Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips on a plate garnished with herbs

Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips

ByCasey Monroe

Why Make This Recipe

Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips are a delicious twist on traditional fried chicken. They are healthier because they are baked instead of deep-fried, but they still have that crispy and flavorful coating everyone loves. This recipe is great for busy weeknights, family gatherings, or meal prep. Plus, it pairs perfectly with sweet potato fries and a refreshing slaw. You’ll impress your family and friends with this tasty dish!

How to Make Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips

Making these chicken strips is easy! You will coat tender chicken tenderloins in a flavorful mix and bake them until golden brown. Here’s how:

  1. Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) and preparing a baking tray.

  2. In a bowl, whisk the eggs. In another bowl, mix the flour, panko breadcrumbs, sea salt, pepper, paprika, oregano, thyme, garlic powder, and onion powder.

  3. Take each chicken tenderloin, dip it in the whisked eggs, then coat it in the breadcrumb mixture. Place them on the baking tray.

  4. Drizzle olive oil and melted butter over the coated chicken strips for extra flavor and crispiness.

  5. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the coating is crispy.

  6. While the chicken strips are baking, prepare the sweet potato fries. Slice the sweet potatoes into 1 cm thick fries and toss them with cornflour, paprika, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Spread them on a separate baking tray and bake alongside the chicken for about 20-30 minutes.

  7. For a refreshing slaw, mix the finely shredded cabbage with olive oil, apple cider vinegar, salt, pepper, dill, chives, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl.

  8. Once the chicken and fries are ready, serve them hot with the slaw on the side.

Ingredients

  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • 600 g (1 lb 5 oz) chicken tenderloins (see note 1)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 60 g (2 oz) unsalted butter
  • Olive oil spray
  • 1 cup (150 g) plain (all-purpose) flour
  • 1½ cups (90 g) panko breadcrumbs
  • 1½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • 2 large sweet potatoes, sliced into 1 cm (1/2 inch) thick fries
  • 1 tbsp cornflour (cornstarch)
  • 1 tsp sweet paprika
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • ¼ cup (60 ml) buttermilk
  • ¼ cup (60 g) whole-egg mayonnaise
  • ¼ cup (60 g) sour cream (can be substituted with Greek yoghurt)
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice (can be substituted with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar)
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, plus extra to garnish (optional)
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh dill
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp onion powder
  • ¼ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • ½ tsp sea salt flakes
  • ¼ tsp freshly cracked black pepper
  • 4 cups (300 g) finely shredded green cabbage

How to Serve Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips

Serve your southern fried baked chicken strips hot with sweet potato fries on the side. Garnish with extra fresh herbs, like chives or dill, for a pop of color and flavor. You can also add your favorite dipping sauces like ranch or honey mustard for a tasty twist.

How to Store Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips

To keep the leftovers fresh, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can last for 3-4 days. When you’re ready to eat them, reheat in the oven for the best texture.

Tips to Make Southern Fried Baked Chicken Strips

  • Make sure your chicken is patted dry before coating; this helps the breadcrumbs stick better.
  • For extra flavor, marinate the chicken in buttermilk for a few hours before breading.
  • If you want a more intense flavor, feel free to add your favorite spices or herbs to the breadcrumb mixture.

Variation

You can easily customize this recipe by using different types of meat, like pork or tofu. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs and flour.

FAQs

1. Can I make this recipe in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the chicken strips and sweet potato fries ahead of time. Just bake them when you’re ready to serve.

2. What can I serve with southern fried baked chicken strips?
Great sides include coleslaw, corn on the cob, or any fresh salad for a balanced meal.

3. How do I know when the chicken is cooked?
Chicken is cooked through when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C). You can also cut into one of the strips to check it’s no longer pink in the center.