Kettle Corn Crusted Chicken Tenders

Slightly sweet, slightly salty, and totally crunchy, PopCorners make a delicious breading for my gluten-free Kettle Corn Crusted Chicken Tenders. It's an easy, kid-friendly dinner!

 

I just received my latest Degustabox, a surprise subscription food box company based in Barcelona. They've recently launched in the United States and I'm lucky enough to receive my very own box of goodies. 

If you follow us on Instagram, you've already had a sneak peek at what I found in this month's box. Of all the tasty foods in my Degustabox, I decided to make a recipe using one of my son's favorite special treats: Carnival Kettle PopCorners. This is the snack my son requests if we're hosting a special playdate or a movie night. Of course, I admit that I'm also a sucker for the slightly sweet, slightly salty flavor of this crunchy snack. 

 

I thought the Carnival Kettle PopCorners would make a great, crispy breading for chicken fingers. These popped corn chips are gluten-free, made with non-GMO ingredients, and taste amazing. There's just a hint of sweetness and a hint of saltiness so the chips are just perfectly salty-sweet. Although my family isn't gluten-free, we do have friends—both kids and adults—who are; these Kettle Corn Crusted Chicken Tenders are a great option for them.

Ingredients

serves 2 to 4

• 3 cups Kettle PopCorners
• 1/2 cup gluten-free flour* (or substitute all-purpose)
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken tenders (about 7 or 8 strips)
• 1 Tablespoon ghee or butter
• 2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
• salt
• pepper
• Tabasco or other hot sauce (optional)

*I use this gluten-free baking mix, it makes for a light and crispy coating.

 

In a food processor, pulse the PopCorners chips until they look like coarse bread crumbs. Transfer to a shallow bowl. Place flour, with some salt and pepper, in a second shallow bowl. Place the egg—with a few dashes of Tabasco, if you're using it—in a third shallow bowl. (I use pie plates as my shallow bowls.)

Dredge each chicken strip in flour and shake off excess, then dip it in beaten egg, then in the PopCorners crumbs. Turn each chicken tender to coat fully. Transfer to a large plate and repeat with the remaining chicken tenders. Throw out any leftover flour, egg, or crumbs.

 

In a large skillet over medium to medium-high heat, add ghee and oil. Once the ghee melts, add the chicken tenders. Do not crowd the pan; you may have to work in batches. Cook, turning one time, until chicken is golden brown on each side and is cooked through, about 8-10 minutes total. If you'd like, sprinkle some additional salt on top of the Kettle Corn Crusted Chicken Tenders while they're hot.

 

I served my Kettle Corn Crusted Chicken Tenders with honey mustard for dipping; it has a similar savory-and-sweet flavor profile to the chicken. But you can use any dipping sauce you like!

  

If you're interested in trying Degustabox, check out their website or follow them on Instagram. If you sign up to receive your own Degustabox through one of our links, I'll receive a referral fee and you'll help to support this blog!

 

For recipes inspired by my previous Degustaboxes, check out my Chipotle Fried Egg Avocado Toast:

 

Or my Chocolate Peanut Butter Cinnamon Smoothie: