Looking for a new, exciting way to enjoy chicken fingers? Try Chicken on a Stick! A unique twist on a classic recipe that everyone can enjoy. They are easy to make and even more fun to eat!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
- Kid Friendly Fun: Don’t ask me why, but kids LOVE anything on a stick! Or so I’ve found. From popsicles, corn dogs, shrimp kabobs….put it on a stick and watch what happens! It just makes eating so much more enjoyable for them.
- Crispy & Crunchy Without Frying – The cornflake coating gives the perfect crunch while baking (like in my Easy Chicken Nuggets recipe) keeps these chicken fingers light and healthier version than fried.
- Freezer Friendly: Chicken on a stick freezes beautifully so you can have a quick meal ready to go!
- Great for Parties & Lunchboxes – These skewers so versatile! They make a fun, mess-free appetizer for gatherings or put them in a school lunch for extra fun!
The Ingredients
- Cornflakes: This recipe uses cornflakes to get the crispiest breading ever! You can also use whole wheat flakes or any other savory flakey cereal.
- Chicken Tenders: Make sure you remove the stringy tendon before breading.
- Buttermilk: This ingredient tenderizes the chicken, keeping it moist and delicious.
- Popsicle sticks: This recipe still works without the stick, but it’s so much fun to eat food on a stick!
* See recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.*
How to Make Chicken on a Stick
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment paper. Spray with cooking oil spray and set aside. Place the cereal and salt in a zip lock bag and crush with a rolling pin OR place in a food processor until the size of breadcrumbs.
Step 2: Pour the buttermilk in a bowl. In a separate bowl (or large plate) pour the cereal.
Step 3: Using popsicle sticks, skewer the chicken tenders on to the sticks leaving a 1 inch handle. Sprinkle salt over chicken tenders.
Step 4: Roll the chicken tenders in the buttermilk and then in the cereal, coating the chicken completely. Press down lightly to adhere the cornflakes to the chicken.
Step 5: Place the chicken tender sticks on the sheet tray and lightly spray them with oil. Cover stick handles with foil so they do not burn.
Step 6: Bake the Chicken on a Stick for 16-18 minutes or until cooked through. Remove foil from the ends of the sticks and serve with favorite dipping sauce.
Why Use Cornflakes for Breading?
Using cornflakes (or other plain flakey cereal) instead of breadcrumbs is a popular alternative for making crispy chicken fingers for several reasons!
- Crispiness: Cornflakes tend to be crispier than breadcrumbs, which give you the crunchiest, crispiest chicken fingers ever!
- Gluten-free alternative: For those with gluten sensitivities, using cornflakes instead of breadcrumbs is a great alternative since most cornflakes are gluten-free!
- Simplicity: Some people prefer using cornflakes over breadcrumbs because it’s just down right easier or they already have cornflakes in their pantry for breakfast! You don’t have to worry about buying bread or processing it into breadcrumbs; cornflakes can simply be crushed in a plastic bag.
More Kid-Friendly Recipes on a Stick
Chicken fingers on a stick are perfect for so many occasions. Serve these at a play date, birthday party, for game day or even just for a weeknight dinner you want to make extra fun! Round it out to a full meal with some Air Fryer Baby Potatoes or Oven Baked Fries, a nice large Heirloom Tomato Salad or Fall Farmers Market Salad, and maybe some Frozen Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Bites for dessert!
FAQs for Chicken on a Stick
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? YES! Simply prepare your chicken on a stick, store them in the refrigerator, and then pop them into the oven when you’re ready to serve them. This makes them a great option for busy weeknights, as well as for when you’re hosting guests and want to minimize your time spent in the kitchen.
- Can I freeze chicken on a stick? Totally. To freeze, after step 5 (see recipe card below), place chicken tenders on a sheet tray and freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag, label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready to eat, follow steps 6-9 adding an additional 3-5 minutes to the cooking time. Do not defrost. These are a great alternative to store bought frozen chicken nuggets.
- How do I get the stick in the chicken? I usually am able to just skewer it at the thickest end, but if it’s being stubborn you can cut a small “starter hole” and then place the popsicle stick in the hole. Just be sure to slowly do this so you don’t pierce the stick out of the side of the chicken tender or through the other end!
- Do I have to put these on a stick? Not at all. These are just downright delicious chicken fingers either way. The popsicle just adds a little fun factor for kids and them an easier to hold finger food for parties and events.
Next time you’re looking for a fun and tasty way to enjoy chicken fingers, try them on a stick! Let me know what you think in the comments or tag me on social media if you make these!
Images by Ivan Solis
Chicken on a Stick
Ingredients
- 2 cups cornflakes, whole wheat flakes or other flakey cereal
- 2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
- 1 pound chicken tenders, remove white stringy tendon
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 package popsicle sticks
- cooking oil spray
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Place the cereal and 1 teaspoon salt in a zip lock bag and crush with a rolling pin OR place in a food processor until the size of breadcrumbs.
- Pour the buttermilk in one bowl and the cereal in another.
- Take the popsicle sticks and skewer the chicken tenders on to the sticks leaving a 1 inch handle. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon salt over chicken tenders.
- Roll the chicken tenders in the buttermilk and then in the cereal, coating the chicken completely. Press down lightly to adhere the cornflakes to the chicken.
- Line a sheet tray with foil or parchment paper and spray it with oil.
- Place the chicken tender sticks on the sheet tray and lightly spray them with oil. Cover stick handles with foil so they do not burn.
- Bake for 16-18 minutes or until cooked through.
- *After step 5 place chicken tenders on a sheet tray and freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer to a ziploc bag, label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready, follow steps 6-9 adding an additional 3-5 min cooking time (do not defrost).
Video
Notes
- Can I make this recipe ahead of time? YES! Simply prepare your chicken on a stick, store them in the refrigerator, and then pop them into the oven when you’re ready to serve them. This makes them a great option for busy weeknights, as well as for when you’re hosting guests and want to minimize your time spent in the kitchen.
- Can I freeze chicken on a stick? Totally. To freeze, after step 5 (see recipe card below), place chicken tenders on a sheet tray and freeze for 30 minutes. Transfer to a freezer bag, label and freeze up to 4 months. When ready to eat, follow steps 6-9 adding an additional 3-5 minutes to the cooking time. Do not defrost. These are a great alternative to store bought frozen chicken nuggets.
I’m making these right now, except I used rice krispies b/c we’re out of corn flakes. 🙂
I made these last night and they are incredible! My husband and kids are going to love them. Also the ranch dip turned out amazing. I didn’t realize it was possible to make ranch dip.
Just made these tonight. My picky 8 year old daughter gave them the thumbs up! Mine came out a little salty. Maybe I didn’t mix the corn flake crumbs & salt well enough. It was 1 tsp of salt, right? Will definitely make again.
Might be a silly question but when packing something like this in a lunch, do the kids eat them cold?
one cup of rice milk, oat milk, or soy milk, and add 1 Tbls vinegar or lemon juice and let sit for a few minutes and use. I found it online a few months back. I use the rice milk and although it is thin, it still works. When you have to, you are more willing to improvise:). Enjoy!
Great recipe!! Can you recommend a Dairy Free option for the buttermilk. Thank you!
Both my hubby (he is the picky eater in our family) and my son loved these! I used chicken breast and just cut it into strips. I will be making these again soon!
Yes, cut a starter hole and then slide them in. These are such a hit with kids!!
How do you get the chicken on a popsicle stick? Do you first have to cut a starter hole in the chicken?
My 6 yr. old daughter and I made this together, which was a lot of fun for both of us. What a great alternative to store bought (overly processed w/ questionable ingredients) chicken nuggets! After eating, she triumphantly declared,”Mom, this chicken was a success!”
This site is a gem for anyone who is conscious about what they feed their kids, and needs some creative ideas. I visit it daily since I found it! Thank you!