Popcorn Pretzel Chicken Tenders Recipes

AWESOME PRETZEL CHICKEN TENDERS WITH SPICY HONEY DIJON SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine basil, oregano, granulated garlic, salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Place buttermilk and half the spice mix into a double-lined resealable plastic bag. Add chicken and massage bag until well coated. Refrigerate 6 to 12 hours. Reserve remaining spice mix.
• Place almonds in plastic bag. Break up with rolling pin or mallet (flat side) until mixture looks part rough chopped part crumbs. Remove almonds and place into shallow bowl. Put pretzels in same bag and mash with mallet or rolling pin until it looks like a mixture of large breadcrumbs and powder. Add to almonds mix to combine.
• In a large fry pan, pour canola oil until it measures about 1 1/2 -inches high in pan. Heat over high, until oil is hot, but not smoking, temperature, 350 degrees.
• Remove tenders from buttermilk and dredge in almond-pretzel mixture, pressing mixture into the tenders. Gently add tenders, in batches, to the oil. Be sure not to over crowd the pan. Fry tenders until they are dark golden brown, being careful not to burn, about 5 minutes or until cooked through. Remove and drain on a cookie sheet lined with a wire rack. Serve immediately with Spicy Honey Dijon Sauce or keep warm in a 200 degree F oven.
• In a small food processor, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use.

PRETZEL-CRUSTED CHICKEN STRIPS

Steps:

• Mix the brown mustard, mayonnaise and honey in a small bowl. Add 1 cup of the mixture to a shallow bowl. Reserve the rest for serving. Place the flour in another shallow bowl, then spread the pretzel crumbs on a plate.
• Season the chicken tenders with the salt. Coat each chicken tender in flour, then dunk in the honey-mustard mixture and coat in the pretzels; set aside on a large plate.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat until melted and hot. Add half of the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove to a rack placed over a sheet pan. Repeat with the remaining butter, oil and chicken.
• Serve alongside the reserved honey mustard.