family gatherings or whenever you want to bring something warm, bold, and uniquely flavorful to the table.
Ingredients:
3 dried ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
1/2 white onion
1 unpeeled garlic clove
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup shelled pecans
6 to 8 pitted prunes
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 whole chicken (about 4 to 5 pounds), cut into 10 piecesLove and Lemons+9patijinich.com+9A Mexican Cook+9
Instructions:
Step One
Toast the ancho chiles on a hot skillet until fragrant. Char the onion and garlic until softened.patijinich.com
Step Two
Simmer the toasted chiles, pecans, and prunes in chicken broth for about 10 minutes. Blend this mixture with the charred onion and peeled garlic until smooth.patijinich.com
Step Three
Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat the oil and brown the chicken on all sides.
Step Four
Pour the pecan-chile sauce over the chicken, cover, and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes.
Serve this hearty dish with rice or warm tortillas, allowing the rich sauce to shine. Now, are you ready to move on to something sweet? If so, you’ll love this next recipe!
Mexican-Spiced Chocolate Pecans
These spiced pecans are a delightful snack. They combine the deep flavors of cocoa and cinnamon with a hint of heat from cayenne pepper.
They’re perfect for entertaining, gifting, or simply keeping on hand for a flavorful bite between meals. The balance of sweet, salty, and spicy makes them addictive in the best way, while the toasted pecans offer a satisfying crunch. Inspired by traditional Mexican flavors, this recipe combines pantry staples in a way that feels both familiar and exciting.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup cocoa powder
2 tablespoons minced dark chocolate
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1 large egg white
4 cups pecan halves
Instructions
Step One
Preheat the oven to 300°F and grease a rimmed baking sheet. In a bowl, mix the sugar, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, salt, and spices.
Step Two
In a large bowl, beat the egg white until slightly foamy. Stir in the spiced sugar mixture until a smooth batter forms.
Step Three
Fold in the pecans until evenly coated. Spread them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.
Step Four
Bake for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Let cool, breaking up any clumps.
These pecans make a perfect gift or a festive addition to your holiday snack table. But, don’t fret, we’re not done with sweet snacks with pecans. Get ready for some delicious cookies!
Mexican Wedding Cookies
These delicate cookies, known as polvorones, melt in your mouth and are a staple at celebrations. The pecans add a rich, nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with the buttery dough.
Often served at weddings, holidays, and festive gatherings, polvorones carry a sense of tradition and nostalgia in every bite. Their crumbly texture and snowy powdered sugar coating make them as visually charming as they are delicious. By incorporating toasted pecans, the cookies gain an added depth that elevates them from simple sweets to truly memorable treats.
Ingredients:
1 heaping cup pecans
1¼ cups powdered sugar, divided
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
Instructions:
Step One
Preheat the oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over low heat for about 5 minutes, then pulse in a food processor until finely ground.
Step Two
In a bowl, mix ¾ cup of the powdered sugar and set aside for rolling. In another bowl, whisk together the flour and cinnamon.
Step Three
In a stand mixer, cream the butter, remaining ½ cup powdered sugar, and salt until light and fluffy. Mix in the vanilla and almond extracts. Gradually add the flour mixture, then the ground pecans, mixing until combined.
Step Four
Scoop the dough into 1-tablespoon portions and roll into balls. Place on the prepared baking sheets. If the dough is sticky, chill for 30 minutes before rolling.
Step Five
Bake for 13 to 16 minutes, until just golden. Let the cookies cool on the baking sheets for 15 minutes, then roll them in the reserved powdered sugar. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
These cookies are perfect for holidays or whenever you crave a sweet, nutty treat. Finally, we will end today’s delectable recipe post with a final sweet treat to delight your taste buds.
Mexican Bread Pudding with Pecans
Also known as capirotada, this traditional Mexican dessert is especially popular during Lent. This bread pudding combines sweet and savory elements, with pecans adding a delightful crunch.
Each family’s version of Mexican Bread Pudding is a little different. It is often passed down through generations and tailored with favorite ingredients like dried fruits, cheese, or cloves. Including pecans not only adds texture but also enhances the richness of the syrup-soaked bread, tying the layers together with a subtle, nutty warmth. It’s a dessert that tells a story, rooted in culture, memory, and shared meals.
Ingredients:
1 loaf of day-old bolillo or French bread, sliced
1½ cups piloncillo (or dark brown sugar)
2 cups water
1 cinnamon stick
2 whole cloves
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup raisins
½ cup dried apricots or prunes, chopped
1 cup shredded mozzarella or mild white cheese
½ cup pecans, chopped and toasted
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Step One
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a baking dish with butter or oil.
Step Two
Combine the piloncillo, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and vanilla extract in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the piloncillo is fully dissolved and the syrup slightly thickens, about 10–15 minutes. Remove from heat and strain to discard the cinnamon and cloves.
Step Three
In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat and lightly toast the bread slices until golden on both sides. Set aside.
Step Four
In the prepared baking dish, layer the toasted bread slices, then sprinkle with raisins, dried fruit, cheese, and chopped pecans. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of cheese and pecans on top.
Step Five
Slowly pour the warm syrup over the layered ingredients, allowing it to soak through the bread. Press gently with a spatula to ensure even absorption.
Step Six
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the top is golden and the cheese is melted.
Step Seven
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Capirotada can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.
This deeply comforting dish is more than just dessert—it’s a cultural experience. The toasted pecans bring a satisfying crunch that contrasts beautifully with the soft, syrup-soaked bread and melted cheese. Whether you serve it during Lent or as a year-round indulgence, capirotada is a sweet way to celebrate heritage and flavor.
Celebrate Mexican Tradition and Flavor with Pecans in Every Bite
Mexican cuisine is filled with warmth, history, and vibrant flavor—and when you add pecans to the mix, you get something truly special. Whether simmering chicken in a bold ancho chile sauce or baking crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth polvorones, pecans bring a rich depth and buttery texture that complements traditional Mexican ingredients' spices, sweetness, and heartiness. These four recipes are just the beginning of what’s possible when you blend cultural heritage with culinary creativity.
If you're inspired to explore even more ways to use pecans in global dishes, check out our article on fusion flavor with pecans and Indian recipes. It’s another great example of how this American nut continues to cross culinary borders and win hearts worldwide. So grab a handful of pecans and bring a little extra joy to your next home-cooked Mexican meal.