Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz: A Delicious Copycat Recipe

Imagine yourself in a bustling Zaxby’s restaurant, surrounded by the mouth-watering aroma of their famous Chicken Fingerz. The crispy, golden-brown chicken strips are perfectly seasoned and served with Zax Sauce, making them a favorite among customers. Now, you can recreate this delectable dish in the comfort of your own home with this easy-to-follow copycat recipe.

This Recipe Tastes Just Like the Original

With the right combination of ingredients and cooking techniques, you can achieve the same delicious flavor and texture of Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz. Your family and friends will be amazed at how closely this recipe resembles the restaurant version.

Reasons Why You Should Make This Dish

1. Save money by making a restaurant-quality meal at home.
2. Control the ingredients and customize the seasoning to your liking.
3. Ideal for family dinners, parties, or game day snacks.

Why My Family Loves This Meal

Every time I make Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz at home, my family gathers around the table with excitement. The crispy chicken strips paired with the tangy Zax Sauce never fail to impress, and it has become a beloved meal in our household.

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Ingredients:

• Chicken breast: Provides the main protein for the dish.
• Buttermilk: Helps tenderize the chicken and adds flavor.
• Flour: Creates a crispy coating for the chicken.
• Seasonings: Including salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika for flavor.
• Vegetable oil: For frying the chicken until golden brown.

Quantities

– **Chicken Breast:** 2 large breasts (approximately 1 to 1.5 pounds total)

(You can slice each breast in half to create thinner cutlets if desired.)

– **Buttermilk:** 1 cup

(This will help tenderize the chicken and add moisture and flavor.)

– **Flour:** 1 cup

(This creates the crispy coating for the chicken.)

– **Seasonings:**

– **Salt:** 1 teaspoon

– **Black Pepper:** 1/2 teaspoon

– **Garlic Powder:** 1 teaspoon

– **Paprika:** 1 tablespoon

– **Vegetable Oil:** 2-3 cups

(Use enough oil for frying, filling your frying pan or deep fryer to a depth of about 1-2 inches, ensuring the chicken can fully submerge.)

Preparing the Ingredients

Before you start cooking, it’s essential to prepare your ingredients. Begin by marinating the chicken in buttermilk to tenderize and flavor it. Then, mix the flour and seasonings in a separate bowl to create the coating for the chicken.

Cutting Techniques

When cutting the chicken breast into strips, make sure to cut them evenly to ensure even cooking. This will help the chicken Fingerz cook uniformly and achieve that perfect crispy texture.

Kitchen Tools Required

To make Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz, you will need a deep fryer or a large skillet for frying the chicken. A meat thermometer is also essential to ensure the chicken is cooked to the proper temperature. Additionally, you will need a mixing bowl for the flour mixture and tongs for flipping the chicken strips.

Temperature and Timing Guide

Heat the vegetable oil to 350°F for frying the chicken Fingerz. Cook the chicken strips for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are golden brown and cooked through. Use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches 165°F.

Common Issues and Solutions

• If the coating is not sticking to the chicken, try patting the chicken dry before dredging it in the flour mixture.
• If the chicken is cooking too quickly or burning, lower the heat slightly and adjust the cooking time as needed.

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Instructions

1. Marinate the chicken: Cut the chicken breast into strips and marinate them in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the coating: In a bowl, mix the flour and seasonings together.
3. Dredge the chicken: Dredge the marinated chicken strips in the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated.
4. Fry the chicken: Heat the vegetable oil in a deep fryer or skillet and fry the chicken strips until golden brown and cooked through.
5. Serve: Serve the Chicken Fingerz hot with Zax Sauce for dipping.

Prep and Cooking Time

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Nutritional Value

Each serving of Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz contains approximately 300 calories. The nutritional value may vary depending on the size of the chicken strips and the amount of oil used for frying.

Tips to Achieve Restaurant Quality Results

• Make sure the oil is at the correct temperature before frying the chicken.
• Do not overcrowd the fryer or skillet, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy chicken.
• Allow the chicken Fingerz to drain on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil before serving.

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Alternative Ways to Change the Recipe

If you prefer a healthier option, you can bake the chicken Fingerz in the oven instead of frying them. Simply preheat the oven to 400°F and bake the chicken strips for 20-25 minutes, or until they are cooked through and crispy.

Final Thoughts

By following this copycat recipe for Zaxby’s Chicken Fingerz, you can enjoy a delicious and satisfying meal that rivals the original. Whether you’re craving a taste of your favorite restaurant at home or looking to impress your guests, this recipe is sure to be a hit. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and get ready to enjoy a plate of crispy, flavorful Chicken Fingerz!