Oven Fried Chicken Fingers – We Southerners are known for our love of fried chicken. It’s true we do. However, we all know we can’t eat it everyday. So, we have to come up with ways of enjoying the crunchy breading we love without the guilt. These oven fried chicken fingers are my choice to serve my family on such an ocassion. They’re lighter but not lacking in flavor. Crusted in panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese they’re simple to make and bake crispy and crunchy.
You can spray these with butter flavored cooking spray to keep them truly light or drizzle them with light butter. I prefer spraying them with cooking spray first then lightly drizzling them with butter halfway through baking. The reason I choose that technique is that it gives the breading time to adhere to the chicken. In the case of oven frying a light drizzle is best. You can drizzle them lightly with butter at the beginning of cooking too, if preferred.
Serve these crispy chicken fingers with your favorite dipping sauces such as honey mustard, ranch dressing, barbecue sauce or with warm marinara sauce as an entree or an appetizer.
Oven Fried Chicken Fingers
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb chicken tenders
- 1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 Tbsp chopped chopped chives
- 1 tsp dry Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- 2 large eggs
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 'salt & black pepper
- cooking spray
- 2 Tbsp butter or light butter melted
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F. Liberally spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.
- Mix together the all purpose flour with 1/2 tsp garlic salt
- Beat 2 large eggs with 2 Tbsp of milk. Season with salt and black pepper
- Mix together the panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, chopped chives and dry Italian seasoning.
- Dredge the chicken pieces through the flour, then the egg wash.
- Roll in the panko-Parmesan breadcrumbs. Press the breading onto the chicken tenders.
- Lay on the prepared baking pan without touching.
- Spray the chicken liberally with cooking spray.
- Bake for 20-22 minutes drizzling with melted butter halfway through baking.
- Rest on the pan for 5 minutes then serve. with your favorite dipping sauces.
Recipe Notes
a) To brown the chicken breading further at the end of baking turn the oven to broil for 2-3 minutes.
b) Adjust the baking time according to the size and thickness of the chicken tenders being prepared.
Carol at Wild Goose Mama says
This type of a dish is ALWAYS a major winner in my family. Nicely spiced and of course the oven part is excellent
Lauren says
These look delicious! It’s always great to see recipes like this that incorporate a healthier side of the dish. Thanks for sharing!
Linda Dalton says
Lovely recipe. I’ll be sure to give this one a try.
Melissa says
Thanks Linda!
Stacy Tompkins says
My son often eats fried chicken very weekend so that I would like to cook it for him in order to save money. your recipe is very helpful
Melissa says
Hi Stacy my kids, too. It’s nice to make this at home for them and they’re just as happy with it. Hope he likes it!
Carolette says
I made these last evening. They were so good especially for being baked instead of fried. I followed the recipe exactly and they were perfectly done, crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. Thank you – I’ll be making this one again.
Melissa says
Wonderful thanks so much for taking the time to let me know!
Allison K says
Could sliced chicken breast be used in place of tenders? Those tend to be very pricey and sometimes hard to find.
Melissa says
Sure, no problem at all.