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Panko Sesame Chicken Tenders
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Panko Sesame Chicken Tenders

Crispy pan-fried chicken tenders coated with panko breadcrumbs and black and white sesame seeds for an ultra-crunchy finish that's perfect dipped in a tangy sriracha mayo or sliced and served atop a crisp romaine salad.

Cook Time
8 mins
Total Time
45 mins
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese, American

Ingredients

  • 1½ pounds chicken tenderloin about 8-10 large-ish tenders, or an equally sized chicken breast, cut diagonally into ¾-inch thick strips
  • ¼ cup all-purpose flour
  • salt freshly ground
  • black pepper freshly ground
  • 1 egg
  • ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup white sesame seeds
  • 2 tablespoons black sesame seeds
  • vegetable oil for cooking
For dipping sauce/dressing:
  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 garlic very finely minced or grated, clove
  • 3 tablespoons lime juice from 1-2 limes
  • 2 teaspoons sriracha more or less to taste
  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • water as needed

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a bowl or shallow dish (big enough to fit a full length tender), season flour with a generous pinch of salt and pepper.
  2. In another bowl, whisk egg with a tablespoon of water.
  3. In a third bowl or shallow dish, combine panko with white and black sesame seeds until evenly distributed.
  4. Dredge tenders in the flour to coat, shaking off any excess flour. Dip into the egg, flipping to coat both sides, and then transfer info dish with breadcrumbs. Toss some crumbs over top, then flip and press until entire strip is evenly coated. Transfer to a plate or cutting board and repeat with remaining tenders.
  5. Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Fill pan with approximately oil to a 1/4-inch depth, and let heat until it starts to shimmer.
  6. Working in batches, gently lay coated tenders into hot oil, arranging them so they do not touch in the pan (you'll probably need to cook two batches). Let cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until golden brown, then carefully flip and cook another 3 to 4 minutes more. The tender should be more than cooked through at this point, but if you want to double check, an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest point should read 165 degrees F or more.
  7. Transfer chicken to a wire cooling rack set inside a cookie sheet. To keep them warm while you cook the rest of the tenders, place cookie sheet in a 175 degree oven. Add additional oil to the pan if necessary, the cook remaining tenders in the same manner.
  8. Meanwhile, to make dipping sauce, whisk together mayo, garlic, lime juice, sriracha, soy sauce, and sesame oil. If using as a dip, stop here. If using as a dressing for a salad, add a teaspoon or two of water as needed to thin it out to a more drizzle-able consistency.