Nashville hot chicken is a beloved Southern dish known for its fiery kick and finger-licking goodness. However, traditional recipes can be heavy on calories and saturated fats. Not to worry, as we’ve crafted a lighter version of Healthy Nashville Hot Chicken Strips that are baked rather than fried, guilt-free and have a kick! They are fast and easy, thanks to a secret ingredient found below! Get ready to enjoy the perfect balance of heat and health with this delicious recipe!
What Is Nashville Hot Chicken?
Nashville Hot Chicken is more than just a spicier chicken; it’s a cultural phenomenon rooted in the heart of Tennessee. What makes it so special is the perfect balance of crispy, succulent chicken strips doused in a fiery yet flavorful spice blend. It’s a social experience, bringing people together, making it a popular choice for gatherings and celebrations.
Dip and Bake Your Healthy Nashville Hot Chicken Strips
To prepare your chicken strips, preheat your oven to 400°F. Using a sharp knife, slice up 3 chicken breasts into even strips. When slicing chicken breasts, you may end up with some irregular pieces, but don’t worry. This creates a rustic charm that lends to a delicious mix of extra crispy areas. For a more uniform look, use chicken tenderloins as they are precut and close in size and shape (but be sure to remove the tendons).
Next, in a medium bowl, whisk your two eggs so your chicken strips are ready for dipping. In another medium bowl, add two cups of panko along with your secret weapon! What is the secret, timesaving ingredient to your Healthy Nashville Hot Chicken Strips? Spicewalla’s Nashville Hot Chicken Spice Blend! This takes all the guess work out of this special dish. Simply mix the spices with panko breadcrumbs for a delicious, lighter outer coating with kick. For added heat, you can increase the amount of the spice blend.
To coat, dip your chicken strips in egg and then coat with the panko spice mixture. Place coated chicken strips onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Healthy Nashville Hot Chicken Strips are baked, rather than fried, to create a lighter, less oily chicken strip. This saves on calories and unhealthy saturated fats, making it a far healthier dish. Before popping into the oven, sprinkle your prepared chicken strips with desired salt and pepper and spray with some olive oil. Bake at 400°F for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown. Fast, easy and healthy! Packed with spicy goodness, serve with your favorite dipping sauce or healthy side salad! Pair with a Texas Ranch Water cocktail for additional light Southern flavors!
Healthy Nashville Hot Chicken Strips
Equipment
- 1 Cookie Sheet
- Parchment Paper
- 2 bowls, medium
Ingredients
- 3 chicken breasts, cut into uniform strips (you may substitute with chicken tenderloins)
- 2 eggs, whisked
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs, plain
- 2 tbsp Spicewalla Nashville Hot Chicken blend
- olive oil spray
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Using a sharp knife, slice chicken breasts into even strips. You can substitute with chicken tenderloins for a more uniform look, removing the tendons.
- In a medium bowl, whisk the two eggs for dipping. In a second medium bowl, add two cups of panko along with 2 tbsp. of Spicewalla's Nashville Hot Chicken Spice Blend. Mix spice blend with panko breadcrumbs for a delicious, lighter outer coating with some heat. For added heat, you can increase the amount of the spice blend.
- To coat, dip your chicken strips in egg mixture and then into your panko spice mixture. Place coated chicken strips onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper. Before popping into the oven, sprinkle your prepared chicken strips with desired salt and pepper and spray with some olive oil.
- Bake at 400°F for approximately 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or healthy side salad!
Notes
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