Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add pecans and saute them until they are lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Set pecans aside.
Melt 5 tablespoons of butter in the same skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes.
Once the onions are done add rice to skillet and stir well. Add broth, salt, thyme, and pepper. Cover and simmer until rice is tender and all liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.
Once the rice is done stir the pecans and parsley into the mixture.