Golden Crispy Chicken Fingers with Tangy Come Back Sauce
Fried chicken fingers with Come Back Sauce, a quintessential Southern delicacy, marry the crunch of golden-brown chicken with the zesty tang of a flavorful dipping sauce. This recipe, designed to tantalize taste buds and evoke memories of home-cooked comfort, showcases the art of simple yet satisfying cuisine. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or simply craving a savory snack, these chicken fingers are sure to impress.
Preparation for this culinary adventure begins by gathering your ingredients: boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, milk, salt, lemon pepper, black pepper, all-purpose flour, mayonnaise, olive oil, chili sauce, ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, fresh coarse ground black pepper, paprika, onion, and garlic cloves. With these pantry staples in hand, you’re ready to embark on a journey of flavor.
To commence the cooking process, start by cutting each chicken breast half into four strips, ensuring uniformity in size to promote even cooking. Next, in a culinary embrace reminiscent of Southern hospitality, combine the chicken strips with milk and a medley of spices—salt, lemon pepper, and black pepper—in a heavy-duty zip-top bag. Seal the bag and allow the chicken to luxuriate in this aromatic marinade, infusing every bite with layers of savory goodness. Refrigerate the bag for a minimum of four hours, granting ample time for the flavors to intermingle and transform the chicken into tender, succulent morsels.
Once the marination period is complete, it’s time to embark on the journey to golden perfection. Remove the chicken from the marinade, discarding any excess liquid, and gently dredge each strip in all-purpose flour, ensuring a light yet even coating. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in a Dutch oven until it reaches a depth of approximately two inches, creating the ideal environment for achieving crispy, golden-brown perfection. When the oil is hot and shimmering with anticipation, carefully place the chicken strips into the oil, taking care not to overcrowd the pan. Fry the chicken in batches, allowing each piece to bask in the sizzling embrace of the oil until it achieves a luscious golden hue, approximately five to six minutes per batch.
As the chicken emerges from its hot oil bath, drain it on a bed of paper towels, allowing any excess oil to be absorbed, ensuring a light and crispy texture. Now, the pièce de résistance: the Come Back Sauce. A symphony of flavors awaits as you combine mayonnaise, chili sauce, ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce, fresh coarse ground black pepper, paprika, onion, and garlic cloves in a bowl. Stir together these ingredients with a sense of anticipation, knowing that each spoonful will deliver a harmonious blend of tangy, creamy, and subtly spicy notes. Allow the sauce to chill for at least one hour, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify, reaching their full potential.
To serve, arrange the golden-brown chicken fingers on a platter, their crispy exteriors inviting eager hands to reach out and indulge. Place a bowl of the Come Back Sauce within easy reach, inviting guests to dip and savor each delectable bite. Whether enjoyed as a crowd-pleasing appetizer or a satisfying snack, these fried chicken fingers with Come Back Sauce are sure to evoke feelings of warmth, nostalgia, and culinary bliss. So gather your loved ones, set the table, and prepare to embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the timeless flavors of the South.
