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Golden baked chicken fingers with ketchup, yogurt ranch, vegetable sticks and lemon

Crispy Chicken Fingers (Chicken Fries!)

Kid-friendly chicken breast strips with a crunchy toasted panko-Parmesan coating, baked until golden instead of deep-fried.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 430

Ingredients
  

Chicken Fingers
  • 1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into 1/2-inch-wide strips
  • 1 1/2 cups panko breadcrumbs
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/3 cup finely grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon milk optional
  • cooking spray for the rack and chicken

Equipment

  • Rimmed baking sheet
  • Oven-safe wire rack
  • Three shallow bowls for breading
  • Instant-read thermometer

Method
 

Instructions
  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment, set an oven-safe wire rack on top, and coat the rack lightly with cooking spray.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium. Add panko and stir for 3 to 4 minutes, until pale golden. Cool slightly, then mix with Parmesan.
  3. Pat the chicken strips dry. In one shallow bowl, combine flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. In a second bowl, whisk eggs and milk. Place the toasted panko mixture in a third bowl.
    Chicken strips with seasoned flour, egg wash and toasted panko Parmesan crumbs
  4. Coat each strip lightly in flour and shake off excess. Dip in egg, let excess drip away, then press firmly into the panko mixture. Arrange on the rack without touching.
  5. Mist the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 12 to 16 minutes, turning once, until crisp and the thickest strips reach 165°F. Begin checking early because thin pieces cook quickly.
  6. Rest on the rack for 3 minutes. Serve hot with ketchup, yogurt ranch, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.

Notes

  • Cut strips to a similar width so they finish together.
  • For air frying, cook in a single layer at 400°F for 8 to 11 minutes, turning halfway, until the center reaches 165°F.
  • Refrigerate cooked leftovers for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or air fryer.
  • Nutrition is an estimate and excludes dipping sauces and sides.