Homemade Fried Chicken Strips: how to make them crispy outside and tender inside!

Whether you have them for dinner, or just as a snack, chicken strips, also known as chicken fingers, are simple delicious. This recipe is quick and easy, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the crispy texture outside and the juicy tenderness inside. It only needs about 10 minutes cooking time, so if you have unexpected guests, you can easily whip up a plate of chicken fingers. Once you see how easy it is to make your own, you won’t buy them in a packet again!

How to make chicken strips from scratch

Separate the egg yolks and egg whites into two separate bowls and cut the chicken breasts into long strips.

Mix the strips with egg yolk.

Add crushed garlic, spices, salt and cornstarch.

Whisk the egg whites in a bowl.

Add oil to a frying pan (enough for shallow frying) and place over medium heat.

Dip the chicken strips in egg whites and fry until golden.

Garnish with lettuce and tomatoes.

How to cut chicken breast into strips

To make sure your chicken fingers are tender, you need to cut the breasts across the grain. The grains are the tiny white muscle fibers you see within the chicken breast. Slice the chicken breast in one clean slice with a sharp knife (not serrated).

How to air fry chicken strips

You can make these chicken fingers healthier by skipping the frying step and using your air fryer instead. Simply spray your air fryer basket with non-stick spray, and carefully place your coated chicken fingers in the basket. You may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan. Spray the chicken fingers again with non-stock spray. Cook at 400°F/200°C for about 5 minutes. Turn, and cook another 5 minutes or until the internal temperature of the chicken is 165°F/74°C.

What to serve with chicken fingers

These chicken fingers are delicious served with a honey mustard sauce. Simply mix together 1/3 cup mayonnaise, 2 tbsp honey, 2 tbsp Dijon mustard, and a dash of your favorite hot sauce. Alternatively, serve them with a side of ketchup or ranch.

If you want to turn the chicken fingers into a more substantial meal, serve them with a side of carrot sticks, celery, and fried potatoes.

Tips

The cooked chicken fingers can be frozen for up to 3 months. Simply place in a Ziploc bag (in a single layer) and place in the freezer. Let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven.

Make sure that the oil doesn’t get too hot. This will cause the coating to burn, while the chicken still remains uncooked. If the oil is too cold, it will absorb too much oil.

If you want the chicken fingers to be even more tender, you can marinate them in buttermilk. Simply place the chicken strips in buttermilk, and refrigerate for at least half an hour (or up to 8 hours).

Directions

Separate the egg yolks and egg whites into two separate bowls.

Cut the chicken breasts into long strips.

Mix the strips with egg yolk.

Add crushed garlic, spices, salt and cornstarch.

Whisk the egg whites in a bowl.

Add oil to a frying pan (enough for shallow frying) and place over medium heat.

Dip the chicken strips in egg whites and fry until golden.

Garnish with lettuce and tomatoes.