Healthy Buffalo Chicken Finger Tenders & Peas – NO Fast / Frozen Food Necessary
This recipe uses homemade breadcrumbs made from flax bread. No fake and unnecessary fillers, added hormones, water or sodium will be found in these tenders. They turn out perfectly golden brown when baked (no frying necessary) and are super light and crunchy, the ideal dipping vehicle for sauces, dips and relishes. Also, as they are mainly lean meat, you know your kiddo will be getting enough protein dense nutrients and vitamins for the day. The pea salad is equally inviting, colorful and jam packed full of flavor so your kiddos will get their veggies too!
6 Servings
Chicken Tenders
1.5lb lean chicken or turkey breast pounded about ½ thick and cut into 1inch tenders
3 slices whole grain flax bread (I like the one by Alvarado Bakery), toasted, dried and blitzed into breadcrumbs in food processor
1/2tsp each salt & black pepper
1/8tsp smoked paprika
1/4tsp each garlic onion powders, paprika
1/2 tbsp olive oil
1 egg whisked
2tbs hot sauce
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Finger Tenders & Peas: Side Green Pea Salad :
4 cups frozen steamed peas (defrosted ready to use)
2 cups lightly steamed spinach leaves, chopped
2 cups cooked quinoa
1 cup diced cherry tomatoes
Handful chopped fresh mint
¾ cup crumbled feta cheese
Lime juice, EVOO, S&P to taste
Method
Mix whisked egg with hot sauce, spices and oil. Dip each piece of chicken in egg mixture, then dip lightly in bowl of breadcrumbs, place on parchment lined baking sheet, repeat for all pieces. Place in pre-heated oven (350*F) for about 15 minutes depending on the size and thickness of the tenders. If they are not sufficiently crunchy and golden brown after about 15 minutes, crank up heat to broil for about 3 minutes, watching it closely as you don’t want the breadcrumbs to burn, just turn a nice crunchy golden brown. Remove immediately and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Meanwhile, when chicken is cooking, assemble the pea salad. Combine all of the ingredients, add S&P to taste, drizzle with EVOO and lemon juice and zest. Serve room temperature with chicken.
We like to serve up the tenders with a variety of dipping sauces – sour cream, buffalo sauce, ketchup… go wild. Try a bite with each different sauce to find your favorite!
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Finger Tenders & Pees
