Crispy chicken strips are a perfect snack or meal! Here’s a tasty recipe for making those golden, crunchy chicken strips at home:
Ingredients:
For the Chicken Strips:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut into strips)
- 1 cup buttermilk (or regular milk with a splash of lemon juice)
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Coating:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder (helps with extra crispiness)
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional, for some heat)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Frying:
- Vegetable oil (enough for frying)
Optional Dipping Sauce:
- Ranch dressing, honey mustard, or BBQ sauce
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Chicken Strips:
- Cut the chicken breasts into strips (about 1 inch wide).
- Season the chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Marinate the Chicken:
- In a bowl, pour the buttermilk and add garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Place the chicken strips into the buttermilk mixture and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes (or overnight for more flavor).
3. Prepare the Coating:
- In a separate shallow bowl or plate, mix the flour, baking powder, paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Make sure it’s well combined.
4. Coat the Chicken:
- Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade and shake off any excess liquid.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, pressing gently to ensure it’s fully coated. For extra crispy strips, dip the chicken back into the buttermilk and coat it with the flour mixture a second time.
5. Heat the Oil:
- In a large frying pan, add about 1/2 inch of vegetable oil. Heat over medium-high heat until the oil reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a bit of flour into it – if it sizzles, you’re ready to fry!
6. Fry the Chicken:
- Carefully place the coated chicken strips in the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan—fry in batches if needed.
- Fry the chicken for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. The chicken should be cooked through (internal temperature should be 165°F or 75°C).
- Once done, transfer the chicken strips to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. Serve:
- Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce (ranch, honey mustard, BBQ sauce, etc.). You can also serve these crispy chicken strips with fries, a salad, or even in a wrap or sandwich!
Enjoy your crispy chicken strips! 🍗
These homemade crispy chicken strips are perfect for any occasion and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!