Description
Cheddar Dijon chicken tenders combine tangy mustard with sharp cheddar for a mouthwatering main dish. Crispy breading and bold flavors make these tenders a crowd-pleasing meal you’ll want to savor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb/454 g chicken tenders
- 2 cups/240 g cheddar cheese crackers, crushed into fine crumbs
- ½ cup/120 ml all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup/60 ml dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp/15 ml honey
- 1 tbsp/15 ml olive oil
- 1 tsp/5 ml garlic powder
- ½ tsp/2.5 ml smoked paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 400F (200C), line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wire rack, and lightly spray with cooking spray to prevent adhesion.
- Crumb Creation: Pulverize cheddar crackers into fine, uniform crumbs using a rolling pin or food processor, transferring to a shallow dish for efficient coating.
- Flavor Infusion: Whisk together Dijon mustard, honey, olive oil, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl until achieving a harmonious, smooth blend.
- Coating Technique: Dust chicken tenders with flour, thoroughly immerse in mustard mixture, then meticulously press into cracker crumbs, ensuring complete and even coverage.
- Culinary Transformation: Arrange coated tenders on prepared baking sheet with strategic spacing, roast for 18-22 minutes, rotating midway to guarantee golden-brown perfection and reaching an internal temperature of 165F.
- Serving Presentation: Rest tenders for 5 minutes post-baking to preserve moisture, then plate with complementary dipping sauces like honey mustard or ranch for a gourmet finishing touch.
Notes
- Cracker Coating Technique: Crush crackers finely for maximum crispiness, using a rolling pin or food processor to create uniform, small crumbs that adhere perfectly to chicken.
- Temperature Precision: Use a meat thermometer to confirm 165F internal temperature, preventing undercooked chicken while maintaining juicy texture.
- Marinade Absorption: Let chicken sit in Dijon mixture for 10-15 minutes before coating to enhance flavor penetration and moisture retention.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Substitute regular crackers with gluten-free alternatives and use gluten-free flour to make the recipe suitable for those with dietary restrictions.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg