If you enjoy Chinese food and are seeking a tasty appetizer or snack, this appealing Chinese chicken fingers recipe is for you. These delicious chicken fingers are crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and flavorful. Whether you’re throwing a party or need a tasty snack, these Chinese chicken fingers will not disappoint.
Chinese Chicken Fingers Recipe
Equipment
- Frying pan
Ingredients
- 500 grams chicken breast
- 2 cups flour
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup non-alcoholic beer (malt or lemon)
- 1/2 tbsp baking powder
- 2 cups oil (for frying)
- 1 tsp each of salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and thyme powder
- 1/2 tsp Aleppo pepper
Instructions
- Begin by prepping the chicken. Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch wide thin strips. This ensures even frying as well as a delicious crunch.
- Combine the flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, thyme powder, and Aleppo pepper in a mixing bowl. Combine them thoroughly to make a delicious coating for the chicken fingers.
- In a separate dish, whisk the eggs until thoroughly combined. Continue mixing the eggs with the non-alcoholic beer of your choice (malt or lemon) until incorporated. This beer-infused egg combination will add to the crispy texture and improve the overall flavor.
- Dip each chicken strip into the egg and beer mixture, coating completely. Then, roll the chicken strip through the flour mixture to coat it evenly. The exterior will be satisfyingly crispy due to the double-coating process.
- Heat the oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or deep pan. Once the oil is heated enough, carefully drop a few coated chicken fingers and fry until golden brown. Continue in batches until all of the chicken fingers are cooked.
- Remove the fried chicken fingers from the oil and place them on a platter lined with paper towels. This absorbs excess oil, making them crispy and light.
Video
Naturally Fresh Tartar Sauce
Now that you’ve mastered making crispy and tasty Chinese chicken fingers, it’s time to step up your dipping game. Serve these delectable chicken fingers with a tangy and refreshing tartar sauce that complements their flavor nicely.
Gather the following items to make the tartar sauce:
- 3 pickles, finely chopped
- 100 grams each of basil, dill, and green onion, finely chopped
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Quick tartar sauce preparation
Combine the pickles, basil, dill, and green onion in a mixing dish. Mix in the mayonnaise, olive oil, and lemon juice until well blended. With its vivid aromas, this homemade tartar sauce will take your Chinese chicken fingers to the next level.
What do the Chinese fingers mean?
In the context of food, the word “Chinese fingers” has no specific connotation. It is neither a traditional Chinese meal nor a well-known culinary phrase. Indeed, the word “Chinese fingers” appears to be a Western term for crispy chicken strips or fingers frequently associated with Chinese-inspired flavors and ingredients. The adjective “Chinese” in the name is most likely intended to suggest a sense of exoticism and East Asian cuisine.
The crunchy texture and salty flavor of these crispy chicken fingers make them a favorite item on many Chinese-American restaurant menus. As a result, when you see “Chinese fingers” on a menu, it usually refers to a Western rendition of crispy chicken strips with a hint of Chinese-inspired seasonings rather than a specific Chinese cuisine with cultural value.
What are gold fingers on a Chinese menu?
Now that we’ve covered the recipe let’s address some common questions when discussing Chinese chicken fingers.
Gold fingers are deep-fried delicacies that are crispy and golden in color and are frequently found on Chinese menus. They can contain various items, such as chicken, fish, or veggies covered in a crispy batter, like in the Chinese chicken fingers we just discussed.
What is the difference between chicken strips and chicken fingers?
Although chicken strips and fingers are frequently used interchangeably, there is a distinction. Chicken strips are usually thicker and chopped into long, thin pieces, whereas chicken fingers are smaller, shorter, and shaped like fingers. They are very similar in terms of taste and preparation.
What are gold fingers on a Chinese menu?
Now that we’ve covered the recipe let’s address some common questions when discussing Chinese chicken fingers.
Gold fingers are deep-fried delicacies that are crispy and golden in color and are frequently found on Chinese menus. They can contain various items, such as chicken, fish, or veggies covered in a crispy batter, like in the Chinese chicken fingers we just discussed.
What is the difference between chicken strips and chicken fingers?
Although chicken strips and fingers are frequently used interchangeably, there is a distinction. Chicken strips are usually thicker and chopped into long, thin pieces, whereas chicken fingers are smaller, shorter, and shaped like fingers. They are very similar in terms of taste and preparation.
Do Chinese chicken fingers contain eggs?
Yes, before adding the flour mixture to the chicken strips, an egg mixture is usually used to coat them. The egg aids in the adhesion of the flour to the chicken and contributes to the crispy texture.
What can I use instead of egg for chicken fingers?
If you don’t want to use eggs, there are a few options you can try. For example, a milk and cornstarch mixture can have a similar binding effect. Another option is to dip the chicken in buttermilk or yogurt before coating it in flour.
Are chicken fingers fully cooked?
They should be cooked appropriately to guarantee that chicken fingers are safe to consume. The frying technique thoroughly cooks the chicken, producing soft, juicy meat. To ensure they are thoroughly cooked, use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Why are my chicken fingers soggy?
Several circumstances can cause soggy chicken fingers. Overcrowding the pan during frying is a common mistake that decreases the oil temperature and results in a greasy, less crispy quality. Furthermore, failing to adequately drain the fried chicken on paper towels can result in excess oil retention, resulting in a mushy result.
How do you keep chicken fingers crispy?
To keep the crispiness of your chicken fingers, drain them on paper towels immediately after frying. This aids in the removal of excess oil. If serving them later, keep them warm and crispy by placing them on a wire rack in a preheated oven at a low temperature (about 200°F or 95°C).
Can I use mayo instead of eggs?
Yes, you may use mayo instead of eggs to cover chicken fingers. Apply a thin layer of mayonnaise to the chicken strips before coating them with the flour mixture. This change might give your chicken fingers a distinct tanginess.