Baked Chicken Fingers with Flax Seed and Parmesan Coating

Prep: 15 minCook: 30 minmediumAmerican
Baked Chicken Fingers with Flax Seed and Parmesan Coating

Tender chicken breast strips coated in a crunchy mixture of ground flax seed, gluten-free breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese, then baked until golden. The lemon juice adds brightness to the egg wash while Italian seasoning and garlic salt provide savory depth. Perfect for families seeking a healthier alternative to fried chicken fingers, these bake up crispy on the outside while staying juicy inside. The flax seed coating adds extra nutrition and texture.

Ingredients

  • 4 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
  • ½ cup ground flax seed
    panko breadcrumbs1:1conf:5

    adds:gluten

  • ½ cup gluten free bread crumbs
    regular breadcrumbs1:1conf:5
  • ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
    nutritional yeast1:1conf:4

    removes:dairy

    Full guide →
  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning
  • 2 teaspoons garlic salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 eggs
    2 flax eggs1:1conf:4
    Full guide →
  • ¼ cup lemon juice

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  2. 2

    Combine dry ingredients with spices in a shallow bowl and set aside

  3. 3

    Whisk eggs with lemon juice in another shallow bowl

  4. 4

    Dip each chicken strip in egg mixture, then dry mixture

  5. 5

    Place on cooling rack over foil-lined baking sheet

  6. 6

    Bake for 30 minutes until golden brown

  7. 7

    Place under broiler for 5 minutes if desired for extra crispiness

Tips

Tip 1

Use a cooling rack over the baking sheet to allow air circulation and prevent soggy bottoms

Tip 2

Let chicken strips rest for 5 minutes after coating to help the breading adhere better

Tip 3

For extra crispiness, finish with a few minutes under the broiler

Good to Know

Storage

Store leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days

Make Ahead

Can bread chicken strips up to 4 hours ahead and refrigerate

Serve With

Serve hot with honey mustard, ranch, or marinara sauce

See pairing guide →

Common Mistakes

Watch

Don't skip the cooling rack or chicken will steam and become soggy

Watch

Don't overcrowd the pan to ensure even browning

Substitutions

ground flax seed
panko breadcrumbs1:1conf:5

adds:gluten

Full guide →
Parmesan cheese
nutritional yeast1:1conf:4

removes:dairy

Full guide →
eggs
2 flax eggs1:1conf:4
Full guide →
gluten free bread crumbs
regular breadcrumbs1:1conf:5
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I freeze these chicken fingers?

Yes, freeze cooked chicken fingers for up to 3 months. Reheat in 375°F oven for 10-15 minutes until heated through and crispy.

What if I don't have ground flax seed?

Replace with equal amount of panko breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes for similar crunch and coating coverage.

How do I know when they're fully cooked?

Internal temperature should reach 165°F when measured with a meat thermometer in the thickest part of the strip.