Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers is an easy recipe in which chicken breasts are cut into tenders, marinated in buttermilk and then fried to perfection.
This recipe lets you season the chicken breasts so well that each bite would be more savory than salty. Don't get started with the texture because this one is just pure perfection! So crisp and crunchy on the outside but warm, moist, and filled with tenderness on the inside! When served with a sweet and sour dipping sauce, expect an excellent meal.
For more delicious chicken recipes, check Panko Breaded Chicken Breast.
You can serve this bite-size dish at any time of the day as the main course or appetizer! It pairs well with a lot of side dishes, so you are in for a very convenient and easy meal.
Plus, this recipe is also good for finger snacks! Enjoy it while watching movies or games with family and friends! Pairing it with your favorite dipping sauce will surely make for a great game night.
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Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers
You might think this recipe is so plain and simple. But have you ever had the most savory yet crispy fried chicken at home? Don't you wanna try it with this recipe? This recipe has a lot to offer when it comes to taste and texture, and it would be a shame to skip this one!
Why Does This Recipe Work?
- This recipe has its own definition of convenient. It's quick and easy to make that simple yet delicious food can be made out of it! If you ever need a quick meal idea for lunch, this one right here is for you.
- Jump on the bandwagon, and enjoy a popular fried chicken dish using this recipe! Everyone keeps bragging about fast-food fried chicken with its crispy and juicy taste. Well, why don't you make one for yourself at home? This recipe will definitely help you out!
- Say for example you prefer one flavor of dipping sauce instead of the other. This recipe is for you! These Fried Chicken Fingers are so versatile and work well with any flavor of dipping sauce! We'll let you in on a secret, this recipe doesn't even need dipping sauce to make it taste good!
- A budget-friendly dish you can easily make at home for when you are in a tight spot. They cost too little but can feed quite a few!
- This is a kid-friendly meal; all kids love it, especially when served with french fries.
Ingredients
Chicken Breasts. Chicken breast has a firmer texture than other chicken parts, so it will hold up well when breaded and fried. Plus, it's more uniform in shape and size, which will be easier to divide into four tenders for this recipe.
Buttermilk. If you are wondering why buttermilk? Because It has acid, and that acid tenderizes the meat of the chicken, giving you moist and juicy chicken. Buttermilk also encourages crispy coating when it interacts with baking powder in this recipe! If you season your chicken with buttermilk, expect it to have a moister interior with a crisp exterior.
Hot Sauce. Hot sauce is a great flavoring for your chicken breasts! It adds a tangy and spicy taste to the chicken flesh that will pair well with the breading.
Eggs. Eggs will make sure the breading stays even during the frying process. They also serve well in keeping the chicken moist and rich in flavor!
All-Purpose Flour. All-purpose flour will provide a neutral-flavored coating that will keep the chicken crispy. Since it basically has no taste to impart, it allows the seasoning in this recipe to shine through.
Salt. Salt improves the natural taste of chicken breasts, so you must make sure this ingredient won't go missing!
Black Pepper. Using black pepper to season the chicken breading mixture adds flavor, aroma, and a spicy kick!
Paprika. Paprika goes hand in hand with black pepper in giving more desirable flavors to the coating of the chicken! This ingredient is a must if you love some warmth and spice to your classic fried chicken.
Garlic Powder. Garlic powder adds more depth to the flavor of the chicken coating! You may use onion powder instead.
Baking Powder. Like flour, baking powder ensures that your chicken actually come out as crispy.
Vegetable Oil. Fry your chickens in well-heated vegetable oil.
How to Make Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers?
One: Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then cut each chicken breast into four tenders.
Two: In a mixing bowl, mix together buttermilk and hot sauce, and then soak the chicken for 20-30 minutes.
Three: In a small bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and baking powder and in another small bowl, add the eggs.
Four: Now, take one piece of the chicken out of the buttermilk marinade and dip it into the flour mixture, then into eggs, and then back into the flour mixture. Gently shake off the excess flour. Repeat with the other chicken pieces.
Five: Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat and fry the chicken in small batches for about 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.
Top Tips!
- Season the chicken tenders in buttermilk and hot sauce ahead of time— approximately the night before you fry them. This will give your chicken enough time to be well-seasoned, and the buttermilk will have more time to tenderize your chicken to be much tender and moist.
- Don't overcrowd the pan since doing so will cause the temperature of the oil to drop, resulting in soggy and not-so-crispy chicken fingers.
- Line a plate with a paper towel. Place the fried chicken in it so that they'll be drained of excess oil.
- Use boneless and skinless chicken breast for better texture and taste.
Recipe Variations
- Use breadcrumbs along with the flour for a more delicious crunch.
- If you love cheese and chicken, you can add grated parmesan to the breading mixture so that the chicken will come out crispy AND cheesy at the same time.
- If you don't want the mellow spice that paprika and black pepper give, you may use cayenne pepper or chili powder instead for an extremely hot and spicy chicken!
Serving Suggestions
Get your favorite dipping sauce out and enjoy these Crispy Chicken Fingers! Honey mustard, ranch dressing, or BBQ sauce can go well with this recipe any time of the day! You can also serve this dish with Cabbage Salsa or Cabbage Patties or on top of Chimichurri Rice along with Pan Fried Green Beans.
If you are feeling fancy today, you can make a chicken sandwich with this recipe too. Just place your chicken in a brioche bun with lettuce and sauces, serve it with some sweet potato fries, and viola!
Storage
To store: They can be kept at room temperature for two days. You can also refrigerate them for four days in an airtight container, they will last for 3-4 days in the fridge.
Freezing: Put leftover Fried Chicken Fingers in a ziploc bag in the freezer and freeze for 1-2 months.
Recipe FAQs
Of course! You can use whole wheat flour or corn flour, whichever is available.
Yes, put the breaded chicken pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer, spray with cooking spray and bake in a pre heated oven at 210C for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
Yes, you can use breadcrumbs instead of flour or use a mixture of equal amounts of flour and breadcrumbs.
Easy chicken recipes
- Chinese Peanut Butter Chicken Recipe
- Mexican Shredded Chicken Tacos
- Easy Lime Coconut Chicken
- Chicken Katsu Curry
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Recipe
Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers
Equipment
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 4 chicken breasts , boneless skinless
- 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoon paprika
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 2 eggs
- ½ cup vegetable oil
Instructions
- Pat the chicken dry with paper towels, then cut each chicken breast into four tenders.4 chicken breasts
- In a mixing bowl, mix together buttermilk and hot sauce, and then soak the chicken for 20-30 minutes.1 cup buttermilk, 1 teaspoon hot sauce
- In a small bowl, mix flour, salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder and baking powder and in another small bowl, add the eggs.2 cups all purpose flour, ¾ teaspoon paprika, ¾ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon baking powder, 2 eggs
- Now, dip each piece of chicken into the flour mixture, then into eggs, and then back into the flour mixture. Gently shake off the excess flour.
- Heat the oil in a frying pan over medium high heat and fry the chicken in small batches for about 7-10 minutes or until golden brown.½ cup vegetable oil
Notes
- Season the chicken tenders in buttermilk and hot sauce ahead of time— approximately the night before you fry them. This will give your chicken enough time to be well-seasoned, and the buttermilk will have more time to tenderize your chicken to be much tender and moist.
- Don't overcrowd the pan since doing so will cause the temperature of the oil to drop, resulting in soggy and not-so-crispy chicken.
- Line a plate with a paper towel. Place the fried chicken in it so that they'll be drained of excess oil.
- Use boneless and skinless chicken breast for better texture and taste.
Suzie
Absolutely delicious!! I even used chicken thighs as I didn’t have breasts. A keeper!
Cari
So delicious!! I followed the recipe exactly, and they came out so perfect, juicy and crunchy!
Luann
I made the healthier version of this recipe, I baked the chicken fingers in the oven, and they were so crunchy and delicious.