Contest Winning Crispy Chicken Fingers Recipes

CRISPY CHICKEN FINGERS

Steps:

• Cut the chicken lengthwise into 3/4-inch-wide strips. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Whisk the milk, cayenne, eggs and a pinch of salt and pepper in another shallow dish until combined. Put the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish.
• Dredge the chicken fingers in the flour, shaking off the excess, then dip into the egg mixture, and finally coat with the panko breadcrumbs, pressing to help adhere well. Set aside on a piece of wax paper or a baking sheet.
• Heat about 1/2 inch of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry the chicken fingers, turning occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken fingers to a paper towel-lined plate to drain and season with salt. Serve with honey mustard, spicy ketchup and/or ranch dressing for dipping.

BUTTERMILK FRIED CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• To marinate the chicken: In a large sealable bag, combine the chicken tenders with the remaining marinade ingredients. Seal the bag tightly and massage the chicken until it is evenly coated with buttermilk and seasoning. Place in a bowl (in case of leakage) and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 24 hours.
• To make the breading: In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Whisk until well blended, then add the buttermilk and stir with a fork until the mixture is evenly clumpy.
• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy cleanup. Remove the chicken tenders from the marinade a few at a time and toss into the breading mixture. Be sure to press the chicken firmly into the breading so clumps adhere to the meat. (It's a messy job: use one hand to remove the wet tenders from the bag and the other to toss in the breading.) Set breaded tenders on the prepared baking sheet.
• To fry the chicken: Line another baking sheet with a few layers of paper towels and set next to the stove. Add oil to a large, high-sided pot until the level reaches about ¾-inch. Heat over medium-high heat until oil is shimmering (about 350°). (If a cube of bread sizzles when you drop it in, it's ready.) Using tongs, place several chicken tenders in the hot oil without crowding the pan. Cook until golden brown on the bottom side, a few minutes, then flip and cook until the second side is also golden, a few minutes more. Set the cooked tenders on the paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Fry remaining tenders in batches adjusting the heat as necessary (if the tenders are browning too fast, lower the heat). Serve hot.
• Note: I find that it's hard to tell how golden the chicken is when it's immersed in the oil. It may only look lightly golden, but it's actually a perfect fried chicken golden brown. If you're unsure, simply pull a tender out of the oil and rest it on the paper towels to see the true color.
• Note: Nutritional information was calculated assuming that approximately ¼ cup of the oil is absorbed into the chicken tenders when frying.
• Freezer-Friendly Instructions: The cooked chicken tenders can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, put the frozen tenders on a wire rack on top of a rimmed baking sheet and warm in a 350°F (175°C) oven until heated through and crisp, about 25 minutes, flipping halfway through.

CRISPY OVEN BAKED CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200C/390F.
• Spread panko on a baking tray, spray with oil (spray vertically to avoid blowing the panko off the tray), then bake for 3 to 5 minutes until light golden. Transfer to bowl.
• Place a rack on a baking tray (not critical but bakes more evenly).
• Place the Batter ingredients in a bowl and whisk with a fork until combined.
• Add the chicken into the Batter and toss to coat.

IDAHO-STYLE FINGER STEAKS

Steps:

• For the finger steaks: Trim the excess fat and silver skin from the steak and cut into strips about 1/2 inch wide and 2 to 3 inches long.
• Whisk together the buttermilk, Worcestershire, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon each pepper, granulated garlic, dry mustard and paprika in a large bowl. Add the steak strips to the buttermilk mixture, toss to coat, then cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• For the fry sauce: Meanwhile, whisk together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Worcestershire, vinegar, paprika, a good pinch of salt and several grinds of pepper in a medium bowl until smooth and combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 2 days.
• Fill a large Dutch oven with about 3 inches of oil. Attach a deep-fry thermometer and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Whisk together the flour, 2 teaspoons salt and the remaining 1 teaspoon each pepper, granulated garlic, dry mustard and paprika in a shallow dish. Line a plate with paper towels.
• Remove the meat from the marinade to a plate using a slotted spoon. Reserve the buttermilk mixture in the bowl. In batches, dredge the steak strips in the seasoned flour, then into the buttermilk mixture, and back again into the seasoned flour until well coated.
• Place a few battered steak strips in the hot oil. Fry, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes. Remove with a clean slotted spoon onto the prepared plate. Repeat with the remaining steak strips.
• Serve the steak fingers with fry sauce, cocktail sauce and French fries if desired.

CRISPY CHICKEN FINGERS

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, combine the sour cream, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce. In another shallow bowl, add croutons. Dip chicken strips in sour cream mixture, then coat with croutons. , Place on a greased baking sheet. Drizzle with butter. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and crispy and juices run clear. Serve with dipping sauces.