So I wanted an easy, quick, and delicious dinner that I could put together without being in the kitchen forever. I was already tired, but I forced myself to get up and cook. I wanted fried chicken specifically, but I didn't feel like dealing with the oil. Standing and frying was not an option, lol. God put before my eyes this idea, and helped me with the amazing recipe! They're crunch, crispy, juice, and oh so tender! You'll never know that they were fried, and your guest will be asking for the recipe! So without further adieu, I present to you my Southern "Fried" Chicken Tenders!
Cooking Temperature: 375*F
Tools: Baking Sheet, Parchment Paper, 3 Pans for dredging station
Cooking Time: 40-50 minutes or until cooked all the way through
Makes: 16 tenders, or feeds a family of 4 well
INGREDIENTS
Seasoning for chicken
1 teaspoon of garlic powder
1 teaspoon of seasoned salt
2 teaspoons of kosher sea salt
A few cracks of fresh black pepper, or to taste
1/2 teaspoons of garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon of chili powder
A light shake of cayenne pepper powder
1 tsp of parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon of poultry seasoning
1/2 teaspoon of paprika
1 package of chicken breast tenderloins
+ 2 1/2 heaping cup of flour
+ 1 8oz container of Panko Bread Crumbs
+4 eggs
+1/2 cup of whole milk
+extra kosher sea salt, pepper, and dried parsley flakes
+vegetable oil
Preheat your oven to 375*F. Fit parchment paper to a baking sheet, then set aside.
Mix together your seasonings: garlic powder, seasoned salt, kosher sea salt, black pepper, garlic salt, chili powder, cayenne pepper powder, 1 teaspoon of parsley, poultry seasoning, paprika, then set aside. NOTE: the majority of the seasoning mix should go on the chicken, you'll just need a few pinches to go into each part of the dredging station(you can always double the seasoning recipe! This yielded enough for me, but we all have different tastes! :) ).
In a pan pour in the all purpose flour add a few extra pinches of kosher salt and pepper along with a few pinches of the seasoning mix into the flour. Next, pour in the eggs and whole milk into another pan and add a few pinches of the seasoning mix and a couple extra pinches of kosher salt and pepper. And lastly, do the same with the panko bread crumbs, also add a few dashes of dried parsley flakes.
Drink your chicken tenders off with a paper towel, then pour over the rest of the seasoning mix and massage gently but be sure that the chicken is covered with those seasonings!
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
First start by lightly dredging your tenders in flour, shake off the excess. Then, dip your beaten eggs covering all sides, and again let the excess drip off.
2. (PRO TIP: To help your hands from getting gunky, try to keep on hand dry and on hand wet. I would use your dominant hand as the dry because you use your right hand most!) Then, dip the tender into the bread crumbs lightly ensuring to cover all sides. Dip back into the egg mixture, then into the bread crumb mixture again(you can go slightly heavily this time because it the final dredge). Lay then all onto your baking sheet giving them a 1/2 inch or so so that they have room to bake. (As shown below!)
3. Drizzle over some vegetable oil all across each tender to make sure they're coated(not soggy, just a nice coating. About 1-2 teaspoons per tender. Bake in your preheated oven at 375*F for 40-50 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Flip about halfway through or when the bottom starts to get brown. Also, I start my tenders at the bottom rack of my oven then end on the top just to get them evenly browned(if they are getting too browned but still not cooked all the way through just light cover the tenders with some aluminum foil until completely done. I would poke a few holes so that they wont get soggy due to the moisture!).
4. Serve when they come out or warm. Enjoy! I love some Browned Butter Garlic Mashed Potatoes, and Lemon Butter Greens to go on the side. Or just to be simple with some Homemade Blackened Ranch or ketchup!
Tag us on Instagram(click the handle @thefood__blogger) if you decide to make our recipe, or any of them for that matter so we can see your recreations!
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