Chipotle Chicken Tenders

What you need: 

 measuring spoons/cups, medium non-stick frying pan, two medium-size shallow bowls for breading the chicken, baking sheet with a wire rack, cutting board, chef’s knife, paring knife, tongs, meat thermometer.

Serves 8 – 10 as an hors d’oeuvres

• 1.5 – 2 lbs chicken tenders (approx. 12 – 14 tenders)
• 2 cups chipotle panko breadcrumbs
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup canola oil
• salt
• pepper

Preheat oven to 350 °F. Crack eggs into a dish large enough to accommodate a chicken tender and beat. Add 1 tbs of cold water and combine. Place the panko breadcrumbs in a dish, again large enough to accommodate the chicken for the breading process.

Trim the tenders (removing the tendon). Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1/2 cup of the oil in a non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Dredge the tenders one at a time through the egg and then coat them with chipotle breadcrumbs. Carefully place in a frying pan (watch for spattering). Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. Brown on both sides and place on baking sheet over a wire rack. Add additional oil as necessary. Repeat the same process with all of the tenders. Bake for 20 – 30 minutes or until an internal temperature of 165°F. Serve immediately.

To Serve:

 Place on a serving platter alongside some blue cheese dip, carrots, and celery. Allow guests to help themselves.