Hands down. This combination of toasted panko and peanuts is crunchy. It’s very crunchy. It’s crazy tasty crunchy! Which makes these Crunchy Crusted Chicken Strips with Chipotle Honey Mustard super tasty crazy crunchy.
I am a muncher.
I like to eat things that crunch and will reach for potato chips or pretzels over anything sweet. Tortilla chips. Fried chicken, fried okra. All these foods are the perfect, crunchy, tasty treats for me. BUT they’re not perfect for my *ahem*. So, I’m always trying to make healthier versions of these foods I LOVE to snack on.
I’ve made some pretty tasty and crunchy oven fried okra in the past. Like seriously crunchy! Man were they good!! I should make them again. I’ve been always in search of a truly oven “fried” recipe that was crunchy enough to suit me and those did.
But for some reason, I’ve had a hankering for some chicken strips with honey mustard. I have no idea why. I have cravings like a preggers person, but I’m not. Never have been. So, when I saw the topic of this week’s theme, I knew what I was making.
No questions asked.
A few recipes I’ve seen recently have toasted the panko. Since I only partially read directions to recipes, I didn’t read the whole thing to find the logic. I stopped and said, “Hm. Wonder if that makes them crisper. I should try that.” So I did. And it does. I added some nice, crunchy peanuts to enhance the crunch factor. You can see I was going all out to make these Crunchy Crusted Chicken Strips as crunchy as possible to curb my craving for some chicken strips.
I’ve made oven fried with corn flakes, potato chips, pretzels, croutons, regular bread crumbs, panko bread crumbs, nuts, you name it! I have been trying to find the best crunch. Hands down. This combination of toasted panko and peanuts is crunchy. It’s very crunchy. It’s crazy tasty crunchy! Okay. I got a little carried away with that last one. *shrugs*
BUT with this crunch comes responsibility.
Sauce. It needs to be a good sauce that truly compliments the crunchy, toasty, nutty flavor of the strips. Hmm… LOVE me some honey mustard, but I didn’t want to make just ANY honey mustard. I wanted a spicy one. Spicy = chipotle to me. I chopped up a nice and spicy chipotle, added some of the adobo sauce and made a sweet, tangy, spicy sauce.
This is a perfect, quick, and easy game day nibble. It’s great for picky kids. I mean, who doesn’t love peanuts? Oh well, I guess those who are allergic, but you could replace it with toasted sunflower seeds, pepitas, any nut you want and it’ll be just as tasty good.
Crunchy Crusted Chicken Strips with Chipotle Honey Mustard
These Crunchy Crusted Chicken Strips with Chipotle Honey Mustard is a perfect, quick, and easy game day nibble. It's great for picky kids. I mean, who doesn't love peanuts?
Ingredients
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs, toasted
- 1/2 cup dry-roasted peanuts, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup egg substitute
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons chipotle in adobo sauce
- 1 whole chipotle in a adobo, finely diced
- 1 pound chicken tenders
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 425.
- Combine panko and peanuts in a shallow dish. Stir to combine.
- Combine egg substitute and 1/4 cup Dijon mustard and stir to combine.
- Sprinkle garlic salt and pepper on both sides of each chicken tender. Dredge in Dijon mixture then coat in panko mixture. Place on a baking sheet covered with aluminum foil coated with cooking spray.
- Bake at 420 to 15 minutes, turn the strips over and bake an additional 15 to 20 minutes or until cooked through.
- Combine the honey, 1/3 cup Dijon mustard, adobo sauce and diced chipotle chile in a small bowl. Stir well to combine.
- Serve chicken strips with chipotle mustard sauce.
Summers Acres says
Yum.
Thanks for sharing with us at The HomeAcre Hop!
Please join us again Thursday for our special harvest themed hop at:
http://summersacres.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-homeacre-harvest-hop.html
~Ann
Jennie says
Looks so good! Thanks for sharing!
I have a giveaway going on, would love for you to check it out!
http://thediaryofarealhousewife.blogspot.com
Michelle says
"BUT with this crunch comes responsibility." You crack me up!
I love honey mustard and your chipotle version is something I need. Need, I tell you!
Thank you for sharing with See Ya in the Gumbo, Christie!
Lynn Huntley says
Stopping by from See Ya in the Gumbo~ Wonderful and delicious! This looks like something I would absolutely love:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Faye Leong says
Love the combination especially the chipotle mustard sauce…..thanks you for sharing!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
Great flavor combo, Christie!
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
Yum! I am a chicken finger and sauce fiend. I'll be honest, I usually don't settle for anything less than 3 different sauces. I'm glad to have another one to add to my repertoire.
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
I'm loving this mustard dip, and that you used peanuts in your breading. Brilliant!
Jessica M says
YUM! On the menu!
Renee Goerger says
Love that you've added peanuts into the mix! D-LISH! I really like the sound of this recipe!
Renee – Kudos Kitchen
Cheryl King says
Looks super yummy! Thanks for sharing with the crunch bunch at #sunday supper.
Sarah Reid says
Wowee! Those are some delicious strips
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Love the peanuts, and what a great idea with the panko!
mail4rosey says
LOL at the shrugs line. 🙂 I like crunchy too. I've used many of the things you listed, and this looks like a recipe the fam. would like. Thank you for linking to Super Sunday Sync!
Bobbi Burleson says
I love the Chipotle Honey Mustard! I am not a huge fan of honey mustard but with the chipotle? I am on board 🙂
Anne @ Webicurean says
Those looks amazingly crispy! I love stuff like this–this will probably go on the menu this week!
Dorothy at Shockingly Delicious says
Sweet, hot, and crunchy is the perfect trifecta!
Tara Noland says
Love, love, love the peanuts in there and that spicy yummy dipping sauce!!
Shaina Wizov says
Chipotle honey mustard?!?!?! Ohmygosh sounds delicious!
Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom says
Love the addition of the dry-roasted peanuts for the coating! Brilliant and what an extra crunch!
Family foodie says
My kids would love these! I can't wait to try these!
Renee says
My husband would love these crunchy chicken strips with the peanuts in the coating. Yum! Nice sauce too.
Susan says
The peanuts sound like an interesting touch, but I bet they are delicious with the chicken.
Heather King says
That chipotle mustard sounds amazing!
Jennifer@ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I could eat the whole batch! Love the peanuts and panko breadcrumbs, heck, I love the whole recipe!!