Faux Fried Chicken Tenders - A Recipe!

Superfro and I have had some good luck lately with recipes suitable for two people. Cooking for two sometimes requires alteration of recipes and ingredients and sometimes conversions don't always work out so well. Not the case with these Faux Fried Chicken Tenders. You could make 2, 4, 12 or even 30 of them, it's a really flexible recipe.


But, how do they taste? An excellent question! I thought they perfectly satisfied my craving for something fried without actually being fried. You should try for yourself and let me know!

Faux Fried Chicken Tenders
(adapted from a Food Network Magazine recipe)
Servings - 2

First, go ahead and pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. I promise that it will get more exciting after this but pre-heating the oven is essential so just get it done and over with.

Next, line a baking sheet with foil. If you have a baking rack, place that on top of the baking sheet and spray with cooking spray. If you don't have a rack, don't panic. You can still participate in the making of these Tenders. How about you just spray the foil on the baking sheet instead?


INGREDIENTS ASSEMBLE!

• 1 pound chicken "tenders" or boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• 1 egg
• 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
• 1 T. ketchup or your favorite BBQ sauce
• 1/8 c. buttermilk (OPTIONAL)
• 1 cup bread crumbs (I like to use a mixture of regular ones and Panko style)
• 1/2 tsp. cumin
• 1/2 tsp. chili powder
• salt & pepper
• cooking spray

In a small bowl beat the egg just a little bit. Add the Worcestershire sauce, ketchup (or BBQ) and the optional buttermilk. Stir it all together and set it aside for a bit.

In a shallow dish mix the bread crumbs, cumin, chili powder, salt and pepper.

Now, you're ready for the messy work. Using some tongs, dip one piece of chicken into the egg mixture until fully coated. Lift out and let the excess drip off. Place the chicken in the breadcrumbs and gently roll it around to cover it. I use a spoon to help move the bread crumbs around. Place the chicken gently on the baking rack or sheet and then repeat until all the chicken is breaded.

Keep your tongs handy, you still need them! Spray each piece of chicken with cooking spray then gently flip them over using the tongs and spray the other side.

By this time your oven should be nice and hot (you DID pre-heat it, RIGHT?!?) Bake the chicken for 20 minutes. During this time wash your tongs, you'll need them again but you need them to be clean! After 20 minutes remove the chicken and flip each piece over. Return to the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.


Enjoy!