A Delicious Twist on Chicken Tenders: Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipe
The humble chicken tender, often viewed as the perfect meal for children, has the potential to delight the palates of adults as well. In this detailed recipe brought to you by Justin from "Cooking with Coit," we discover how to transform traditional chicken tenders into a cleaner, crispier version suitable for all ages. This dish not only serves as a delightful quick weeknight dinner but also showcases the art of clean comfort cooking.
Ingredients and Preparation
To begin, we gather our ingredients. The first step involves preparing two teaspoons of minced garlic, roughly the equivalent of one clove, depending on its size. This pungent ingredient will serve as a delicious base for our marinade.
Following that, we crack two eggs into a small mixing bowl and whisk them together. To this mixture, we add half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of pepper, giving it another good whisk until fully combined.
Next, we immerse our chicken tenders in this egg mixture, allowing them to marinate with the garlic, salt, and pepper as we proceed with the next steps.
Creating the Dry Mixture
Moving on, we assemble our dry ingredients. A full cup of panko breadcrumbs—a crucial part of this recipe—is added to a separate bowl. Panko, known for its light and airy texture, provides that perfect crispy bite that we crave.
Alongside the breadcrumbs, we whisk in a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese and season our mix with one teaspoon each of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Once blended, this dry mixture becomes essential for giving our chicken tenders a delectable crust.
Dredging Process
At this point, it’s vital to establish a dredging station. We have our moist chicken tenders soaking in the egg mixture, the dry panko mixture in the center, and a parchment-lined baking sheet on the side, prepared with a light spray of olive oil to prevent sticking. This step not only helps with browning but also keeps the tenders from sticking to the sheet as they bake.
An important tip shared by Justin is to keep the hands used for the wet mixture separate from those used for the dry. This technique prevents our fingers from becoming overly messy while ensuring that the coating remains intact.
Using this method, we take each chicken tender out of the egg mix, transfer it to the panko mixture, gently pressing and tapping to ensure an even coating, before laying it out on the baking sheet.
Cooking the Tenders
If you haven't done so yet, now is the time to preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As the oven warms up, Justin emphasizes the importance of spacing out the chicken tenders on the baking sheet. Proper air circulation is key to achieving the desired crispiness.
Once our tenders are arranged, a light spritz of olive oil spray adds an extra layer of crunch. These tenders are then baked in the oven for seven minutes before flipping them over and giving them another quick spray of olive oil.
After an additional five minutes in the oven, the chicken tends to develop a beautiful golden-brown color and crispy texture. For those wishing to experiment further, Justin suggests a broiling step to intensify the crispiness.
Final Touches and Serving
After ensuring that the tenders have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit using an instant-read thermometer, we're ready for the grand reveal.
The result is a gorgeous batch of chicken tenders, elevated in flavor and texture from the traditional versions. To garnish, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a vibrant touch before serving them alongside a favorite dipping sauce—ketchup, in this case.
Conclusion: A Recipe Worth Trying
This clean version of chicken tenders represents more than just a dish for kids; it's a versatile meal that everyone can enjoy, perfect for busy weeknights. Deliciously seasoned, expertly cooked, and incredibly satisfying, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
If you enjoyed this recipe and wish to explore more healthy cooking options, be sure to check out Justin's Healthy Recipes playlist for additional culinary inspiration. Happy cooking!
Part 1/6:
A Delicious Twist on Chicken Tenders: Quick Weeknight Dinner Recipe
The humble chicken tender, often viewed as the perfect meal for children, has the potential to delight the palates of adults as well. In this detailed recipe brought to you by Justin from "Cooking with Coit," we discover how to transform traditional chicken tenders into a cleaner, crispier version suitable for all ages. This dish not only serves as a delightful quick weeknight dinner but also showcases the art of clean comfort cooking.
Ingredients and Preparation
To begin, we gather our ingredients. The first step involves preparing two teaspoons of minced garlic, roughly the equivalent of one clove, depending on its size. This pungent ingredient will serve as a delicious base for our marinade.
Part 2/6:
Following that, we crack two eggs into a small mixing bowl and whisk them together. To this mixture, we add half a teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of pepper, giving it another good whisk until fully combined.
Next, we immerse our chicken tenders in this egg mixture, allowing them to marinate with the garlic, salt, and pepper as we proceed with the next steps.
Creating the Dry Mixture
Moving on, we assemble our dry ingredients. A full cup of panko breadcrumbs—a crucial part of this recipe—is added to a separate bowl. Panko, known for its light and airy texture, provides that perfect crispy bite that we crave.
Part 3/6:
Alongside the breadcrumbs, we whisk in a quarter cup of grated Parmesan cheese and season our mix with one teaspoon each of paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder. Once blended, this dry mixture becomes essential for giving our chicken tenders a delectable crust.
Dredging Process
At this point, it’s vital to establish a dredging station. We have our moist chicken tenders soaking in the egg mixture, the dry panko mixture in the center, and a parchment-lined baking sheet on the side, prepared with a light spray of olive oil to prevent sticking. This step not only helps with browning but also keeps the tenders from sticking to the sheet as they bake.
Part 4/6:
An important tip shared by Justin is to keep the hands used for the wet mixture separate from those used for the dry. This technique prevents our fingers from becoming overly messy while ensuring that the coating remains intact.
Using this method, we take each chicken tender out of the egg mix, transfer it to the panko mixture, gently pressing and tapping to ensure an even coating, before laying it out on the baking sheet.
Cooking the Tenders
If you haven't done so yet, now is the time to preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. As the oven warms up, Justin emphasizes the importance of spacing out the chicken tenders on the baking sheet. Proper air circulation is key to achieving the desired crispiness.
Part 5/6:
Once our tenders are arranged, a light spritz of olive oil spray adds an extra layer of crunch. These tenders are then baked in the oven for seven minutes before flipping them over and giving them another quick spray of olive oil.
After an additional five minutes in the oven, the chicken tends to develop a beautiful golden-brown color and crispy texture. For those wishing to experiment further, Justin suggests a broiling step to intensify the crispiness.
Final Touches and Serving
After ensuring that the tenders have reached a safe internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit using an instant-read thermometer, we're ready for the grand reveal.
Part 6/6:
The result is a gorgeous batch of chicken tenders, elevated in flavor and texture from the traditional versions. To garnish, a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley adds a vibrant touch before serving them alongside a favorite dipping sauce—ketchup, in this case.
Conclusion: A Recipe Worth Trying
This clean version of chicken tenders represents more than just a dish for kids; it's a versatile meal that everyone can enjoy, perfect for busy weeknights. Deliciously seasoned, expertly cooked, and incredibly satisfying, this recipe is sure to become a household favorite.
If you enjoyed this recipe and wish to explore more healthy cooking options, be sure to check out Justin's Healthy Recipes playlist for additional culinary inspiration. Happy cooking!