Easy Pecan Chocolate Thins

1/2 cup butter, softened (no substitutes)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup flour
4 ounces pecans, lightly toasted, minced and cooled (1 cup)
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips (optional)

Set oven to 400 degrees (set oven rack to middle position).
In a bowl using an electric mixer, beat butter, brown sugar and salt until light and fluffy (about 4 minutes).
Beat in egg and vanilla until just combined.
Sift the flour over the batter, then fold into the batter.
Fold in minced pecans and chocolate chips (if using).
Drop by level 1/2 teaspoons batter leaving about 2-inches apart.
Bake for about 5-6 minutes or until pale golden around edges.
Carefully loosen hot cookies with a metal spatula and transfer to racks to cool (if cookies become to firm to remove without breaking, just return to oven for a cople of seconds to soften).