Chicken cheese fingers are easy and delicious finger-shaped fried snacks. They are the perfect appetizer for parties, evening snacks, or even the school tiffin box.
Can’t stop the kids from buying fast food? It’s time to step up your game and bring the fast food joint into your kitchen instead! When you make your food at home without buying from restaurants or fast food chains, the food quality instantly becomes fresher and healthier.
Homemade chicken cheese fingers, for instance, taste much juicier as the ingredients are free from preservatives. The store-bought versions often use processed cheese that’s less creamy and bland in terms of flavor. Meanwhile, I have used grated Mozzarella in my homemade fingers recipe that melts beautifully and wraps the chicken fingers in a gooey, cheesy layer!
And the best part about this homemade chicken cheese fingers recipe is that you can season and customize them just the way you like. From stuffing the fingers with extra cheese to air-frying them for a healthier twist, there are tons of ways to customize the homemade version. You can experiment with different fillings, cheese and cooking methods to enjoy juicier, more flavorful bites!
How To Customize Chicken Cheese Fingers?
Chicken fingers recipes are incredibly versatile, so why not take advantage of that?
With endless options for cheese, stuffings, and seasonings, you can customize your chicken cheese fingers exactly how you want! Let’s see how creative you can get with these delicious variations:
Cheese
The taste and texture of your food depend a lot on what type of cheese you are using. From stringy Mozzarella cheese to smoky Gouda cheese, there are endless options you can choose from.
I have used Mozzarella in this recipe as it’s an ideal option for fried food recipes. The cheese melts beautifully inside the chicken finger and provides that long, stretchy cheese string everyone loves so much! The creamy texture of the cheese compliments the crispy fried fingers and makes it irresistible.
You can also choose cheddar cheese if you prefer a richer and bolder kick in your dish. With a sharp taste and firm structure, it brings a rich and gooey texture that contrasts the crispy exterior beautifully. For spice lovers, Pepper Jack is an excellent option as it packs a subtle heat with all the charming creaminess of cheese as well! For a slightly smoky flavor,
Gouda cheese is a better choice as it wraps the chicken fingers with a rich, nutty taste. If you love experimenting, try pairing different cheeses and discover the perfect combination.
Stuffing
Minced chicken doesn’t need to be the only stuffing in your cheesy fingers! You can get creative and have fun with different ingredients that add variety to the dish.
Sauteed vegetables are a simple and delicious way to add flavor and nutrition to the chicken cheese fingers. You can add any vegetables of your choice, including bell peppers, spinach, mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots. Just chop them finely before mixing them with the minced chicken stuffing. For a touch of freshness, you can add different herbs, such as basil, parsley, cilantro, etc.
If you are a spice lover, add finely chopped Jalapenos to bring some heat to the dish. Add in moderate quantity to enjoy the spicy kick with the goodness of the cheesy delight.
Seasonings
Seasonings are one of the simplest ways to customize your food without changing the texture of the food!
For chicken cheese fingers, you can explore the classic options of spices, including garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, dried oregano, and paprika. If you want to turn up the heat in your food, try adding chili flakes, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, or crushed red pepper.
My personal favorite is a smoky flavor with BBQ sauce, paprika, and a touch of cumin. The charred flavor from these spices combined with the sweet BBQ sauce takes chicken cheese fingers to a new level!
Dipping Sauces To Try With Cheesy Chicken Fingers
The crispy, cheesy fingers become even more delicious with the perfect dipping sauce. Here are some sauce variations you can try:
Marinara Sauce
Marinara sauce is a classic tomato-based dipping sauce that pairs wonderfully with the creaminess of the mozzarella cheese. The acidity of the marinara sauce cuts through the richness of the cheese and the savory fillings, creating a delicious balance in every bite!
Mayo
Another classic dipping option is mayonnaise. With its creamy texture and tangy flavor, mayo compliments the chicken cheese fingers beautifully. You can customize the mayo with herbs, spices, hot sauce or a hint of lemon juice to add to its deliciousness.
Honey Mustard
If you prefer a sweeter dipping sauce, honey mustard sauce is an excellent choice. The honey’s natural sweetness and the mustard’s zestiness create a delicious contrast with the crispy chicken fingers.
The creamy honey mustard sauce coats the chicken fingers with every dip, making every bite melt in your mouth with a smooth, velvety finish.
Homemade chicken cheese fingers
Ingredients
- 250 grams Chicken (Minced)
- ½ tsp / 3 g Salt
- ½ tsp / 1 g Pepper
- 1 tsp / 2 g Red chili powder
- 1 tsp / 1 tsp Mixed herbs
- 1 tsp / 6 g Garlic-ginger paste
- 2 tbsp / 16 g Cornstarch
- ½ cup / 56 g Mozzarella cheese (Grated)
- Oil to deep fry
Instructions
Prepare The Chicken
- First, take the chicken mince in a bowl. You can mince the chicken(boneless) using a food processor, grinder, or knife.
- Make sure to wash and properly dry the chicken before mince them.
- Add salt, pepper, red chili powder, mixed herbs, garlic-ginger paste, cornstarch, and the grated cheese to the mince.
- Mix everything well.
Assemble The Fingers
- Then clean your hand and grease with oil.
- Now take small portions and, on top of a smooth surface, shape them into fingers.
- Coat them with flour after you shape each one.
Prepare The Coating
- Beat eggs in a small bowl and take the breadcrumbs in another bowl.
- Now dip the fingers in beaten eggs and coat them with breadcrumbs.
- Now at this point when you finish coating all the fingers if you want to freeze them for future use, keep them all in the freezer with the tray for an hour to two.
- After that, they become a little hard. Then put them in ziplock bags or in an airtight box and you can reserve them up to 2 months.
Fry The Fingers
- Now, to deep-fry the fingers, heat oil in a frying pan on medium flame.
- Once the oil is heated, turn the flame to medium and fry the fingers on medium flame until golden brown or fully cooked through.
- Do not overcrowd the pan; fry 4-5 fingers simultaneously. (also, do not fry them on high heat because that way, they will turn brown very quickly, but the chicken won’t cook properly)
- When golden brown, remove them on a paper towel, and your delicious chicken cheese fingers are ready.
- Serve them with your favorite sauce and enjoy!
Video
There you have it! Crispy on outside and gooey cheese melting inside- this homemade chicken cheese fingers is a hit with both kids and adults alike.
As this recipe is customizable, you can adjust the amount of pepper, red chili powder and other seasonings to your likings. Whether served as a side dish, appetizer or a quick snack to fill your tummy, these cheesy delights are sure to disappear fast from your plate. So, take caution and prepare some extras just in case!
Recipe FAQs
Can I Bake The Homemade Chicken Fingers Instead Of Frying Them?
Yes, absolutely. For a healthier choice, bake the chicken fingers at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 20 minutes. Make sure to flip the chicken cheese fingers halfway through.
What Type Of Breadcrumbs Should I Use For This Recipe?
You can use any regular breadcrumb to makE these cheesy fingers. For a crispy finish, you may consider using Panko breadcrumbs, as they are particularly known for their crunchy texture.
How Do You Check If The Chicken Cheese Fingers Are Done?
To check if the chicken cheese fingers are cooked, use a fork to press on them. If the chicken feels firm, then it’s probably done, and if not, it probably needs more time to cook.
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