Oven-Baked Crispy Chicken Sticks

Here is the recipe for making delicious oven-baked crispy chicken sticks, which are a healthier alternative to the fried version.

Ingredients

• 500 g of chicken breast
• 100 g of breadcrumbs
• 50 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon of sweet paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 eggs
• Extra virgin olive oil (for brushing)

Preparation

1. Pre-heat the oven to 200 °C.
2. Cut the chicken breast into long, thin strips, similar to sticks.
3. In a bowl, mix the breadcrumbs with the Parmesan, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to create the breading.
4. Beat the eggs in another bowl.
5. Dip each chicken stick first in the egg and then in the breading, ensuring the mixture sticks well to the chicken.
6. Place the breaded sticks on a baking tray lined with parchment paper and brush them lightly with extra virgin olive oil to help browning.
7. Bake in the oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
8. Halfway through cooking, you can turn the sticks to ensure they become crispy on all sides.

I recommend serving the oven-baked crispy chicken sticks with a sauce of your choice, such as mayonnaise, ketchup, or barbecue sauce.

Curiosity

Crispy chicken sticks have their origins in American cuisine, also known as “chicken fingers”, and are very popular especially among children. The baked version is lighter and healthier, but no less tasty than the fried one. With the addition of Parmesan and herbs in the breading, we gave the dish an Italian touch that enriches the flavor.