You will never guess that these Parmesan Chicken Strips are grain free. The parmesan coating is crispy, delicious and works well baked.
Chicken strips are an iconic "kids food" with a bad reputation to go with it. They can be found on most children's menus and are often deep fried, unappetising and unhealthy. However, when done correctly, chicken strips can be a delicious and healthy part of a family meal. Due to their popularity with children, parents are always asking me for healthier alternatives. These parmesan chicken strips work great baked and are perfect for kids who have a gluten intolerance. You can add in some dried herbs and spices to suit taste but they taste delicious plain too.
My other chicken nugget style recipes include these quinoa crusted nuggets (my personal favourite) and coconut chicken tenders (which the boys adore). All the recipes involve dipping and coating and I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert now. Long gone are the days that I would have more coating on my fingers than the chicken!
COATING THE CHICKEN - TIPS AND TRICKS
If you are coating the chicken by yourself then I suggest you use one hand to dip in the egg and the other hand to dip in the parmesan/almond mixture. This stops the mixture building up on your fingers with every piece of chicken you coat. When I am cooking with the boys I usually give them different tasks. One dips in the egg, the other rolls in the crumb and I place on the rack. This makes the process a lot cleaner and easier.
I like to bake these parmesan chicken strips for two reasons. 1) It is healthier 2) It is easier. My two get hangry (so hungry that the lack of food causes them to become angry) around dinner time and I like to keep it stress-free. Placing the strips in the oven is much easier than standing over them when frying.
Kids love their finger foods usually because they come with a dip! I try to serve dips that have some added goodness in them (blended veggies) like this kale pesto, avocado dip or beet dip. Pictured is a zucchini hummus recipe from Jessica Sepel. My eldest absolutely loved it but my youngest preferred to dip them in greek yoghurt.
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Parmesan Chicken Strips
Ingredients
- 500g (2 large) Chicken Breasts, cut into strips See note 1
- 60g (¾ cup) Parmesan, grated See note 2
- 60g (â…” cup) Ground Almonds See note 3
- 1 Egg, lightly beaten
- Light spray of Olive oil
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 200C / 390F
- Mix the parmesan and ground almonds together and place in a shallow bowl /flat plate.
- Dip the chicken into the egg with one hand and then place in the parmesan mix. Use your other hand to sprinkle and roll in the parmesan mixture. Then transfer to rack on a baking tray. Repeat with remaining chicken.
- Lightly spray with oil and bake for approx 15-18 mins (depending on size of chicken strips)
- Serve straight away.
Recipe Notes
- I often use chicken tenders in this recipe to save me cutting breasts into strips. Simply replace the chicken breast with 500g / 1lb of chicken tenders.
- Â I buy a block of parmesan and freshly grate for this recipe. If you prefer you can replace with store bought fresh parmesan that you find in the chillers.
- You can replace the ground almonds with panko breadcrumbs if you do not have to worry about it being gluten free. You may need around another â…“ of a cup.Â
Jennifer says
I've struggled to find a meat recipe for my fussy 16 month old grandson but I made these and success he enjoyed them. Can these be frozen before or after cooking. Also can the egg be replaced with yoghurt?
Amy says
Hi Jennifer, I'm so glad your grandson enjoyed these, you can freeze them before or after cooking. I have never tried replacing the egg with yoghurt in this recipe but think it could work - worth a try!
Diane says
This looks amazing. Do you have to use the ground nuts. Can you just leave it with only parmesan?
Amy says
Thank you Diane, you could use breadcrumbs instead of the ground nuts 🙂
Cheri says
Can you use the canned Parmesan if you don’t have fresh?
Amy says
Hi Cheri, personally I don't like the flavour of canned parmesan so I only ever use fresh. It should work though 🙂
Den says
Does this recipe not require salt
Amy says
Hi Den, I don't tend to add salt to my recipes as it is targeted to parents of babies and young kids. You can of course, season to taste 🙂
Jenny Haight says
Can you use almond flour instead ?
Amy says
Hi Jenny, yes you can 🙂 Enjoy
Carla says
Looks yummy. Thank you for sharing. Would they work as fish fingers as well? How long would they take to cook in the over
Amy says
Thanks Carla, I've not tried fish with this coating but it would be worth a try and can't think of a reason they wouldn't work.
Bernadette says
We had these for dinner and they were a hit! Delicious recipe thank you!
Amy says
Thanks Bernadette! Happy you liked them!