Chicken Goujons (Healthy and Homemade)!

Why you should make this recipe?

A simple yet flavourful main dish packed with protein – these chicken goujons are a tasty treat. These homemade chicken goujons are easy to make using simple ingredients that you are likely to have in your pantry and fridge.

Instead of deep frying these strips for a crispy exterior, you’ll add them to an air fryer for the same effect without the extra oil. Adding crushed cornflakes as the coating will also provide a delightful, crunchy bite to breaded chicken goujons.

This is my favourite recipe since healthy chicken goujons make an excellent appetizer or snack. You can also pair them with a veggie and carb to create an entire lunch or dinner. Kids even adore these goujons, making them an excellent choice for a healthier meal or snack.

What are they?

Chicken goujons are chicken tenders or chicken strips. Typically, these thin strips include a breadcrumb coating and time spent in the deep fryer for a crispy exterior. Goujons are also made with fish in some cases.

The name for these chicken or fish strips comes from the French word, “gudgeon”, the name for a few different types of freshwater fish. However, it also means chicken strips. When referring to chicken goujon, the meat is typically from the pectoralis minor. Depending on who’s cooking, you may see different chicken parts used, like skinless chicken breasts or chicken tenderloin.

Ingredients

Chicken Strips

You can use any chicken meat to create my crispy chicken goujons recipe. I chose chicken strips for my chicken goujons recipe, which is pre-sliced chicken breast.

Cornflakes

This cereal adds the perfect crunch to the strips. You can also use panko breadcrumbs to make this crispy air-fried chicken dish. However, I love making breadcrumbs from cornflakes as it’s so affordable! The whole box of cereal was 45p. 

Eggs

Eggs are essential to this recipe, as they help the cornflakes stay on the chicken. You can also use yogurt, milk, or a non-dairy alternative to help the breading adhere to the meat.

Flour

Using plain flour as the first coat for the cornflake chicken helps the egg wash stick to the meat.

Seasonings

I’ve selected simple seasonings to help create a flavourful dish. If you have a preferred spice mixture, you can use that instead.

How to make chicken goujons

Start by adding the flour to a plate (season with salt), whisk the eggs onto a second plate and on the third plate, combine the seasoning (onion powder, garlic powder and paprika) with the crushed cornflakes.

Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and then coat the chicken in the flour.

Place the cornflakes onto a large chopping board and layer a sheet of parchment paper over the top of them. Crush/roll over the parchment paper until a coarse breadcrumb texture is achieved.

Preheat your airfryer to 200°C and then continue to coat the chicken with the egg, then the cornflake mix

Set aside onto a baking tray. Once every strip is breaded, spray with oil and add to your air fryer. Depending on how big your airfryer is, you might need to fry in batches.  For maximum crispiness, don’t overlap the chicken. Cook for 5 minutes then rotate and cook for another 5 minutes.

Season generously with flakey salt & enjoy! I served mine with a honey & mustard mayo dip. Just add around a 1 tsp of each to a healthy dollop of mayonnaise and stir to combine.

Note: Depending on the size of your goujon, increase or decrease the cook time.

What shall I pair with this recipe?

You can pair multiple items with chicken goujons, from dips to side dishes and more. Below, you’ll find a few ideas to help you craft a tasty meal.

Honey Mustard Mayo for Dip

Sweet, tangy and creamy, there’s nothing better than a dish of honey mustard mayo as a pairing for your crispy chicken strips. Mix these three pantry staples, until you reach your flavour preference. Then, serve alongside chicken goujons.

Fries As a Side

Fries are always a great pairing with chicken tenders. Plus, you can make them with less oil in the air fryer. Sweet potato or veggie fries are also excellent side dishes for goujons.

Steamed Veg

You can also steam the veggies of your choice for a healthier side. These veggies can include carrots, broccoli, asparagus or green beans. Season to your taste preference, then enjoy them as a nutrient-rich side dish!

FAQ

Are chicken goujons healthy?

The typical recipe for goujons is not necessarily healthy since they’re deep-fried. However, by creating them in the air fryer, you can cut down on using extra oil. These chicken tenders are a great source of protein and other nutrients like B6 and Magnesium.

Can I make this recipe without an air fryer?

Yes, you can make my chicken goujon recipe without an air fryer. All the steps will remain the same for the recipe. However, you’ll need to preheat your oven to 190°C. Then, bake the chicken strips for about 25 minutes until they reach an internal temperature of 74°C.

What is the difference between chicken tenders and goujons?

Goujons and chicken tenders are different names for the same food items. They’re both made from the same part of the chicken, the pectoralis minor (right underneath the chicken breast meat). You may also know chicken goujons as chicken fillets or chicken fingers.

Can I refrigerate chicken goujons?

You can easily store leftover goujons in the fridge for up to three days. Once cooled, put any leftover cooked chicken goujons in an airtight container. Then, store them until you’re ready to eat the chicken tenders.

You can also freeze these chicken strips (before or after you cook them). Lay them out flat on a baking sheet in the freezer. Once the strips are frozen, transfer them into an airtight container. Make sure to use frozen chicken fingers within six weeks.

Tips and Tricks

• Whilst dredging the chicken through the breading stages, use one hand for the wet ingredients (flour into egg) and the other as a dry hand (coating the egg washed piece in cornflakes).   When your ‘wet’ hand has transferred the piece out of the egg and into the cornflakes, use your dry hand to scoop a layer of cornflakes on top of the chicken. You can then use the dry hand to pat the cornflakes into the goujon without getting messy hands.
• Season the goujons with salt as sooooon as they come out of the air fryer. Salt binds to hot foods easier than cool, so this will help the chicken keep a hold of salt.
• If your chicken came pre-sliced (like mine did), add the pieces of chicken into the air fryer in batches, selecting the pieces that are alike in size to go in together. This will prevent over-cooking/ under-cooking.