Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers with Homemade Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

Way back in the day there was a bit of a running joke between my sisters and me. Most of the time when we dined out, regardless the caliber of restaurant, I would order…chicken fingers.

The girls might get a beautiful piece of prime rib or a gorgeous seafood scampi and I’d order chicken fingers with a fancy side. Okay, so maybe it was not so fancy…maybe it was fries. Okay, so it was fries. I’m not fooling anyone, am I?

Thank goodness my tastes have evolved over the years. But let’s face it – sometimes there’s just nothing better than crispy fried chicken fingers with a homemade blue cheese dipping sauce. Am I right?

And that’s exactly what Nick feasted on the other night.

Our boy was coming home for a meal and chicken fingers with blue cheese was sure to hit the spot – especially for a kid who this year moved off campus and is now responsible for all of his own meals.

I’m pretty certain chicken fingers have made their way to his plate, however, they were likely in the form of tenders, made by Tully’s, a popular restaurant in town. And although quite scrumptious, there’s nothing better than homemade fingers, especially those that are shallow fried in olive oil and butter and encased in Italian-style panko breadcrumbs with freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. I don’t normally fry them – I usually bake – but I was wanting to create something a little more special. With Nick in the midst of mid-terms and fall ball, I thought some home cooked comfort would do him good.

My recipe is tried and true. Crunchy on the outside. Moist and tender on the inside. And although you’re going to tell me your mama taught you better…I want you to double dip. Yep. Dip those babies in your scrambled egg, then your breadcrumb mixture, then dip again! Your chicken won’t know what hit it.

Fry them up in a combination of olive oil and butter, like I do potatoes for my Italian Potato & Sweet Onion Omelet. This method helps to create a nice fry with golden color and deep rich flavor. Cook for a few minutes on each side then pop into a warm oven until ready to serve.

If you’re all about homestyle chicken that delivers a generous crunch in a golden cheesy crust, then you have come to the right place, my friends!

Buon Appetito!

Crispy Fried Chicken Fingers with Homemade Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce

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• Author: Ciao Chow Bambina
• Category: Dinner

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Ingredients

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2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, sliced into strips

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

2 large eggs

1 cup Italian seasoned Panko Breadcrumbs

1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

Olive oil

2 Tbsp. butter

1 cup Greek yogurt

¾ cup crumbled blue cheese

juice of ½ a lemon

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt & freshly ground pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper.
2. In a large shallow bowl, beat eggs with a fork.
3. In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and grated cheese.
4. Dredge the chicken in the eggs then in the bread crumbs. Then do it again.
5. As you prepare the strips, rest them on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
6. In a large, nonstick skillet, heat about 1/2 inch oil with butter over medium heat.
7. Once the oil is hot enough, add 3 or 4 chicken strips at a time.
8. Fry until crispy and golden on both sides and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
9. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
10. Keep the chicken fingers warm in a preheated 200 degree oven.
11. In the meantime, prepare blue cheese dipping sauce.
12. In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, blue cheese, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl.
13. Remove chicken from the oven.
14. Serve warm with dipping sauce.

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Ciao!