Zaxby’s Chicken Finger Recipe

Recreate the crispy, savory taste of Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers at home with this easy copycat recipe. Perfect for a quick meal that the whole family will love!

If you love Zaxby’s you will absolutely love this recipe. My other great Zax Recipes are Copycat Zax Sauce, Air Fryer Zaxby’s Fried Pickle Recipe, or Zaxby’s Ranch Sauce Recipe.

This is a great Zaxby’s Chicken Finger Recipe that the whole family will love.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this Copycat Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers recipe because it perfectly recreates the crispy, golden coating and juicy, tender chicken just like your favorite restaurant. It’s easy to make at home, saving you time and money while satisfying your craving for comfort food!

Ingredients Needed

• Chicken Tenders: Or use boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into strips.
• All-Purpose Flour: For a gluten-free option, use all-purpose gluten-free all-purpose flour.
• Eggs: The egg wash that helps the breadcrumb mixture stick to the chicken.
• Milk: Mixed with the eggs to create the egg wash.
• Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko gives a crunchier texture than regular breadcrumbs.
• Kosher Salt and Black Pepper: Seasons the chicken and the breadcrumb mixture.
• Paprika: To add some color and mild sweetness to your breadcrumb mixture.
• Garlic Powder: Add an excellent depth of flavor.
• Onion Powder: Provides a subtle savory note.
• Dipping Sauce: You can use your favorite dipping sauce or try to recreate Zax Sauce at home.

How To Make Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers Recipe

Step 1: First, rinse your chicken tenders and pat them dry with paper towels. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.

Step 2: Next, set up three shallow dishes. In the first dish, place the all-purpose flour. In the second dish, whisk together the eggs and milk. The third dish combines the Panko breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder.

Step 3: Dip each chicken tender first into the flour, shaking off any excess, then into the egg mixture, ensuring it’s fully coated. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing gently to ensure the crumbs adhere well. Place the breaded tenders on a tray or plate.

Step 4: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees F (200°C) for 3-5 minutes.

Step 5: Spray the air fryer basket with some cooking spray. Then place the chicken fingers into the basket, ensuring they are not touching or overlapping.

Step 6: Spray the top of the chicken fingers lightly with some more cooking spray. Set cook time for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Step 7: Serve the chicken fingers hot with your favorite dipping sauce.

Zaxby’s Chicken Finger Recipe Tips

• Use Panko Breadcrumbs: Panko breadcrumbs are Japanese breadcrumbs that are larger and airier than traditional breadcrumbs.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Ensure the crispiest chicken fingers are not touching or overlapping in the air fryer basket.
• Shake the Basket: Halfway through the cooking time, you can shake the basket to ensure the chicken fingers cook evenly.
• Use an Instant-Read Thermometer: The safest way to check if your chicken is done is by using an instant-read thermometer. It should read 165°F (74°C) in the thickest part of the chicken.
• Pat Dry the Chicken: Make sure to pat dry the chicken tenders before breading them. This helps the coating stick better to the chicken.
• Keep the Breading Light: Do not press too hard when applying the breadcrumbs; you want a light, airy coating that gets really crispy.
• Spray with Cooking Spray: Just before air frying, spray the chicken fingers with cooking spray. This helps them get golden and crispy.

Copycat Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers Recipe Faqs

Can I bake the chicken fingers instead of air frying them? Yes, you can bake them! Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and bake the chicken fingers on a lined baking sheet for about 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crispy.

What dipping sauce goes best with Zaxby’s Chicken Fingers? Zaxby’s signature Zax Sauce is a perfect match! You can also pair them with ranch, honey mustard, or your favorite dipping sauce.

How can I make the chicken fingers extra crispy? For extra crispiness, double-coat the chicken by dipping them in the egg wash and breadcrumbs twice. You can also add a little cornstarch to the breadcrumb mixture for more crunch.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time? Yes! You can prep the chicken fingers in advance by breading them and storing them in the fridge for a few hours. Fry or bake them just before serving for the best texture.

Can I freeze the chicken fingers? Yes, freeze the breaded, uncooked chicken fingers in a single layer on a baking sheet. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Cook from frozen by adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.

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