Crunchy Parmesan Chicken

Terrible Photo-Great Recipe!

I saw this recipe on Everyday Italian on the Food Network. I generally like Giada's recipes, so when I saw her making this one, I had to give it a try.

As usual, I loved it. I didn't use chicken tenders however, I used chicken cutlets. I turned out great anyway. I especially loved the vinegarette dipping sauce. It was actually thick and creamy and very tasty.

Crunchy Parmesan Chicken
Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

4 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup buttermilk
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders (about 18)
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Freshly ground black pepper
1 1/4 cups freshly grated Parmesan
3/4 cup Italian-style seasoned bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

Brush 1 tablespoon of oil over each of 2 heavy large lined baking sheets. Place the buttermilk in a large bowl. Add the chicken tenders and stir to coat. Let stand at least 15 minutes and up to 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, mash the garlic with the salt in a medium bowl. Whisk in the vinegar and then the remaining 1/2 cup of oil. Season the vinaigrette, to taste, with pepper. Transfer the vinaigrette to a small serving bowl.

Stir the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a pie dish. Remove the chicken tenders from the buttermilk and dredge them in the bread crumb mixture to coat completely, pressing to adhere. Arrange the coated chicken tenders on the prepared baking sheets, spacing evenly. Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil over the chicken tenders and bake until they are cooked through and golden brown, about 12 minutes.

Transfer the chicken tenders to a platter and serve the vinaigrette alongside for dipping.

I guess the dipping sauce was the key to this recipe. When ever I make oven fried chicken, it always seems dry. I always end up covering it with tomato sauce for that reason. In this case the chicken didn't seem dry to begin with, but the dipping sauce gave it a kick and made it seem even more tender and juicy.