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!
PrintCrispy Fried Chicken Fingers with Homemade Blue Cheese Dipping Sauce
- Category: Dinner
Ingredients
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
Instructions
- Season the chicken strips with salt and pepper.
- In a large shallow bowl, beat eggs with a fork.
- In another shallow bowl, combine bread crumbs and grated cheese.
- Dredge the chicken in the eggs then in the bread crumbs. Then do it again.
- As you prepare the strips, rest them on a parchment lined cookie sheet.
- In a large, nonstick skillet, heat about 1/2 inch oil with butter over medium heat.
- Once the oil is hot enough, add 3 or 4 chicken strips at a time.
- Fry until crispy and golden on both sides and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.
- Drain on a paper towel lined plate.
- Keep the chicken fingers warm in a preheated 200 degree oven.
- In the meantime, prepare blue cheese dipping sauce.
- In a medium bowl, combine yogurt, blue cheese, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Remove chicken from the oven.
- Serve warm with dipping sauce.
Ciao!
Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Annie I have been eyeing them since you posted them on facebook!! These look so crispy and that sauce – girl I wish I was having this right now!
Annie says
Awhhh! Thank you, my friend! They’re quite yummy! 🙂
Kari Peters says
You have just described my go-to meal in restaurants since I was a kid, chicken fingers (with fries of course 😉 and blue cheese dipping sauce. Your homemade version looks way better than anything I’ve ever ordered out before!
Annie says
I knew I couldn’t be alone in this! Thanks so much, my dear! 🙂
mira says
These chicken fingers look just perfect Annie! So crispy and delicious! Love the sauce!
Annie says
Thanks, my friend! 🙂
Kelly - Life Made Sweeter says
I don’t think I have ever seen more perfect looking chicken fingers! Seriously, these look ah-mazing, Annie! So crispy and golden! Nick must have inhaled these because I know I would have and that’s saying a lot since I don’t eat very much meat anymore. Drool!
Annie says
Why thank you, Kelly! That is saying a lot! xoxo
Ben Maclain | Havocinthekitchen says
Can I say one weird thing, Annie? I’m not a huge fan of fried chicken. Almost at all. (That seems i’ve already started like that few times here, haha). I don’t like bread crumbs and that amount of oil you should fry in the chicken. Sure, I’ve tried a couple of times out, but the chicken was rather soggy. But this chicken definitely looks great – stunning! Probably it’s cause of the cheese (everything is better with cheese). I don’t know. But it looks as the impeccable fried chicken for me (Even though I’m not a fan and don’t know how the chicken is supposed to look):) Well done!
Annie says
Hahahha! Nothing you say is weird because I’ve actually come to expect anything you throw my way! I enjoy everything you have to say. As far as your chicken endeavor – perhaps you did a deep fry as opposed to a shallow fry? You need very little oil and butter – and yes, I’m sure the cheese helps. Cheese always helps! I tell you what – give it a try. Just do it. And let me know how it goes. If you follow to the letter – I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised how not soggy and super crispy they can be. Thanks for stopping by, my friend!
My Dish is Bomb says
I am EXACTLY the same as you. I am obsessed with chicken fingers and can never say no to the deep fried variety that restaurants just do so well! And the fries, I always get the fries. Love this recipe and especially the blue cheese dip, pinned!
Annie says
It could seriously escalate to problem level if I let it… There was once a day, my friend! They’re just too good!! Thanks!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout says
So. Crispy! I’m amazed at the golden crust on these 🙂
Annie says
Gotta love panko. And olive oil and butter. And cheese. And… Thanks, dear! 🙂
Jen | Baked by an Introvert says
Your photos are gorgeous! I want to reach in and grab a chicken finger!
Annie says
Thank you, Jen! I appreciate that! 🙂
Stacey @ The Sugar Coated Cottage says
Wow, these look so delicious! I’m definitely trying these and the double dipping technique (sorry mom), lol. Blue cheese is my most recent obsession to. And you can never go wrong with panko.
Annie says
Hahaha! It’s worth the double dip – I promise! Thanks so much, Stacey! 🙂
marcie says
These chicken fingers are some of the best I’ve ever seen — they’re so golden brown and crispy! That blue cheese dip looks like the perfect thing to dip these in, too. Who needs fancy food when you can have this? 🙂
Annie says
Why thank you, Marcie! Believe me, I’ve had a lot of practice perfecting that crunch and color! 🙂
Kathleen | Hapa Nom Nom says
Wowza! Just look at how perfectly crispy those chicken fingers are! Seriously, I don’t care where I am, if I see chicken fingers on the menu – I order it! It’s just about lunchtime here, and my stomach is screaming at me!
Annie says
There’s a real nice crunch on these babies! It’s all in the double dip! Now go quiet that stomach of yours down! Thanks, friend!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary says
OMG, Annie. I almost had to look away from your pictures because I was two seconds from literally trying to eat my computer screen!! You are totally right, sometime life just calls for comforting HOMEMADE chicken fingers! Yours look beyond fantastic! Crispy, crunchy, tender… oh boy, and that blue cheese? I’m drooling. Everywhere. These are perfect! Pinned! Cheers, girlfriend! P.S I’m up for adoption if you are interested in another child. Xo 😉
Annie says
You are too much my friend! But I totally get it…chicken fingers can do that to a person! Yes, yes, yes! I’ll get your room ready! Hahahah! xo 😉
Amanda says
I also went through a phase of ordering chicken fingers or chicken strips everywhere. Haha. But these look way better than anything I had. They look so crispy, and I could eat that dipping sauce with a spoon!
Annie says
So, what I’m discovering is that I am not alone…was not alone…yeah, I’ve grown beyond that (cough)! Thanks for your kind words, my friend!
Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks says
Nick is one lucky guy! I’m sure he loved coming home to these delicious double dipped and fried chicken fingers! And homemade blue cheese dipping sauce? Yes please!
Annie says
He looked pretttty happy when he left! Thanks, my dear! 🙂
Gaila says
Ciao Bambina! I am sure it is a blast to dine out with you and your sisters, you totally sound like my kind of crowd! Your chicken fingers looks so crispy! mmm mmm mmm, I just had breakfast but I am so wanting to devour those!! well done!
Annie says
Awh! Thank you, Gaila! Always a good time…especially around food! I know you understand that! xo
Andrea @ Cooking with Mamma C says
If I’m going to eat chicken fingers, I’d rather they be homemade. These look incredible! I appreciate the tip about dipping in the egg twice. I don’t fry often, but when I do, I want it to be fabulous, you know? Pinning for sure.
Annie says
Oh yes – two layers of egg and crumb is the way to go if you’re looking for super crunchy fingers. Thanks so much, my friend! 🙂
traci | vanilla and bean says
Crispy perfection, Annie! I’m wondering if I could sub tofu!? hehe! That blue cheese dipping sauce is so mouthwatering too.. what a delicious contrast of texture and flavor. How wonderful your Son was home! I’m sure he was in heaven with all your fabulous cooking after moving from campus. That’s a tough transition! Thank you for this Annie!
Annie says
I bet you could…I’ve never cooked with tofu – you will have to let me know if you try it! It was so great having our buddy home…we’re spoiled that we get to see him as often as we do – with his lacrosse in the fall. Thanks, my dear… xoxo
Gayle@Pumpkin 'N Spice says
I’m such a fan of chicken fingers. so this crispy kind is just calling my name! I love your homemade sauce, too! I think I could munch on these babies for breakfast!
Annie says
Breakfast, lunch and dinner…I say go for it! Thanks, Gayle!
Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen says
Completely agree, there’s nothing better than crispy fried chicken finger. And with a homemade blue cheese dipping sauce? They are AH-MAZING. My husband would love these! Lovely share, Annie! 🙂
Annie says
Thanks, my friend! I hope you have the chance to try them! xo
Mir says
I feel very close to you now, Annie. When I was in a certain stage of life, all I ever ordered was a half roast chicken. Seriously. I still love that.
And these look so wonderfully crispy and amazing! I have got to try it your way! You’re the expert, clearly.
Annie says
Okay – we’re definitely cut from the same cloth…I love roast chicken too. I can’t resist it! Oh yes, the crisp factor is off the charts! Enjoy, my friend! 🙂