These became an instant favorite in our house the very first time I made them.
Tender, juicy, perfectly cooked and completely and totally versatile.
These are a Win, Win, Win, no matter what you do with them.
This is one of those rare recipes that you can cook once but use in so many different ways. Eat them as is, on a plate with your favorite side dishes. Smother them in white gravy for Chicken Fried Steak. Eat them in a sandwich with a little lettuce, tomato and mayo. Cut them in to “fingers” for the kids. Sprinkle a little hot or buffalo sauce on them and dip them in creamy, cool ranch or blue cheese dressing. Smother them with your favorite marinara sauce, some Mozzarella and Parmesan and you’ve got a fanstastic Chicken Parmesan.
Oh, and they freeze beautifully!
Adapted slightly from Chicken Fried Chicken from Allrecipes
- 20 buttery crackers
- 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
- 2 tablespoons dry potato flakes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- vegetable oil for frying
- 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
Place the buttery crackers in a baggie and crush to a semi-crumbly powder. Dump the crumbs in to a shallow bowl and add 2 tablespoons flour, potato flakes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
In another shallow bowl, add the remaining 1/4 cup flour.
In a third shallow bowl, beat the egg and milk until well combined.
Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts. Lay flat on a cutting board and with a *very* sharp knife, slice them in half, horizontally to make four thin filets.
Here’s a trick I’ve been using for years. Whenever a recipe calls for dredging meat in wet and dry ingredients, I always dredge it in flour first. The reason is, raw meat is moist. The wet ingredients won’t stick to something that is already moist, it just runs off. So, I always run it through a little flour first. This initial coating soaks up the moisture on the surface and gives the wet ingredients something to actually stick to, providing a better base for the last dry ingredients.
Start heating your skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. While the pan is heating, run your chicken pieces through the flour, shaking off any excess, then run through the egg mixture and finally in to the butter cracker mixture. Test the pan by tossing in a few crumbs. When they sizzle, it’s ready. Go ahead and add chicken.
Because these cook wicked fast, about 2-3 per side, I cook them in batches because it’s easier to watch two pieces than it is four. If you cook in batches, don’t be afraid to wipe out any loose crumbs between batches. This prevents the crumbs from burning and getting on to the next batch. Just re-add oil as needed.
Flip when golden brown on the bottom and continue cooking another 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Have you ever seen such purdy chicken?
Perfectly crunchy. Perfectly moist.
Cook this.
Tonight.
It will make you happy. 
Would you like to print this recipe? Click Here.
04/15/12 This recipe is being shared with
Everyday Mom’s Meals: Church Supper
The Sweet Details:Savory Sunday
Ms. enplace:See Ya In The Gumbo Potluck
04/16/12
Flour Me With Love: Mix It Up Monday
Make Ahead Meals for Busy Moms: Melt in Your Mouth Monday
Delightfully Dowling: Mangia Monday
Jam Hands: Recipe Sharing Monday
A Southern Fairy Tale: Mouthwatering Monday
Things That Make You Say:”Mmmmm”: Monday Linky
Mrs Happy Homemaker: Makin’ You Crave Monday
Buyer Beware: Hunk Of Meat Monday
04/17/12
All the Small Stuff: Tuesdays at the Table
Blessed With Grace: Tepmpt My Tummy
Permanent Posies: Tuesday’s Tasty Tidbits
Mandy’s Recipe Box: Totally Tasty Tuesday
Nap Time Creations: Tasty Tuesday
04/18/12
The King’s Court IV: What’s Cooking Wednesday
Lady Behind the Curtain: Cast Party Wednesday
Crockpot Ladies: Whip It Up Wednesday
04/19/12
Frugal Follies: Frugal Food Thursday
Miz Helen’s Country Cottage: Full Plate Thursday
A Little Nosh: Tastetastic Thursday
It’s a Keeper: It’s a Keeper Thursday
Seven Alive: Link It Up Thursday
04/20/12
Around My Family Table: Feed Your Soul
The Grocery Cart Challenge: GCC Recipe Swap
04/21/12
Just wanted to let you know I made this the other night and the whole family raved about them, even my little picky meat eaters. Mine didn’t look as pretty as yours and I didn’t have any potato flakes on hand, but they sure were good. Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Have never tried dried potato flakes with my chicken tenders. Bet that would work with fish too.
Actually, you’re right! Our grocery store puts out recipes in their weekly fliers and one of the recipes was for a potato crusted fish. We tried it and it was delicious! Thanks for stopping by!
That looks fantastic! I’ve done baked buttery cracker-crusted chicken, but I bet the frying is better
Everything is better fried, right?
Stopping by from Hunk of Meat Monday!
-Sarah E.
http://fantasticalsharingofrecipes.blogspot.com/
That is too funny! I told myself the next time I made these I was going to try baking them to see how they turned out!
Thanks for stopping by!
YUMMY!! They look much better than anything bought from a store or fast food joint. Thanks so much for sharing with us at Link It Up Thursday.
Thanks! I hope you give them a try sometime and thanks for hosting your party!
This handy recipe was one of the most viewed links last week! I’ll Pin it to my linky board and it will be featured at tonight’s See Ya In the Gumbo party. Congratulations! Thanks again for sharing!
OH MY GOSH!! Thank you SO much and thanks for being such a great hostess!
Looking good. Thanks for sharing with Simply Delish.
Thanks for hosting.
Did someone say Fried Chicken, I’m there! This looks like a great Fried Chicken that we would really enjoy. We are big Fried Chicken fans! Hope you have a fabulous week end and thank you so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Thank you Miz Helen! I’m happy to share and look forward to seeing you again!
Thanks for linking up at Whip It Up Wednesday! This looks like a nice easy one that my kids would enjoy!
It really is quick and tasty! I hope you try it soon and your family enjoys it. Thanks for stopping by!
These look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing at Mix it up Monday
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for linking up w/ See Ya In the Gumbo! It’s good to have you stop by. I love the all the ideas you’ve given for this recipe. Definitely not a dish that we’d get bored with due to all of the variations. I also liked the dredging tips. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Michelle! I hope you give it a try sometime. Thanks for stopping by my site and I’ll see you next week!
I make something similar to this with Ritz crackers, and it’s always a hit! Come and link it to my Must Try Monday party. I”d love to see ya there!
Isn’t it a great recipe?! Thank you for stopping by and for the invite! I’ll check it out!
These look great! Must try.
Thanks! And thanks for stopping by!
Great breading idea! I can always use more chicken recipes. Thanks for sharing at Church Supper. Love seeing new faces. Have a blessed week and please come back soon.
Thank you Krista! I’m so happy you stopped by and I’m looking forward to seeing you again.
Cool..now I can make my own chicken tenders. The store bought ones are gross. Thanks!
I hope you enjoy them as much as we do!
Justa’s DH here, they are mighty tasty!