Almond Crusted Baked Chicken Tenders!

If you are craving an EASY go-to, healthy, classic dinner - this is it! These are SO good. Dip them in a little ketchup and you'll feel like you just stepped back into your childhood. The great thing about them is they are oven baked, NOT fried. And believe me, you won't miss that deep fried taste once you bite into these guys!

I got this recipe (a couple years ago actually) off of Eating Well's website. It has been a keeper from that day on! I would usually go with sweet potato fries - but we had leftover Orzo Salad from a small group event the night before, so it saved me from cooking one more thing. Don't pass these up!

Ingredients:

• Canola oil cooking spray
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (I accidentally left this out, and they turned out fine!)
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 pound chicken tenders (If you are serving more than 2, adjust accordingly)

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 475. Line a baking sheet with foil, and then set a wire rack (like a cookie cooling rack) on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.

2. Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout, about 1 minute. With the motor running, drizzle in oil; process until combined. Transfer the mixture to a plate or shallow dish. (Again, I didn't do the olive oil and all was fine.)

3. Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish, or bowl. Add chicken tenders and turn to coat. Transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly. Place the tenders on the prepared rack. Once all have been dipped and placed, coat the tops of them with cooking spray. Then flip them, and spray the other side.

4. Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Oh, enjoy these :) I know you will!