I am a huge fan of chicken, it is one of my favorite proteins to eat. Ever since I was a kid I liked chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, or chicken fingers. Did you know you can make super yummy chicken fingers at home with canned chicken? These are incredibly easy to make, if I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Ingredients and Equipment
In order to make homemade chicken fingers you need just 3 main ingredients and 2 optional seasonings:
- Chicken – You can’t make chicken fingers without the chicken. This recipe is specifically meant for canned chicken, but you can use any precooked chicken that is cut up into little pieces.
- Cheese – I usually use cheddar cheese, but you can use whatever cheese that you desire as long as it is shredded really small.
- Egg – The egg will help bind everything together.
- Pepper
- Garlic Powder
NOTE: I don’t normally add any salt because there is plenty of salt in the cheese. But you certainly can add a little salt as well.
Tools
- Bowl
- Spoon
- Kitchen gloves, optional
- Sheet pan or cookie sheet
- Silicone mat or parchment paper
How to make chicken fingers or tenders at home with canned chicken
Seriously you won’t believe how easy this recipe is to make. Begin by preheating the oven to 400F/205C. Place the main rack in the middle position.
Open the can of chicken and drain the liquid. I use the lid to keep the chicken in the can and then tilt it so the liquid comes out of the crack between the lid and the chicken.
In a medium to large bowl mix all of the ingredients together. And make sure to break up any larger chunks of chicken that might have been in the can. I usually start by adding the egg and whisking it a bit, then add the spices, then the cheese, and finally the chicken.
And just like that it is ready.
Form and Bake the homemade chicken fingers
Now all you have to do is form the chicken mixture into finger shapes. Using clean hands or wearing food prep gloves grab some of the chicken mixture and firmly press it together and form it into a “log” or “finger” then place it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Then repeat the steps until you have formed them all. You should be able to make 8 to 12 of these depending on how large you make them.
If desired you can shape them into smaller “nuggets” instead.
Now bake in the oven for 20 to 25 minutes until lightly golden brown.
Once baked allow them to cool for around 10 minutes then serve. I like to serve them with ranch, barbecue sauce, and or ketchup.
It is so incredibly easy to make these!
Enjoy!
How long do homemade chicken fingers last?
If stored in an airtight container these will last for 3 to 4 days. They can also be frozen for a few months. Just place them on the sheet pan spread them apart and freeze for 2 hours then they can be placed in a freezer bag and back in the freezer for 2 to 3 months. Reheat them in the oven or air fryer.
Can these be cooked in an air fryer?
Yes! Set your air fryer to 400F/205C and placed the formed fingers in the basket and air fryer for 8 to 12 minutes until golden brown. You may need to flip them at the 6-minute mark depending on your air fryer.
Here are other chicken recipes you may enjoy:
Homemade Chicken Fingers with Canned Chicken
Equipment
- Bowl
- spoon
- Kitchen gloves, optional
- Sheet pan or cookie sheet
- Silicone Mat or parchment paper
Ingredients
- 1 10 or 12-oz can of chicken 354g
- 1 egg
- 1/4 tsp of black pepper 1g
- 1/2 tsp of garlic powder 2g
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese use whatever kind you want, I like to use cheddar (42g)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400F/205C
- Open the can of chicken and drain the liquid.
- Mix the egg, pepper, garlic powder, cheese, and canned chicken in a large bowl. Break up any larger pieces of chicken.
- Using clean hands or wearing gloves pick up a few tablespoons of chicken mixture and press it together firmly to form the chicken finger. Then place it on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Repeat the steps until all the chicken fingers are formed. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
- Allow them to cool for about 10 minutes then serve.
Notes
These were good beyond my expectations. I’ve seen this recipe a lot and finally decided to try it. I cooked for 23 minutes in the oven. In the future I’ll do just 20. I did add a splash of olive oil to the mixture. Cooking time will make a difference for my preference from good to fantastic.
Awesome! So glad you gave these chicken fingers a try and liked it!
Mine are looking like sizzling blobs of cheese. Will they firm up?
Yes when they cool.
I am absolutely amazed by this recipe! The simplicity yet the end result being incredibly delicious. I’ll admit, I was a bit skeptic at first because every time I use canned chicken it usually retains some of the canned chicken qualities.
This didn’t have any of those qualities after I prepared it….and it was eaten by even the picky eaters (an adult included!)
The only thing I did was added a bit of Cajun seasoning with the pepper and garlic powder.
So so good! And quick to prepare even on the days this tired mama has no energy left.
Really appreciate this recipe. Thank you Matt!!
Such a nice compliment. So glad you tried it and liked it!! 🙂 You are so very welcome. Yeah canned chicken and be tricky sometimes, glad you are satisfied with the results.
Can you make these in an air fryer and how long to cook.the
Hi there, yes it was mentioned in the post above the recipe card: Set your air fryer to 400F/205C and placed the formed fingers in the basket and air fryer for 8 to 12 minutes until golden brown. You may need to flip them at the 6-minute mark depending on your air fryer.
5 stars! Best canned chicken nugget recipe around. I added a bit of garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and dash of white pepper with a Mexican cheese blend and they were a hit with my 4 year old (and me!) delish. Thank you!!
Awesome Danielle! So glad you gave it a try and liked it. You are so very welcome!
I am making the Chicken Fingers at this moment. It is a simply recipe. I am excited about the outcome. I served the chicken fingers. There are no leftovers
and I doubled the recipe. I will make these again soon. I served them with mashed potatoes and broccoli. The only problem I had was I forgot the parchment paper. Big mistake they stuck securely. Still they were delicious. Thank you for a tasty, easy and quick dinner.
Glad you made them and liked them! Yes the parchment paper or silicon baking mat is a must.
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Glad you tried it and liked it!
Can you substitute these with fat free cheese, or will they not bind good?
Hi Joseph! I haven’t tried it with cheese, but I think it would work our okay. Some of the cheese may bleed out of the sides. Something like this is better deepfried, because it cooks it so fast the cheese doesn’t have time to bleed out as much, similar to these mozzarella sticks https://www.inthekitchenwithmatt.com/mozzarella-sticks or in an air fryer like this https://www.inthekitchenwithmatt.com/air-fryer-mozzarella-sticks.
I can’t wait to try this! We are a low income household and were recently gifted a ton of canned chicken, we usually use it for soups and pastas but I think my kids will like trying these 🙂
Yes please give these a try and let me know how they turn out. 🙂
Just made these! Omgosh delish!! And so easy! Having with ranch dressing and al dente broccoli. 🙂
So glad you tried them and liked them!
I just added this to my go-to recipes! Never thought canned chicken can turned into a super delicious and satisfying chicken fingers!
Awesome!! Happy to hear it!
Amazing! I had no idea you could make chicken nuggets with canned chicken! This recipe is a lifesaver when I’m overdue for a grocery run or when I didn’t think ahead to thaw frozen chicken in time.
Thanks! Glad you gave it a try and liked it!!
I loved it! It was a huge hit with my kids! Thanks!
Glad you tried these homemade chicken fingers and liked it!