Get ready to set your taste buds on fire with the most addictive chicken recipe that will have everyone begging for more! These Red Hot Chicken Fingers aren't just another boring dinner option - they're a flavor explosion that combines crispy, crunchy goodness with a mouth-watering spicy kick that'll make your ordinary meal extraordinary. Whether you're hosting a game night, looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer, or just craving something with serious flavor, these chicken fingers are about to become your new obsession!
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 35 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup hot sauce
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a shallow dish, mix together the breadcrumbs and garlic powder.
- In a separate dish, whisk together the buttermilk and hot sauce until well combined.
- Add the chicken tenders to the buttermilk mixture and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 10 minutes or up to 30 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off. Dredge the tenders in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the crumbs onto the chicken to adhere.
- Place the coated chicken tenders on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with a little bit of oil to help the breadcrumbs brown.
- Bake the chicken fingers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and the breadcrumbs are golden brown.
- Remove the chicken fingers from the oven and season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Serve the Red Hot Chicken Fingers hot and enjoy!
Tips
- Marinating Magic: Let the chicken sit in the buttermilk and hot sauce mixture for the full 30 minutes if possible. This helps tenderize the meat and infuse maximum flavor.
- Breadcrumb Trick: For extra crunch, mix in some panko breadcrumbs with your regular breadcrumbs or add a bit of grated parmesan cheese to the coating.
- Even Cooking: Make sure the chicken tenders are roughly the same size to ensure even cooking. If some are larger, you might want to pound them to a consistent thickness.
- Oil Drizzle: The light oil drizzle before baking helps the breadcrumbs turn golden and crispy. Use olive oil or a neutral cooking spray.
- Serving Suggestion: Serve with cool ranch or blue cheese dressing to balance the heat, and have extra hot sauce on the side for true spice lovers!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 320kcal
Carbohydrates: 15g
Protein: 35g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 110mg
