Crispy Turmeric Chicken Tenders (Printer-friendly)

Golden, crunchy chicken infused with fragrant turmeric and warming spices, ideal for a delicious family meal or party appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 1.3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken tenders or chicken breast, cut into strips

→ Marinade

02 - 2 tablespoons plain yogurt or dairy-free alternative
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 2 teaspoons ground turmeric
05 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
06 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
08 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
09 - ¾ teaspoon salt

→ Breading

10 - 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
11 - ½ cup all-purpose flour
12 - 1 teaspoon turmeric
13 - ½ teaspoon salt
14 - ½ teaspoon black pepper

→ Cooking

15 - Olive oil spray or 3 tablespoons neutral oil for baking or shallow frying

# How to Make It:

01 - Whisk together yogurt, olive oil, turmeric, cumin, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, and salt in a bowl. Add chicken strips and toss to coat evenly. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours for deeper flavor penetration.
02 - Preheat oven to 425°F or heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat if shallow frying.
03 - Combine breadcrumbs, flour, turmeric, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish until well blended.
04 - Dredge each marinated chicken strip in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing firmly to ensure thorough coating adherence.
05 - Arrange chicken on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Spray lightly with oil. Bake for 18-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and cooked through with internal temperature reaching 165°F.
06 - For frying: Cook chicken strips in batches for 3-4 minutes per side until crispy and fully cooked. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
07 - Serve immediately with preferred dipping sauce such as yogurt-herb dip or sweet chili sauce.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The turmeric creates the most gorgeous golden crust that makes everyone ask whats in the seasoning
  • These reheat surprisingly well for lunch the next day, if they last that long
02 -
  • Patting chicken slightly dry before marinating helps the coating adhere better and prevents soggy spots
  • A wire rack is essential for oven baking so air circulates underneath for all-over crispiness
03 -
  • Letting chicken marinate overnight transforms the flavor dramatically if you have time to plan ahead
  • Spraying oil generously after breading creates an even more golden and crispy exterior
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