Tuesday, February 18, 2025

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Crunchy hen taco fingers (baked!)


Crunchy, oven baked hen fingers with a Mexican seasoned crumb, designed for stuffing in tacos. Or dipping in your favorite sauce!

Crunchy chicken taco fingers
Discover how golden these oven baked hen fingers are?? Study the key!

Crunchy hen taco fingers

Not that we may ever get sick of tacos – not even old fashioned beef mince ones (shredded iceberg and crispy taco shells a should!) – however typically it’s good to do one thing just a little completely different.

So right here I’m at the moment, with an providing from one thing completely different. Particularly, one thing crunchy inside our tacos, quite than the same old saucy or shredded or grilled, one thing baked quite than fried (but wow, look how golden they’re!), and one thing that’s in lengthy finger-form designed to neatly match one inside every taco in order that the cook dinner (that’d be you, and me) solely must crumb 16 lengthy strips quite than a gazillion little items.

My, what an extended winded strategy to say we’re making Mexican hen finger tacos at the moment!! 😂

Crunchy chicken taco fingers

In truth, common hen fingers has been on my “to publish” record for a very long time. However hen finger tacos are a lot extra enjoyable, don’t you assume!?

Golden baked crumbed issues – uncommon however efficient!

There’s a handful of my “nice golden baked crumbed issues” tips on present in at the moment’s recipe:

  1. Oven toast the panko first – it’s going to by no means go golden within the quick bake time to cook dinner the hen. Don’t child your self, like I did for a few years;

  2. Streamlined single extra-strong dredge batter, for higher breadcrumb adherence (quite than egg-then-flour dredge);

  3. Contact of mayo within the batter to copy “frying” from the within of the breadcrumbs; and

  4. Left-hand-right-hand crumbing method – for clear fingers!

None of those are new. I’ve used them time and time once more for baked crumbs issues, like crumbed tenders, baked Filet-O-Fish and fish fingers, to call a couple of. The thought of hen fingers in tacos, nonetheless, is new!

Crunchy chicken taco fingers

Elements in crunchy hen taco fingers

Right here’s what you want to make these taco hen fingers:

1. Hen tenderloin

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers

Hen tenderloins are a useful alternative for this recipe as a result of the pure form is already “finger-like”. So all we have to do is reduce in half lengthways to make thinner hen fingers – the proper taco stuffing measurement!

Nonetheless, breast can be utilized in a pinch – simply reduce into thick slices then into “hen fingers”. Keep in mind that hen tenderloins are – because the identify suggests – extra tender than breast.

2. TACO-SEASONED CRUNCHY CRUMB

Panko breadcrumbs (for further crunchy!) and a easy home made taco combine is what we want right here.

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
  • Panko breadcrumbs – Japanese breadcrumb that makes issues further crunchy as a result of the crumbs are bigger than common breadcrumbs. A staple at supermarkets in Australia lately, often the Asian part (however, cheaper at Asian shops!). Substitute with common breadcrumbs, although it’s not as crunchy.

  • Taco seasoning spices – On a regular basis spices – you by no means knew it was really easy to make a home made taco spice combine! Cayenne pepper is optionally available, it provides the tiniest background heat. Under no circumstances spicy. (PS Should you’re tempted to substituted with a packet taco combine, that’s completely high-quality. However I can’t let you know how a lot to make use of. This combine makes up 8 teaspoons, if that helps).

  • Oil spray – To spray the panko after we pre-toast it, and to generously spray the hen fingers as soon as crumbed.

3. a stronger DREDGE BATTER

Historically when crumbing, recipes will name for dipping the hen in flour first, then egg then breadcrumbs. In the present day, I’m combining the flour and egg right into a single batter which coats the hen just a little thicker so the crumbs adhere higher. It’s not crucial for deep frying or pan frying because the crumb adheres higher with extra oil (instantaneous warmth = crumb attaches rapidly). Nevertheless it’s a extremely method when baking.

Right here’s what you want:

  • 2 eggs – I all the time assume “absolutely one is sufficient!”. It’s not. 🙂

  • Flour – Simply plain / all-purpose flour.

  • Mayonnaise – My little secret ingredient for crumbed baked issues, a contact of oil helps replicate the frying impact from the underside of the crumb. I solely use 2 tablespoons, however when you’re strongly against mayonnaise, that’s okay, simply use oil as an alternative (halve the amount).

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
A single egg and flour dredge batter works properly for baked crumbed issues as an alternative of doing the same old separate flour-then-egg dip (I discover it’s not as sturdy).

*** Issues I forgot TO PHOTOGRAPH!***

I forgot to {photograph} the tortillas and Taco Slaw – oops!


make crunchy hen taco fingers

As talked about above within the blue field above outlining uncommon however efficient steps on this recipe for Nice Golden Crumbed Issues, we begin off by toasting the breadcrumbs earlier than coating the hen. It’s extraordinarily easy utilizing the oven. Pan-toasting is way more fingers on and requires significantly extra oil too.

1. Toasting the breadcrumbs

See FAQ for the implications when you skip this step!

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
  1. Toss the panko breadcrumbs with the home made taco seasoning.

  2. Spray with oil – Unfold on a tray and spray with oil. Goal instantly down and spray from a distance to minimise panko-leaf-blower scenario! Spray pretty generously – I do about 3 seconds. It nonetheless works out much less then teaspoon of oil.

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
  1. Bake for 7 minutes at 200°C/400°F (180°C fan-forced) till golden brown, stirring as soon as to twice.

    Now that the panko is toasted – beautiful golden brown color, crunchy, and likewise the uncooked flavour of the spices is cooked out – we will bake the hen for the very quick 10 minutes it takes to cook dinner by with out drying out with out having to fret about getting color on the panko!

  2. Switch breadcrumbs right into a 20cm/8″ sq. pan or an analogous container/dish so you’ll be able to lay down and coat a number of hen fingers on the identical time (crumbing effectivity!).

2. Crumbing and baking

Observe the left-hand-right-hand method to crumbing to maintain your fingers from getting caked with a construct up of batter and breadcrumbs!

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
  1. Reduce the hen into fingers about 1.5 – 2cm / 0.6 – 0.8″ huge* to make 16 items. It is best to be capable of get away with simply reducing them in half lengthways although if yours are very large, you would possibly need to reduce in 3. If utilizing breast, reduce into strips first then batons.

    Precise measurement doesn’t matter right here, some will be longer than the tacos/tortillas (crunchy hen protruding of tacos is an efficient factor!).

  2. Dredge batter – Whisk the dredge batter elements in a bowl. Whisk vigorously – it’s going to appear just a little thick at first however then it’s going to skinny out. It ought to have a maple syrup consistency ie thinner than honey, however thick sufficient to visibly coat the hen.

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
  1. Dredge hen – Switch all of the hen into the batter and toss to coat.

  2. Crumb – Utilizing tongs or your left hand (I’m right-handed), decide up a bit of hen. Let the surplus batter drip off then lie it down on the breadcrumbs. Do one other 2 or 3. Use your proper hand to sprinkled breadcrumbs on the floor of the hen then, as soon as coated, press and switch to stick and absolutely coat.

    Place crumbed fingers on a rack set over the identical tray you used to toast the panko breadcrumbs. Repeat with remaining hen.

How to make Crunchy chicken taco fingers
  1. Bake – Spray generously with oil. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes – sure actually, that is all it takes for the crumb to stick (it’s already golden and crunchy, bear in mind!) and for skinny hen fingers to cook dinner by to 67°C/152.6°F. Should you doubt me, verify with a meat thermometer.

    Baking time – If they’re all on the skinny aspect (~1.5cm/0.6″, I stick to 10 minutes. If they’re a bit wider (2 – 2.25 cm/0.8- 0.9″), I do 12 minutes.

  2. Serve – Stuff inside heat taco shells with fixings of alternative! The pictured tacos have what I name Taco Slaw (heavy hitter in my tacos – see under picture for my onerous promote!), avocado slices, drizzle of sriracha (places this into grown up territory) and pinch of coriander/cilantro leaves.

    See under for extra choices – it may be as easy or as loaded as you want!

Crunchy chicken taco fingers
Crunchy chicken taco fingers
Serve with Taco Slaw, avocado slices, swizzle of sriracha and drizzle of lime.

Taco fixings for these Crunchy Hen Taco Fingers

The tacos are pictured all through this publish and within the tutorial video with what I name my Taco Slaw. Heavy hitter in my taco world as a result of it performs a number of roles – good hit of greens (cabbage wilts a lot!), juicy/floppy sufficient to fill the function of a sauce/salsa (ie much less taco fixings to make), and makes a pleasant mattress for the crunchy taco hen fingers to nestle in.

Additionally, it lasts for days like common slaw, and it’s made with bitter cream not mayonnaise. I do know there’s a complete world of mayonnaise-shy individuals on the market!

Taco Slaw for tacos

Different taco fixings

Taco Slaw apart, you need to completely be at liberty to make use of no matter taco fixings you need as a result of I can’t consider something that wouldn’t work. Good ole’ plain shredded iceberg lettuce with tomato slices and bitter cream and/or guacamole or avocado sauce. Pico de gallo (tomato salsa), a easy salsa dip (restaurant fashion – that is so contemporary it’s nice) or taco sauce. The fast pickled cabbage mattress I take advantage of in fish tacos.

And I all the time endorse shredded cheese. It all the time has a spot in tacos. Disgrace on me for not together with it. 😂 – Nagi x

PS Unsure if this goes with out saying, however these Mexican hen fingers are additionally very worthy of consuming with out tacos, like common hen fingers. For a dipping sauce, my picks can be a easy Salsa Dip, Avocado Sauce, Pink Taco Sauce (1/4 cup bitter cream combined with 1 tbsp sriracha or ketchup), Nachos Cheese Sauce, Queso (Mexican Cheese Dip). I personally would additionally use Honey Mustard Sauce (candy/savoury completely works), ranch can be fabulous, and even ketchup or BBQ sauce!

Crunchy baked hen tacos FAQ


Watch learn how to make it

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Crunchy chicken taco fingers

Crunchy hen taco fingers (baked!)

Servings12 – 16 tacos

Faucet or hover to scale

Recipe video above. Enjoyable and scrumptious! Tacos full of crunchy hen fingers coated in a Mexican seasoned crumb. Would not discourage skipping the tacos and simply munching on the hen sticks. 🙂 See notes for dipping sauce solutions!Handful of my “nice golden baked crumbed issues” tips on present right here – oven toast the panko first (it’s going to by no means go golden within the quick bake time to cook dinner the hen), a streamlined single extra-strong dredge batter, a contact of mayo (replicate “frying”), left-hand-right-hand crumbing method (clear fingers!) and Taco Slaw (triple responsibility sauce / veg quota / good crunchy hen mattress).

Elements

For tacos (Observe 3 for different fixing choices):

Forestall display from sleeping

Directions

ABBREVIATED RECIPE:

  • Toss panko with seasoning, oil spray, bake 7 min at 200°C/400°F (180°C fan). Coat fingers in dredge then crumb, spray generously, bake 12 minutes on rack. Use for tacos – or munch dipped in Avocado Sauce!

Toast panko:

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F (180°C fan-forced).

  • Combine and spray – Combine the panko and Taco Seasoning in a bowl. Pour onto a tray, spray with oil, unfold out, then spray once more (from peak, instantly down, so the panko would not blow off).

  • Bake for 7 minutes, mixing as soon as, till golden brown. Scrape right into a 20cm/8″ pan (or related, ease for crumbing a number of items).

Crumb and bake:

  • Rack – Put a rack on the used tray and spray the rack with oil (Observe 6).

  • Dredge batter – Whisk the Dredge elements in a bowl till lump free (it’s going to appear too thick at first, belief, it’s going to skinny to maple syrup fidelity). Add all of the hen, toss to coat.

  • Crumb – Decide up a bit of hen with one hand, let the surplus batter drip off. Lay it down within the crumbs. Repeat with 2 – 3 extra items. Along with your clear hand, cowl with breadcrumbs, press to stick, lay on rack. Repeat with remaining hen.

  • Heat tortillas – Separate tortillas into 2 stacks, wrap with foil.

  • Bake – Spray generously with oil. Put within the oven with the wrapped tortillas. Bake for 12 minutes – skinny strips cook dinner quick! (Observe 7).

  • Serve – Serve, stuffed in tortillas with fixings of alternative. My meeting order: take a heat tortilla, pile in a beneficiant quantity of Taco Slaw. Prime with 2 avocado slices, crunchy hen finger, drizzle with sriracha, sprinkle with coriander. BITE!

Recipe Notes:

See FAQ for different cook dinner strategies, making it gluten free and different frequent questions.
1. Tenderloins are environment friendly – simply reduce lengthways to make 2 fingers (or into 3 if giant). They’re additionally extra tender than breast. See FAQ if yours has a thick white vein operating by the center (most grocery shops ones have it eliminated).

  • Breast – reduce into strips then reduce every strip into fingers.
  • Different hen cuts – works however the finger shapes will likely be fascinating!

2. Panko – Japanese breadcrumb that makes issues further crunchy as a result of the crumbs are bigger. Staple at supermarkets in Australia lately, often the Asian part (cheaper at Asian shops). Substitute with common breadcrumbs, although it’s not as crunchy.
3. Taco fixings extra choices – Shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, taco sauce, pico de Gallo, salsa dip, guacamole, avocado sauce, bitter cream, pickled cabbage from Fish Tacos.
4. Tortilla sizes – Enjoyable small 10cm / 4″ measurement (pictured) – use 4 tacos per serving, or 3 for normal taco-size tortillas (~15cm/6″).
5. Pink taco sauce (child pleasant) – For the spice antagonistic / youngsters, recommend this as an alternative. Combine 1/3 cup bitter cream (or yogurt) with 1 tbsp ketchup, skinny barely with the tiniest droplets of water if wanted. Or, simply use ketchup!
6. Rack retains underside of fingers crunchier because it prevents it from sweating. See FAQ for wrinkly foil Japanese DIY hack!
7. If unsure, verify the interior temperature – it ought to be at the least 67°C/152.6°F which is completely cooked. Any longer and the hen will dry out. 10 minutes is definitely lengthy sufficient, however 12 minutes is safer in case some items are thicker.
8. Dipping sauce solutions when you skip the taco choice – easy Salsa Dip, Avocado Sauce, Pink Taco Sauce (Observe 5, change sriracha for ketchup for grown ups), Nachos Cheese Sauce, Queso (Mexican Cheese Dip). I personally would additionally use Honey Mustard Sauce (candy/savoury completely works), ranch can be fabulous, and even ketchup or BBQ sauce!
Leftover cooked hen will maintain for 3 to 4 days within the fridge, give it a fast 5 minute blast within the oven to re-crunch. Make forward by crumbing sooner than baking later not advisable as dredge will soak the crumbs.
Diet per taco for the hen finger and tortilla (16 items). Excludes fixings. Components in discarded panko and dredge batter, assumes 1/2 tsp oil from oil spray.

Diet Info:

Energy: 128cal (6%)Carbohydrates: 14g (5%)Protein: 9g (18%)Fats: 4g (6%)Saturated Fats: 1g (6%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 1gTrans Fats: 0.01gLdl cholesterol: 31mg (10%)Sodium: 362mg (16%)Potassium: 169mg (5%)Fiber: 1g (4%)Sugar: 1g (1%)Vitamin A: 166IU (3%)Vitamin C: 0.5mg (1%)Calcium: 45mg (5%)Iron: 1mg (6%)

Lifetime of Dozer

I frightened he was dropping his sense of scent then I realised the wind was blowing the fallacious manner.

(Additionally – what number of feedback will I get on the state of my automotive? I’ll by no means present you the within! 😂)

Taking residence fresh-from-the-oven Taco Hen Fingers for dinner!



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