Description
Crispy and flavorful cereal-crusted chicken strips made by coating tender chicken pieces in a seasoned flour mixture, dipping in an egg wash, and then coating with crushed cereal before baking or air frying to golden perfection. Perfect as a snack, appetizer, or main dish served with your favorite dipping sauces.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 1 ½ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
Coating
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Egg Wash
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tbsp milk
Cereal Crust
- 4 cups cereal (e.g., cornflakes, crispy rice, or Chex), crushed
Additional
- Cooking spray or oil (for baking or air frying)
Instructions
- Preheat: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C), or your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease it if baking.
- Prepare Coating Stations: In a shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt, and black pepper for the seasoned flour coating.
- Make Egg Wash: In a separate bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk until well combined.
- Prepare Cereal Crust: Place the crushed cereal in a third bowl ready for coating.
- Cut Chicken: If using whole chicken breasts, cut them into strips or nugget-size pieces suitable for easy coating and cooking.
- Coat Chicken Pieces: First, dredge each chicken piece in the seasoned flour mixture, ensuring an even coating.
- Dip in Egg Wash: Next, dip the floured chicken pieces into the egg and milk mixture, allowing any excess to drip off.
- Apply Cereal Coating: Thoroughly coat each piece with the crushed cereal, pressing gently to make the cereal adhere well to the surface.
- Arrange for Cooking: Place the coated chicken pieces in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet or inside the air fryer basket. Lightly spray the tops with cooking spray or brush with a small amount of oil to help with browning.
- Cook: If baking, cook in the preheated oven for 20–25 minutes, flipping the pieces halfway through cooking. The chicken is done when it’s golden brown and reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). If using the air fryer, cook for 12–15 minutes, flipping once halfway through the cooking time.
- Serve: Allow the chicken to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces for a delicious meal or snack.
Notes
- You can substitute the cereal with your preferred crunchy cereal like corn flakes, crispy rice, or Chex for different textures and flavors.
- Using cooking spray helps achieve a crispy crust without excess oil.
- Make sure not to overcrowd the baking sheet or air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
- The internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) ensures chicken is safely cooked.
- For extra flavor, consider adding herbs or spices like cayenne pepper or dried thyme to the flour mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes (oven) or 12-15 minutes (air fryer)
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
