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Crunchy Tortilla Chicken Fingers

Here’s another easy weeknight dinner idea: These baked Crunchy Tortilla Chicken Fingers get their flavor from simple seasonings and crushed tortilla chips. So crunchy and good!

Welcome to the February 19, 2017 edition of Sunday Scratchups: Your weekly recipe from scratch around ingredients that are either on sale or generally affordable. Up this week: Kid-approved Crunchy Tortilla Chicken Fingers! Boneless skinless chicken breast has been on sale lately, and I used a little pack from Target clearance earlier this week along with ingredients I already had handy in my house to scratch up this quick & easy weeknight dinner, which was a big hit with both boys.

dip your chicken fingers

These chicken strips are little healthier than takeout, on your table in 30 minutes, and oh so good. Crunchy tortilla chicken fingers are baked, rather than fried, and I just used a little olive oil spray on a sheet pan to get them nicely browned.

Crunchy Tortilla Chicken Fingers

Ingredients

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into strips
3 Tbsp flour (use gluten free if necessary)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika (substitute regular if you don’t have smoked handy)
1 egg, beaten
4 oz crushed tortilla chips (again, use GF if necessary)
Cooking or olive oil spray

Directions

Spray rimmed baking sheet with olive oil spray and cut chicken into strips. Mix flour and seasonings in a small shallow bowl. Beat egg in a second bowl. Crush tortilla chips and place in third bowl. Note: You can do this in a food processor for a finer coating, but I just put mine in a plastic bag and crushed by hand. It’s kind of therapeutic!

chicken and dredging bowls

My bowls are backwards; put the flour one first.

Dredge chicken strips in flour, then egg, then crushed tortilla chips, and place on prepared pan.

chicken fingers on baking sheet

Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, flip, then bake another 8-10 minutes or until browned on both sides and cooked through.

Note: You can crush your tortilla chips in a food processor for a finer coating, but I just put mine in a plastic bag and crushed by hand. It’s kind of therapeutic!

So crunchy and good!

plate of chicken fingers and sauce

The seasonings punch these chicken strips up just enough to add a good bit of flavor, without adding spice. I served ours with strawberries, lime wedges, sliced avocado, and salsa for dipping (although Mr. 10 substituted BBQ sauce). One pound of chicken was just barely enough for me and the kids — although they only left me two chicken strips, so I’d double the recipe to feed four well.

Crunchy tortilla chicken fingers are naturally dairy free, and optionally gluten free (if your flour and tortilla chips are).

Crunchy Tortilla Chicken Fingers, printable recipe

Crunchy Tortilla Chicken Fingers

A little healthier than takeout, on your table in 30 minutes, and oh so good: These chicken strips are baked rather than fried, and you just use a little olive oil spray on a sheet pan to get them nicely browned.
Course dinner
Cuisine Chicken
Keyword chicken, chicken fingers, tortilla chips
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 2.5

Ingredients

  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast cut into strips
  • 3 Tbsp flour (use gluten free if necessary)
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika (substitute regular if you don't have smoked handy)
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 4 oz crushed tortilla chips (again, use GF if necessary)
  • Cooking or olive oil spray

Instructions

  • Spray rimmed baking sheet with olive oil spray and cut chicken into strips.
  • Mix flour and seasonings in a small shallow bowl.
  • Beat egg in a second bowl.
  • Crush tortilla chips and place in third bowl. 
  • Dredge chicken strips in flour, then egg, then crushed tortilla chips and place on prepared pan.
  • Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, flip, then bake another 8-10 minutes or until browned on both sides and cooked through.

Notes

You can crush your tortilla chips in a food processor for a finer coating, but I just put mine in a plastic bag and crushed by hand. It’s kind of therapeutic!

Recipes in the real world

weekly ALDI meal plans from Mashup Mom -- six complete dinners for four, $60 out the door! MashupMom.com, every Wednesday.

Be sure not to miss the free ALDI meal plans, which show you how to use these easy family recipes to meal plan affordably and realistically for your family. Or, find more recipe ideas with the Recipe Search!

Recipe Rating




Mandi

Tuesday 13th of June 2017

I've been using your weekly Aldi meal plans for about 3 weeks now. Only a few times have I skipped one of your meals and done my own thing (and that was due to a picky 7 year old). Even the meals I thought he wouldn't like, he did.... as did my husband, my 19 month old, and myself. I'm really enjoying your recipes and your meal plans!

rachel

Tuesday 13th of June 2017

I'm so glad to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to comment. :)

Leigh Suznovich

Monday 20th of February 2017

Oh wow, these look simple and amazing! Can't wait to try them.