PANKO CRUSTED CHICKEN FINGERS

Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb that is larger and crunchier than a typical breadcrumb. It lends a great texture to these tasty chicken fingers.

Yield: Makes 8.

PANKO CRUSTED CHICKEN FINGERS

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp water or milk (2%)
  • 1/2 cup panko (Japanese-style bread crumbs)
  • 1/4 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • Thai sweet chili sauce*

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  2. Grease a rimmed baking sheet or line with nonstick foil or parchment paper.
  3. Combine flour, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a pie plate. Beat together egg and water in a second pie plate. Combine panko, cornmeal, paprika, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a third pie plate.
  4. Slice chicken into 8 strips. Working with one strip at a time, dredge strips in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Dip strips into egg mixture, turning to coat both sides. Place strips in panko mixture, pressing lightly so that panko mixture adheres; turn to coat both sides. Place strips in a single layer on prepared pan.
  5. Bake until strips are completely cooked and coating is golden brown, about 20 – 25 minutes. Serve with chili sauce.
Nutritional analysis per chicken finger:

114 calories, 1.8 g fat, 10.4 g protein, 13.2 g carbohydrate, 0.6 g fibre, 302 mg sodium

*Ingredient not included in nutritional analysis.

Tip: If desired, basa fillets may be substituted for the chicken breasts in this recipe.