Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers

Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers Recipe | Scary Delicious

| Servings: This recipe serves 4.

Introduction

Get ready to spook your guests with these delicious and creepy Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers! These chicken fingers are not only fun to make, but they are also a tasty and nutritious treat for Halloween parties or family dinners.

History

Chicken fingers are a popular dish enjoyed by people of all ages. This spooky twist on the classic chicken fingers recipe adds a fun and festive touch to the dish, making it perfect for Halloween celebrations.

Ingredients

2 large sausages

Marinade

100 ml (3.5 fl oz) skimmed milk + 1 tbsp for dipping
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tsp thyme leaves or 0.5 tsp dried
1 tbsp fresh pear juice

Chicken finger covering

90 g shredded wheat cereal - like Bitesize Shredded wheat
2 lb (907 g) finely grated cheddar cheese
4 lb (1.81 kg) grated parmesan
0.5 tsp paprika
1 quail egg
light sunflower oil spray

To decorate

8 mini plum tomatoes
4 tbsp tomato ketchup

To serve

8 new potatoes, scrubbed
4 cherry tomatoes
8 slices of cheese
160 g cooked peas
160 g cooked sweetcorn

How to prepare

Cut each large sausage in half, cover with cling film and flatten slightly. Cut into strips and place in a bowl.

Marinade

In a bowl, mix together the skimmed milk, garlic, thyme, and pear juice (the mixture may separate slightly from the pear juice, but that's okay).
Pour the marinade over the sausage, cover, and refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.
Preheat the oven to 160°C / fan 140°C / 325°F / gas mark 3.
Steam the potatoes for about 1 hour, then transfer them to a baking tray and bake in the oven for approximately 15 minutes.

Chicken finger covering

While the potatoes are cooking, place 50 g of Bitesize Shredded Wheat in a food processor and process for 1-2 minutes until finely crumbed.
Mix the crumbed Bitesize Shredded Wheat with the Parmesan, cheddar cheese, and paprika, and transfer to a large plate.
Process the remaining 40 g of Bitesize Shredded Wheat in the food processor until fine, and spread it out onto another plate.
In a small bowl, whisk the egg with the tablespoon of milk.
Remove the chicken strips from the marinade, shaking off any excess, and coat them in the finely processed Bitesize Shredded Wheat.
Dip the coated chicken strips in the beaten egg and roll them in the cheesy Bitesize Shredded Wheat coating.
Spray a large non-stick pan with light sunflower oil and fry the chicken strips over medium heat for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they turn golden and crisp.
Allow the chicken fingers to cool slightly before serving.

To decorate

Place half a mini tomato on one end of each chicken finger to resemble a red fingernail.
To create the potato eyes, top each potato with half a cherry tomato and an olive slice.

To serve

Serve four chicken fingers with 2 potato eyes, sweetcorn, peas, and tomato sauce!

Variations

Use different types of cheese for a unique flavor twist.
Add spices like cayenne pepper or chili powder for a spicy kick.
Serve the chicken fingers with a side of ranch dressing or barbecue sauce for dipping.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to flatten the sausages slightly before cutting them into strips to ensure they cook evenly.

- Marinating the chicken strips in the mixture of skimmed milk, garlic, thyme, and pear juice adds flavor and helps tenderize the meat.

- Coating the chicken fingers in a mixture of shredded wheat, cheddar cheese, and Parmesan cheese gives them a crunchy texture and cheesy flavor.

- Be sure to fry the chicken fingers until they are golden and crisp for the perfect texture.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers with new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, cheese slices, cooked peas, and sweetcorn for a complete and satisfying meal.

Cooking Techniques

Flatten the sausages slightly before cutting them into strips.

- Marinate the chicken strips for at least 4 hours for maximum flavor.

- Coat the chicken fingers in the shredded wheat and cheese mixture for a crunchy texture.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use chicken tenders or chicken breast strips instead of sausages.

- Substitute whole milk for skimmed milk in the marinade.

- Use breadcrumbs or crushed crackers instead of shredded wheat for the coating.

Make Ahead Tips

You can marinate the chicken strips and prepare the coating mixture ahead of time. Store them in the refrigerator until ready to fry.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers on a platter with the potato eyes and tomato nails for a spooky presentation. Serve with a side of ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

Pairing Recommendations

Pair Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal. Serve with a glass of apple cider or your favorite Halloween-themed drink.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers contains approximately 15 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers contains approximately 25 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers are a good source of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin C.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cheese) and eggs.

Summary

Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers are a delicious and nutritious dish that is high in protein and calcium. They are a fun and festive treat for Halloween parties or family dinners.

Summary

Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers are a fun and festive dish that is perfect for Halloween celebrations. These chicken fingers are crispy, cheesy, and delicious, making them a hit with kids and adults alike. Serve them with a side of new potatoes, cherry tomatoes, and cheese for a complete and satisfying meal. Enjoy this spooky treat at your next Halloween party or family dinner!

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was filled with a sense of excitement. It was a dark and stormy night, perfect for experimenting with something new in the kitchen. I had always loved Halloween, with its spooky atmosphere and delicious treats. So when my friend Emily shared her recipe for Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers, I knew I had to give it a try.

Emily had learned the recipe from her grandmother, who was known for her creative and delicious dishes. She told me that the key to making the chicken fingers spooky was in the seasoning – a mix of paprika, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper that gave them a fiery kick. But the real magic, she said, lay in the breading – a blend of crushed up tortilla chips and black sesame seeds that gave the fingers a hauntingly dark and crunchy coating.

I wasted no time in gathering the ingredients and getting to work. As I mixed the seasoning and crushed the tortilla chips, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. This was going to be a recipe unlike any other I had tried before.

Once the chicken fingers were breaded and ready to go, I popped them in the oven and waited anxiously for them to cook. The aroma wafting through the kitchen was tantalizing – a mix of spices and toasty tortilla chips that made my mouth water.

When the chicken fingers were finally done, I couldn't wait to try them. I carefully pulled one out of the oven and took a bite. The flavors exploded in my mouth – the heat of the seasoning, the crunch of the breading, and the juicy tenderness of the chicken all coming together in perfect harmony. It was a taste sensation like no other.

I knew right then and there that this recipe was going to become a Halloween tradition in my household. I couldn't wait to share it with my family and friends, to see their faces light up with delight as they tasted the spooky magic of these chicken fingers.

And so, every Halloween since that stormy night, I have made Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers for my loved ones. Each year, I tweak the recipe ever so slightly, adding a pinch more of this or a dash of that to make it even more delicious.

But no matter how many times I make them, the magic of those chicken fingers never fades. They are a reminder of the joy and excitement of Halloween, of the fun and creativity that comes with trying new recipes and sharing them with others.

As I look back on that first time I made Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers, I am filled with gratitude for Emily and her grandmother for sharing this recipe with me. It has become a beloved tradition in my family, a way to celebrate the spookiest night of the year with delicious food and good company.

So as I prepare to make another batch of chicken fingers this Halloween, I can't help but smile at the memories and the magic that this recipe has brought into my life. And I know that as long as I have a kitchen and loved ones to share it with, Spooky Halloween Chicken Fingers will always have a special place on our table.