Get ready to revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine with the most mouthwatering chicken fingers you'll ever taste! Imagine perfectly crispy, golden-brown chicken strips coated in everything bagel seasoning, cooked to perfection in an air fryer, and served with a tantalizing honey mustard dip that will have everyone at the table begging for seconds. These aren't just any chicken fingers - these are the ultimate crowd-pleasing, flavor-packed meal that combines the convenience of air frying with the irresistible crunch of everything bagel seasoning.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 22 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb chicken breast, cut into strips
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp everything bagel seasoning
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken by cutting 1 lb of chicken breast into even, finger-sized strips, approximately 1-inch wide and 3-4 inches long. Pat the chicken strips dry with paper towels to ensure proper breading adherence.
- In a shallow bowl, mix breadcrumbs with everything bagel seasoning, ensuring the seasoning is evenly distributed throughout the breadcrumb mixture.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg thoroughly until well combined and smooth.
- Dip each chicken strip first into the beaten egg, allowing excess to drip off, then coat completely in the seasoned breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating adheres well to the chicken.
- Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for 3 minutes to ensure proper cooking temperature.
- Arrange chicken fingers in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overlapping. Depending on basket size, you may need to cook in batches.
- Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through cooking time, until chicken is golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- While chicken is cooking, prepare honey mustard dip by whisking together honey and Dijon mustard in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Once cooked, let chicken fingers rest for 2-3 minutes to allow coating to set and juices to redistribute.
- Serve hot with prepared honey mustard dip on the side for dipping.
Tips
- Moisture is the Enemy: Always pat your chicken strips completely dry before breading. This ensures the egg and breadcrumb mixture sticks perfectly and creates an extra crispy exterior.
- Don't Overcrowd: Cook in batches if necessary. Overcrowding the air fryer basket prevents proper air circulation and can result in soggy chicken fingers.
- Temperature is Key: Use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken reaches the safe internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). This guarantees both safety and juiciness.
- Seasoning Hack: For an extra flavor boost, add a pinch of garlic powder or paprika to your breadcrumb mixture.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prepare the chicken fingers and leave them breaded in the refrigerator for up to 2 hours before cooking, making meal prep a breeze.
- Dipping Sauce Variations: While honey mustard is classic, feel free to experiment with ranch, BBQ sauce, or a spicy aioli for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 321kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
