These light and airy chicken strips provide a crunchy texture that isn’t fried and pairs perfectly with spicy mustard and sweet BBQ sauce for dipping.

When my husband and I lived in Boston, we loved getting together with friends and family for dinner at Not Your Average Joe’s, a local restaurant chain. Baked Chicken Fingers with Panko and Dijon is my healthy version of their famous Mustard Crusted Chicken.

Pan-fried, crispy, juicy perfection in all of its mustard glory- I can’t even begin to estimate the calorie count. Fortunately, we were fat, happy and in love so it didn’t matter.

Lighty, fluffy and airy – panko is my go-to ingredient whenever I need a crispy, crunchy crust without gallons of oil. Dijon mustard adds flavor, spice, and tang with minimal added calories. Bake at a high temperature on an elevated cooling rack and you are well on your way to a skinny-jean friendly chicken fingers dinner.

Frequently asked questions:

Where can I find panko crumbs? Look for panko next to the traditional bread crumbs are your local grocery store. Unlike breadcrumbs that are typically in a cylinder looking container, panko crumbs are usually in a box. Do chicken fingers freeze well? Yes. They do. Can I use breadcrumbs instead of panko? Panko is much less soggy than a traditional breadcrumb. You’ll prefer panko!!

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