Spice Rubbed Chicken Fingers with Cilantro Dipping Sauce

Get ready to spice up your mealtime with these irresistible Spice Rubbed Chicken Fingers with Cilantro Dipping Sauce! Featuring tender chicken coated in a bold, smoky blend of smoked paprika, garlic, cumin, and a touch of cayenne, this recipe delivers a perfect balance of heat and flavor. The crispy panko breadcrumb coating creates a golden, oven-baked crunch without the need for frying, making it both delicious and healthier. Paired with a zesty cilantro dipping sauce made from creamy mayo, tangy sour cream, fresh lime juice, and aromatic garlic, these chicken tenders are an absolute crowd-pleaser. Ready in just 35 minutes and perfect for family dinners, game days, or snacks, this recipe is a must-try for anyone who loves bold, spiced flavors with a refreshing twist.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 lb chicken tenders
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 0.5 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 0.5 tsp black pepper
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 0.5 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise
• 0.25 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 0.25 tsp salt (for sauce)
• 0.25 tsp black pepper (for sauce)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 2

In a small bowl, mix together the smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, ground cumin, cayenne pepper, 1 tsp salt, and 0.5 tsp black pepper to make the spice rub.

Step 3

Place the chicken tenders in a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle the spice rub over the chicken. Toss to coat evenly.

Step 4

Set up a dredging station with three shallow dishes: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with panko breadcrumbs.

Step 5

Coat each chicken tender by first dredging it in flour, then dipping it into the egg, and finally coating it with panko breadcrumbs. Place the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6

Bake the chicken tenders in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and fully cooked (internal temperature of 165°F).

Step 7

While the chicken cooks, prepare the cilantro dipping sauce. In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, chopped cilantro, lime juice, minced garlic, 0.25 tsp salt, and 0.25 tsp black pepper until smooth.

Step 8

Serve the spice-rubbed chicken fingers hot with the cilantro dipping sauce on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(893.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2965.5

Total Fat 217.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 39.0g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 745.2mg	0%
Sodium 6438.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 145.6g	0%
Dietary Fiber 6.5g	0%
Total Sugars 11.6g
Protein 107.5g	0%

Vitamin D 82IU	0%
Calcium 273.8mg	0%
Iron 10.5mg	0%
Potassium 1521.3mg	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: 65.9%

Protein: 14.5%

Carbs: 19.6%