ALMOND CRUSTED CHICKEN FINGERS
Rather than a heavy coating, these chicken fingers are lightly covered in a spicy ground almond and whole-wheat flour mixture that'll have the kids forgetting about fast food and begging for this dinnertime treat. EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry Cookbook by The Editors of EatingWell
Makes 4 servings
• Canola oil cooking spray • 1/2 cup sliced almonds • 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour • 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder • 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard • 1/4 teaspoon salt • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper • 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil • 4 egg whites (see Note] • 1 pound chicken tenders
1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Set a wire rack on a foil-lined baking sheet and coat with cooking spray.
2. Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout, about 1 minute. With the motor running, drizzle in oil; process until combined. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.
3. Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish. Add chicken tenders and turn to coat. Transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly. (Discard any remaining egg white and almond mixture.) Place the tenders on the prepared rack and coat with cooking spray; turn and spray the other side.
4. Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.
Ingredient note: Dried egg whites are convenient in recipes like this one because you don't have to figure out what to do with 4 egg yolks. Look for powdered brands like Just Whites in the baking aisle or natural-foods section or fresh pasteurized whites in the dairy case of most supermarkets.
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