Chicken Fries

These chicken fries are coated in cornflakes, which retain their crunch and brown easily in the frying oil, while the chicken stays plenty juicy and tender. In a pinch, you could easily replace the cereal with something like Ritz crackers or panko breadcrumbs, but the cornflakes really bring home the crispy, crunchy texture and flavor we expect of chicken fries.

The homemade honey mustard dipping sauce is an excellent pair with the strips, but you could use any (and all) of your favorite sauces for a fun appetizer or dinner. For spicier chicken fries, add cayenne to the seasoning mix.

Learn how to make chicken fries, an excellent appetizer or fun dinner any time of year.

What Are Chicken Fries?

Made with chicken breast meat that's been breaded and fried until crispy, chicken fries are often served like French fries, with dipping sauces on the side.

Chicken fries are a type of finger food typically offered at fast-food restaurants. They were popularized by Burger King in 2005, and became a staple menu item after they quickly became high in demand.

We opted for a honey mustard dipping sauce for this recipe, but ketchup, barbecue sauce, or ranch dressing also make excellent accompaniments.

Ingredients for Chicken Fries

Cornflake-crusted strips of chicken are fried until crispy and served with a balanced honey mustard dipping sauce for an appetizer or main course that will get devoured in no time. To make chicken fries, you'll need:

• Dijon mustard: The base of the honey mustard dressing, adding a tangy, spicy flavor.
• Honey: Sweetens the dressing to balance the mustard and vinegar. You can use maple syrup, too.
• Apple cider vinegar: Acidity to balance the dressing.
• Chicken cutlets: Cut into thin strips to create the chicken fries.
• Cornflakes cereal: Ground to create a crispy coating for the fries.
• Paprika: Adds warmth, spice, and a hint of color. Add a little cayenne for a spicy chicken fries recipe.
• Garlic powder: For savory depth.
• Black pepper and kosher salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
• Large eggs: Used to bind the flour coating of the chicken to the cornflake coating.
• Hot sauce: Adds a mild kick to the fries.
• All-purpose flour: To bread the chicken fries to help the egg and cornflake coatings adhere.
• Canola oil: A neutral oil for frying the chicken fries. Feel free to substitute with any type of neutral oil with a high smoke point you prefer.
  

How To Make Chicken Fries

Preparing this chicken will take only about 30 minutes from start to finish. Full instructions are below, but here's a brief recap before you get started:

• Step 1. Prepare dressing: Whisk together Dijon, honey, and apple cider vinegar in a small bowl.
• Step 2. Cut chicken: Cut each cutlet into 4 or 5 thin strips.
• Step 3. Process cornflake coating: Process cornflakes, paprika, garlic powder, black pepper, and some salt in a food processor to fine crumbs. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
• Step 4. Prepare wet and dry coatings: Whisk together eggs, hot sauce, and salt in another shallow bowl. In a third bowl, whisk together flour and remaining salt.
• Step 5. Heat oil: Heat oil in a large Dutch oven. Place a wire rack over a baking sheet, and top with paper towels.
• Step 6. Coat chicken: In batches, toss chicken in flour mixture, then egg mixture, then cornflake mixture, shaking off excess in between. Place onto a clean baking sheet.
• Step 7. Fry: Fry chicken in hot oil in batches until golden brown. Transfer to paper towel-lined rack. 
• Step 8. Serve: Serve chicken fries with honey mustard.

Our Tips for the Best Chicken Fries

For the crispiest, most delicious chicken fries, keep these tips in mind:

• Cut evenly: Cut the strips as even as possible for consistent cooking times.
• Marinate: For even more flavor, marinate the chicken pieces before coating. A classic buttermilk marinade will tenderize and add tanginess to the meat, while a more spicy marinade can be used for additional kick.
• Seasonings: Mix up the seasoning of these fries with onion powder, dried herbs, cumin, chili powder, lemon pepper, or any seasonings you prefer.
• Coatings: Swap the cornflakes with breadcrumbs, panko, crushed potato chips, crackers, pretzels, or other types of cereal. You can even add some shredded sweetened coconut into the mix for a tropical touch.
• Dipping sauces: From ranch dressing to barbecue sauce, buffalo sauce, garlic aioli, ketchup, sweet chili sauce, and more, there's no wrong way to dip your chicken fries.

What To Serve With Chicken Fries

Chicken fries can be served as an appetizer, light lunch, or entree. To serve as a main course, pair with crunchy veggies, coleslaw, onion rings, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, a side salad, or even French fries to go all in on this fast food-inspired meal.

How To Store and Reheat Leftover Chicken Fries

Once the chicken fries are cool, store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. To refresh the crispy texture of the fries, reheat in a preheated 350°F oven or air fryer. Heat until crisped and hot throughout. While you can microwave them in a pinch, it won't do any favors to the texture of the fries.

More Fried Chicken Recipes You'll Love

If you love fried chicken the way we do, these sandwiches, tenders, and wings recipes will be right up your alley:

• Homemade Fried Chicken Sandwich
• Fried Chicken Wings
• Crispy Fried Chicken
• Cajun Fried Chicken
• Oven-Baked Chicken Drumsticks
• Copycat Chick-fil-A Chicken Minis

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.