Hey there, food lovers! Are you craving something crunchy and satisfying but trying to keep things on the healthier side? Well, get ready to meet your new best friend: oven-baked chicken poppers!
These aren't your average greasy, fried snacks. We're talking about crispy, flavorful chicken bites that are baked to golden perfection, not dunked in a deep fryer. And the secret to that amazing crunch? Cornflakes! Yes, you heard it right. We're rolling these little guys in crushed cornflakes for a seriously satisfying texture.
The magic doesn't stop there, though. We're loading these poppers up with flavor using parmesan cheese and a blend of delicious spices like garlic, paprika, and black pepper. It's a party in your mouth, I promise! But what's a good popper without an equally amazing dipping sauce? That's why we're pairing them with a homemade parmesan-ranch dipping sauce. This isn't your run-of-the-mill, store-bought sauce. We're blending sour cream, parmesan, lemon, and chives into a zesty and creamy dip that will have you licking the bowl clean.
Why you'll love this recipe:
- Healthier Choice: Baked, not fried, for a lighter option.
- Super Crunchy: Cornflakes give the perfect crispy coating.
- Bursting with Flavor: Parmesan and spices make these poppers irresistible.
- Easy to Make: Perfect for busy weeknights or a quick snack.
- Customizable: Use it to inspire your own creations and save the recipes in Menuistia!
So, are you ready to get cooking? Let’s dive into the details!
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
- ½ teaspoon salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ⅓ cup flour
- 2 ½ cups cornflakes
- 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon granulated garlic
- ¼ cup buttermilk
- Cooking spray
For the Parmesan-Ranch Sauce:
- 1 cup sour cream
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- ⅓ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 clove garlic
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 teaspoons lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped chives
Instructions:
- Make the Dipping Sauce: Combine all sauce ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth. Refrigerate while you prepare the rest.
- Prep the Chicken: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil. In a bowl, toss the chicken pieces with minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Let it marinate briefly while you prep the coating.
- Crush the Cornflakes: In a food processor, finely crush the cornflakes with parmesan, paprika, salt, pepper and granulated garlic and then add to a ziplock bag
- Coat the Chicken: Dredge the chicken pieces in flour in a separate ziplock bag, then dip in buttermilk and then finally coat with the cornflake mixture.
- Bake: Arrange the coated chicken on the baking sheet in a single layer. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Bake for 20 minutes, or until cooked through (internal temp reaches 165°F or 74°C).
- Broil (Optional): For extra crispiness, broil for 2 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning.
- Serve: Serve hot with the parmesan-ranch sauce.
Tips for Perfection:
- Make sure to crush the cornflakes finely for an even, crispy coating. This also works well with gluten free cornflakes.
- Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet. Leave some space for the chicken to get properly crispy.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. Add a pinch of cayenne for a little kick, or some Italian herbs for a different flavor profile. Use the same approach with the Menuistia app and save your favorite versions.
- Use this recipe as a base, get creative and try different coatings, different sauces and different meats/proteins to expand your menu planning and options. Plan all of this easily in the Menuistia app.
This simple recipe is perfect for a healthy and fun meal. Try it out and let me know what you think! And don’t forget to check out Menuistia to make menu planning a snap. Happy cooking!