Whataburger Chicken Strip Recipe — Get ready to add a new favorite to your air fryer recipe collection!
We are introducing our Air Fryer Whataburger Chicken Strips recipe – a homemade take on the beloved fast-food classic.
These chicken strips are incredibly tasty and healthier to the traditional deep-fried version. Crispy on the outside, juicy inside, and packed with that iconic Whataburger flavor, they’re perfect for a quick dinner, game day snack, or when you’re craving comfort food. Let’s bring the taste of Whataburger into your kitchen with all the convenience and less of the guilt!
What Is Whataburger?
Whataburger is a famous American fast-food restaurant chain known for its signature burgers. Founded in 1950 in Corpus Christi, Texas, by Harmon Dobson and Paul Burton, Whataburger has since become a cultural icon, particularly in the Southern United States.
What Are Whataburger Chicken Strips
Whataburger Chicken Strips are a popular menu item from the American fast-food chain Whataburger, known for its burgers and sandwiches. These chicken strips are part of Whataburger’s extended menu, which includes a variety of chicken-based dishes.
What Are Whataburger Chicken Strips?
- Preparation: The chicken strips are made from tender white meat chicken.
- Flavor: Known for their flavor, these strips are seasoned with a unique blend of spices.
- Texture: When freshly made, the chicken strips are crispy on the outside while remaining juicy and tender on the inside.
- Serving: They are commonly served as a meal with fries and a drink or can be ordered as part of a larger meal combo.
- Popularity: Whataburger’s chicken strips have gained popularity for their quality and taste, offering a satisfying option for those who might prefer chicken over beef.
- Versatility: These chicken strips can be eaten independently, as part of a meal, or even used in other menu items, like salads or sandwiches.
What You Will Love This Recipe!
- Healthier Option: By using an air fryer, you get to enjoy the deliciousness of Whataburger-style chicken strips but with significantly less oil and fat than deep frying, making them a healthier choice.
- Crispy Texture: Air frying gives these chicken strips a wonderfully crispy exterior while keeping the inside juicy and tender.
- Easy and Convenient: The air fryer simplifies the cooking process, making it an easy and convenient way to prepare a tasty meal or snack without the hassle of traditional frying.
- Flavorful Experience: This recipe captures the iconic seasoning and taste of Whataburger Chicken Strips, ensuring that you get a burst of flavor in every bite.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether preparing a quick family dinner, hosting a game day, or craving comfort food, these air fryer chicken strips are suitable for any occasion.
- Customizable: You can easily adjust the seasoning to suit your taste preferences or add your favorite dips and sides to customize your meal.
- Less Messy: Air frying means less mess compared to traditional frying. No, dealing with splattering oil makes both cooking and cleanup a breeze.
- Fun Cooking Experience: Recreating a fast-food favorite at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially when the results are as tasty as this!
Ingredients Needed For Air Fryer Whataburger Chicken Strips
Gather these simple yet essential ingredients to recreate this fast-food favorite’s iconic flavor and texture with a healthier twist.
Remember the step-by-step directions and detailed ingredient list are below, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, as well as the nutritional information.
- Chicken Breasts: The star of the dish, chicken breasts are lean and packed with protein, and when sliced into strips, they provide the perfect base for creating juicy and tender chicken strips.
- All-Purpose Flour: Flour acts as the initial coating for the chicken, providing a base layer for the spices to adhere to and helping to achieve that desirable crispy texture once air-fried.
- Eggs: Beaten eggs create a binding layer between the chicken and the final coating, ensuring that every strip is evenly coated for a perfect crunch.
- Panko Bread Crumbs: These Japanese-style bread crumbs offer a lighter, airier texture than traditional bread crumbs, contributing to the crispiness of the chicken strips.
- Seasoning Blend (Garlic Powder, Onion Powder, Paprika, Salt, Pepper): A mix of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper infuses the chicken with a savory and slightly spicy flavor, mimicking the classic Whataburger taste.
- Cooking Spray: A light spritz of cooking spray on the breaded chicken strips before air frying ensures they turn golden and crispy without being deep-fried.
- Optional Dipping Sauces (Honey Mustard, BBQ, Ranch, etc.): Serving these chicken strips with your choice of dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch, adds an extra layer of flavor, enhancing the overall dining experience.
How To Make Whataburger Chicken Strips
Making Whataburger Chicken Strips is a straightforward process that results in a delicious, crispy treat. Here’s a step-by-step guide, for making Whataburger Chicken Strip Recipe at home:
Prepare the Chicken: Start by cutting the chicken breasts into strips, trying to keep them uniform in size for even cooking.
Season the Flour: In a shallow dish, mix the all-purpose flour with your seasoning blend – garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Prepare the Egg Wash: In another shallow dish, beat the eggs. This mixture will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.
Breading Station: Place the Panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish. You now have a three-step breading station: flour mixture, egg wash, and breadcrumbs.
Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and finally, coat them well with the Panko breadcrumbs. Ensure each strip is thoroughly coated at each stage for the best results.
Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C), for 3-5 minutes.
Arrange the Chicken Strips: Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded chicken strips in a single layer in the basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook in batches.
Cook the Chicken Strips: Spray the top of the chicken strips lightly with cooking spray. This helps them get golden brown. Set cook time for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Serve: Serve your Air Fryer Whataburger Chicken Strips hot with dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch.
Pro Tips For Whataburger Chicken Strip Recipe
- Quality of Chicken: Use fresh, high-quality chicken breasts.
- Even Thickness: Pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- Dry Before Coating: Pat the chicken dry before coating. Removing excess moisture helps the flour and breadcrumbs adhere better and creates a crisper coating.
- Season Every Layer: Season the flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs.
- Crispy Coating: Use Panko breadcrumbs for a crispier texture.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Cook in batches to prevent overcrowding in the air fryer.
- Flip Halfway Through: Turn the chicken strips halfway through cooking. This promotes even browning and crisping on both sides.
- Correct Temperature: Preheat the air fryer to the right temperature before adding the chicken. A hot air fryer ensures a quick sear and locks in juices.
- Use Cooking Spray: Lightly spray the breaded chicken strips with cooking spray before air frying. This helps achieve a golden color and enhances crispiness.
- Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C).
- Rest Before Serving: Let the chicken strips rest for a few minutes after cooking. This allows the juices to be redistributed, making the chicken more tender.
- Dipping Sauces: Experiment with different dipping sauces. Whataburger Chicken Strips are versatile and can be paired with various sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, ranch, or even a spicy buffalo sauce.
Faq’s Whataburger Chicken Strips Recipe
What Are Whataburger Chicken Strips Made Of? Whataburger Chicken Strips are made from whole white meat chicken breasts. They are hand-breaded with a seasoned flour mixture, which gives them a crispy exterior and a juicy interior.
How Are Whataburger Chicken Strips Cooked? In Whataburger restaurants, the chicken strips are deep-fried until golden brown. However, for a healthier alternative, you can make them in an air fryer, as it requires significantly less oil.
What Dipping Sauces Does Whataburger Offer for Chicken Strips? Whataburger typically offers a variety of dipping sauces, such as honey mustard, ranch, BBQ, and creamy pepper sauce. The choice of sauce can significantly enhance the flavor experience.
Can Whataburger Chicken Strips Be Made Gluten-Free? In the restaurant, they are not gluten-free due to the breading. However, you can make a gluten-free version at home using gluten-free flour and breadcrumbs.
Are Whataburger Chicken Strips Spicy? The standard Whataburger Chicken Strips are not particularly spicy but flavorful. For those who prefer spice, additional spicy seasonings can be added or paired with a spicy dipping sauce.
Can I Make Whataburger Chicken Strips in an Oven? Yes, you can bake them in an oven if you don’t have an air fryer. The texture might differ slightly from the deep-fried version, but still delicious.
How Can I Store and Reheat Leftover Whataburger Chicken Strips? Store leftovers in the refrigerator and reheat them in the oven or air fryer to maintain their crispiness. Microwaving is not recommended as it can make them soggy.
What Makes Whataburger Chicken Strips Different from Others? They are known for their size, flavor, and the fact that they are hand-breaded. Many fans of Whataburger also appreciate the specific seasoning blend used in their coating.
Are Whataburger Chicken Strips Suitable for a High-Protein Diet? Yes, as they are made primarily of chicken breast, they are a good source of protein, making them suitable for those on a high-protein diet.
Can I Include Whataburger Chicken Strips in a Meal? Absolutely! They can be included in a larger meal, complemented with sides like fries or salads, or enjoyed in a wrap or sandwich.
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Whataburger Chicken Strips Recipe
Description
Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders , or chicken breast cut into strips
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup breadcrumbs, preferably panko for extra crunch
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Start by cutting the chicken breasts into strips, trying to keep them uniform in size for even cooking.
- In a shallow dish, mix the all-purpose flour with your seasoning blend – garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- In another shallow dish, beat the eggs and mix them with milk. This mixture will help the breadcrumbs adhere to the chicken.
- Place the Panko breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish. You now have a three-step breading station: flour mixture, egg wash, and breadcrumbs.
- Dip each chicken strip into the flour mixture, then the egg wash, and finally coat them well with the Panko breadcrumbs. Ensure each strip is thoroughly coated at each stage for the best results.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C). This step is crucial for achieving a crispy texture.
- Spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Arrange the breaded chicken strips in a single layer in the basket. Avoid overcrowding to ensure even cooking. You may need to cook in batches.
- Spray the top of the chicken strips lightly with cooking spray. This helps them get golden brown. Air fry for about 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are crispy and cooked through. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
- Serve your Air Fryer Whataburger Chicken Strips hot, with your choice of dipping sauces like honey mustard, BBQ, or ranch.
Equipment
- Cooking Spray
- Parchment Paper, optional
Nutrition
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