Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders: A Crispy Oven-Baked Snack
Healthy Baked Chicken Tenders: A Crispy Oven-Baked Snack
A Healthier Alternative to Fried Snacks: Crispy & Spicy Baked Chicken Tenders
Even for someone like me who doesn’t usually indulge in chips, these are surprisingly delicious. I often find myself buying one or two bags from Costco when they catch my eye. While the price is much better than at regular supermarkets, there’s a catch: I rarely manage to finish them, making the ‘bargain’ purchase not so much of a bargain after all. Despite my best efforts over days, more than half the bag remains. This is where leftovers can become a treasure! Instead of letting them go to waste, you can repurpose them as a fantastic breadcrumb alternative. After all, deliciousness is the ultimate goal! These oven-baked chicken tenders offer a delightful crispy exterior and a tender, juicy interior, making them a healthier and equally satisfying snack.
Main Ingredients- 500g chicken tenderloins
- 80g barbecue sauce
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (rice wine)
- 1 Tbsp Tabasco sauce
- A pinch of fresh thyme leaves
- 3 cups potato chips (any flavor)
- 1 tsp sweet paprika powder
- 1 Tbsp cayenne pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the chicken tenderloins by trimming any excess fat and slicing them into bite-sized pieces, about 2-3 cm thick. In a bowl, combine the chicken tenderloins with the barbecue sauce, Tabasco sauce, Mirin, and fresh thyme leaves. Mix well to ensure the chicken is evenly coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour, or preferably longer, to allow the flavors to penetrate deeply. Tip: Feel free to substitute thyme with other herbs like rosemary or oregano.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the crispy coating for our chicken tenders. Any type of potato chips will work perfectly for this! You can use your favorite flavor or whatever you have on hand. Savory, spicy, or even lightly flavored chips can add an interesting and unique twist to the dish.
Step 3
Place the potato chips into a sturdy resealable plastic bag. Seal the bag and use a rolling pin, the bottom of a bottle, or even your hands to crush the chips into coarse crumbs. Aim for a texture that’s not too fine; some small chunks will add a wonderful crunch. Add the sweet paprika powder and cayenne pepper to the crushed chips and mix thoroughly. Adjust the amount of cayenne pepper to your preferred level of spiciness.
Step 4
Add the marinated chicken tenderloins to the bag with the seasoned chip crumbs. Seal the bag securely and shake it gently to coat each piece of chicken evenly with the chip mixture. Ensure all sides are well-covered. Tip: If the crumbs aren’t sticking well, you can lightly dip the chicken pieces in egg white or milk before coating them with the chip mixture for extra adherence and crispiness.
Step 5
Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Arrange the coated chicken tenderloins on the prepared baking sheet in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowding the pan.
Step 6
Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 25 to 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is golden brown and crispy. The exact baking time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken pieces and your oven. Flipping the tenders halfway through the baking process will help ensure even crispiness on both sides. Serve immediately and enjoy the delicious, healthy crunch!
