Heart-Healthy Crispy Fried Chicken Strips

Satisfy your cravings for crispy fried chicken without compromising on nutrition with these Heart-Healthy Crispy Fried Chicken Strips! This guilt-free recipe features tender, marinated chicken breast strips coated in a flavorful blend of whole wheat flour, cornmeal, and smoked paprika for the perfect crunch. Instead of deep-frying, these chicken strips are pan-fried in heart-friendly extra-virgin olive oil, keeping them light yet irresistibly crispy. Ready in just 35 minutes, they’re perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or a wholesome snack. Garnished with vibrant parsley and served with zesty lemon wedges, these chicken strips are a nutritious twist on the classic comfort food—high in flavor, low in guilt, and loved by the whole family!

Nutriscore Rating: 77/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 0.5 cup cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 pieces lemon wedges
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

Slice the chicken breasts into thin strips, about 1 inch wide.

Step 2

In a bowl, marinate the chicken strips in low-fat buttermilk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to tenderize and add flavor.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, combine the whole wheat flour, cornmeal, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt.

Step 4

Remove the chicken from the buttermilk marinade, allowing excess marinade to drip off, and dredge each strip in the flour mixture until well coated.

Step 5

Preheat a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of the extra-virgin olive oil.

Step 6

Working in batches, add the coated chicken strips to the skillet, careful not to overcrowd the pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Add more olive oil as needed for additional batches.

Step 7

Place the cooked chicken strips on a wire rack to drain excess oil and keep them crispy.

Step 8

Serve the chicken strips warm, garnished with fresh parsley and lemon wedges on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(902.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1727.9

Total Fat 48.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 9.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 305.8mg	0%
Sodium 1724.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 187.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.9g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 140.7g	0%

Vitamin D 130.5IU	0%
Calcium 439.1mg	0%
Iron 12.8mg	0%
Potassium 2202.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 24.9%

Protein: 32.2%

Carbs: 42.9%