I absolutely love chicken, it’s one of my favorite proteins. Growing up, chicken nuggets, tenders, and fingers were always a go-to for me. But did you know that you can easily make super yummy chicken fingers at home using canned chicken? Trust me, if I can do it, so can you! Let’s dive in and learn how.

Ingredients and Equipment

To make homemade chicken fingers, you only need 3 main ingredients and 2 optional seasonings:

• Chicken: You can’t make chicken fingers without chicken! This recipe is specially designed for canned chicken, but you can use any precooked chicken cut into small pieces.
• Cheese: I usually opt for cheddar cheese, but feel free to experiment with your favorite kind of shredded cheese.
• Egg: The egg helps bind all the ingredients together.
• Pepper
• Garlic Powder

Note: I usually skip adding salt because the cheese is already salty enough. However, you can add a little salt according to your taste.

Tools:

• Bowl
• Spoon
• Kitchen gloves (optional)
• Sheet pan or cookie sheet
• Silicone mat or parchment paper

How to Make Chicken Fingers at Home with Canned Chicken

Believe it or not, this recipe is incredibly easy to make. Start by preheating your oven to 400F/205C and placing the main rack in the middle position.

Open the can of chicken and drain the liquid. You can use the lid to hold the chicken in the can while tilting it to let the liquid drain out through the crack between the lid and the chicken.

In a medium to large bowl, mix all the ingredients together. Make sure to break up any larger chunks of chicken that may be in the can. I usually start by adding the egg and whisking it a bit, followed by the spices, cheese, and finally the chicken.

And that’s it! Your mixture is now ready.

Forming and Baking the Chicken Fingers

Now, all you have to do is shape the chicken mixture into finger shapes. Using clean hands or wearing food prep gloves, take a portion of the mixture and firmly press it together, forming a “log” or “finger” shape. Place it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.

Repeat the process until you have formed all the chicken fingers. Depending on the size you make them, you should be able to make around 8 to 12.

If you prefer, you can shape them into smaller “nuggets” instead.

Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the chicken fingers turn lightly golden brown.

Once baked, allow them to cool for about 10 minutes, and then serve. They taste amazing with ranch, barbecue sauce, or ketchup.

See how incredibly easy it is to make these homemade chicken fingers?

Enjoy!

How Long Do Homemade Chicken Fingers Last?

If stored in an airtight container, these chicken fingers will last for 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for a few months. Simply spread them apart on a sheet pan and freeze for 2 hours, then transfer them to a freezer bag and return them to the freezer for 2 to 3 months. To reheat, use an oven or air fryer.

Can You Cook These in an Air Fryer?

Absolutely! Set your air fryer to 400F/205C, place the formed fingers in the basket, and air fry for 8 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Depending on your air fryer, you may need to flip them at the 6-minute mark.

If you’re a chicken lover like me, you may also enjoy these other delicious chicken recipes:

• Air Fryer Chicken Wings
• Crispy Fried Chicken
• Chicken Nuggets
• Sheet Pan Chicken Fajitas

For more exciting recipes and tips, visit Ratingperson. Happy cooking!