Have you ever stared at a bag of frozen chicken fingers in your freezer and thought, “what the heck am I gonna make with these tonight?” We’ve all been there! As a busy parent trying to get dinner on the table chicken fingers (or chicken tenders as some folks call ’em) have saved my behind more times than I can count.
But serving plain ol’ chicken fingers with a side of ketchup gets boring real fast That’s why I’ve rounded up some seriously delicious ways to transform those humble chicken strips into meals that’ll make your family think you spent hours in the kitchen (when really, you just got creative with what was in the freezer)
Why Chicken Fingers Are a Freezer MVP
Before we dive into all the yummy recipes let’s take a sec to appreciate why chicken fingers deserve a permanent spot in your freezer
- They’re already cooked or ready to heat up
- Kids actually eat them without complaining (miracle!)
- They’re versatile as heck
- They add protein to practically any dish
- They save dinner when you forgot to thaw something else (we’ve all been there!)
Now let’s get to the good stuff – all the ways you can use chicken fingers to create meals that’ll have everyone asking for seconds!
Sandwiches & Wraps That’ll Make Your Mouth Water
1. Chicken Finger Subs
This is one of my go-to weeknight dinners that takes literally minutes to throw together.
How to make it:
- Slice chicken fingers in half lengthwise
- Layer them on submarine rolls
- Add lettuce, tomato, cheese, and your fave condiments
- Serve with a side of fries or tater tots
Pro tip: Warming the chicken fingers first makes them extra tasty in these subs!
2. Buffalo Chicken Wraps
Got a spice lover in your house? These wraps bring the heat but in the best possible way.
How to make it:
- Cut chicken fingers into bite-sized pieces
- Toss them in Buffalo wing sauce
- Wrap in tortillas with shredded lettuce/cabbage
- Add shredded cheese and ranch or blue cheese dressing
- The cool, creamy fillings balance the heat perfectly!
3. Asian Chicken Crunch Wraps
These wraps are seriously addicting and a total family pleaser.
How to make it:
- Layer chicken fingers in tortillas
- Add crunchy veggies like carrots and cabbage
- Drizzle with Asian-inspired dressing
- Roll up tight and enjoy!
Kids love these in their lunch boxes too – just sayin’!
Pizza Night Reimagined
4. Chicken Parmesan Pizza
Pizza night gets a major upgrade with this crossover dish.
How to make it:
- Spread pizza crust with marinara sauce
- Top with sliced chicken fingers
- Sprinkle generously with mozzarella cheese
- Add Italian seasoning
- Bake until cheese is bubbly and golden
This is literally the perfect combo of two family favorites!
5. Santa Fe Chicken Pizza Pie
Give your pizza a southwestern kick that’ll wake up your taste buds.
How to make it:
- Slather taco sauce on pizza dough
- Top with sliced chicken fingers
- Add black beans, green chiles
- Sprinkle with Mexican cheese blend
- Bake until edges are crisp
This pizza seriously tastes like something from a fancy restaurant, but it’s so easy to make at home!
Salads That Don’t Suck
6. Sticky Chicken Fingers Salad
I know what you’re thinking – salad? Really? But trust me, this ain’t your average boring bowl of greens.
How to make it:
- Toss chicken fingers with romaine lettuce and shredded carrots
- Add grated cheese and dried cranberries
- Drizzle with your favorite dressing (honey mustard is amazing here!)
The combo of crispy chicken with fresh veggies is chef’s kiss!
7. Crispy Asian Chicken Salad
This salad is so good, you’ll forget you’re eating something healthy.
How to make it:
- Mix crispy chicken fingers with greens
- Add mandarin oranges, almonds, and crunchy noodles
- Toss with Asian-inspired dressing
It’s sweet, savory, and has the best texture contrast!
One-Dish Wonders
8. Chicken Finger Casserole
When you need comfort food that feeds a crowd, this casserole has your back.
How to make it:
- Chop chicken fingers into bite-sized pieces
- Mix with rice or pasta
- Add veggies and cream of mushroom soup or cheese sauce
- Top with breadcrumbs or more cheese
- Bake until bubbly
This is my go-to when we have company over – it’s always a hit!
9. Chicken Finger Stir Fry
Got a bag of frozen veggies? You’re halfway to dinner already!
How to make it:
- Stir fry chicken fingers with broccoli, carrots, bell peppers, and onions
- Add teriyaki or General Tso’s sauce
- Serve over steamed rice
This beats takeout any day of the week – both in taste and on your wallet!
Fun Finger Foods & Appetizers
10. Buffalo Chicken Kabobs
These are perfect for game day or just when you want something fun for dinner.
How to make it:
- Thread chicken fingers onto skewers
- Alternate with raw veggies like cherry tomatoes and celery
- Brush with buffalo sauce
- Serve with blue cheese for dipping
These are so much easier (and less messy) than traditional wings!
11. Chicken Finger Sliders
Mini sandwiches that deliver major flavor? Count me in!
How to make it:
- Cut chicken fingers to fit mini buns
- Add pickles, mayo and/or honey mustard
- Serve as appetizers or make a meal with some sides
These are totally addictive – you’ve been warned!
12. Chicken Tempura Rolls
Feeling fancy? Try making your own sushi rolls with chicken fingers!
How to make it:
- Use a bamboo mat to roll sticky rice with chicken fingers
- Add veggies like cucumber or avocado
- Serve with soy sauce for dipping
Your friends will be seriously impressed when you whip these out!
Global Cuisine Made Easy
13. Chicken Finger Tacos
Taco Tuesday just got a major upgrade.
How to make it:
- Warm corn or flour tortillas
- Fill with chopped chicken fingers
- Add shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, guacamole
- Sprinkle with Mexican cheese blend
- Finish with a squeeze of lime
These tacos are so good, you might need to make extras!
14. Chicken and Waffles
This classic soul food dish is actually super easy to make at home.
How to make it:
- Prepare frozen or homemade waffles
- Top with crispy chicken fingers
- Drizzle with maple syrup
The combo of sweet and savory is absolutely irresistible!
15. Chicken Finger Quesadillas
These are cheesy, crispy, and oh-so-satisfying.
How to make it:
- Fill flour tortillas with shredded cheese and sliced chicken fingers
- Add tomatoes, onions, jalapeños, and cilantro
- Fold in half and cook in a skillet until cheese melts
- Serve with guacamole, salsa, and sour cream
I make these for lunch all the time – they’re quick and delicious!
Cozy Comfort Food
16. Chicken Finger Pot Pie
Nothing says comfort like a homemade pot pie, and this shortcut version is genius.
How to make it:
- Line a pie plate with prepared crust
- Fill with chopped chicken fingers, mixed veggies, and gravy
- Top with another crust or biscuits
- Bake until golden and bubbly
This is my go-to dinner when the weather turns cold!
17. Chicken Finger Soup
Soup from the soul but without all the work!
How to make it:
- Simmer chicken broth with chopped chicken fingers
- Add veggies like carrots, celery, and onions
- Toss in some noodles and let them cook until tender
- Season to taste
Perfect for sick days or just when you need something warm and comforting!
Quick Tips for Working with Chicken Fingers
Here are some of my personal tricks for getting the most out of chicken fingers:
- For maximum crispiness: Bake chicken fingers on a wire rack over a baking sheet
- For saucy dishes: Slightly undercook the chicken fingers first so they don’t get tough when added to sauces
- For meal prep: Cook a big batch on the weekend and use in different recipes throughout the week
- For picky eaters: Let them help choose the dipping sauces or toppings
Bottom Line on Chicken Fingers
Chicken fingers aren’t just kid food – they’re a versatile ingredient that can help you put together creative, delicious meals in minutes. With just a few simple ingredients, you can transform these humble strips into crave-worthy dinners your whole family will request again and again.
Next time you’re staring at that bag of chicken fingers in your freezer, remember this list and get creative! Your family will think you’re a kitchen genius, and only we’ll know that it took less than 30 minutes to get dinner on the table.
What’s your favorite way to use chicken fingers? Drop a comment below – I’m always looking for new ideas to add to my recipe rotation!
P.S. Don’t forget to pin this for later – you know you’re gonna need these ideas next time you’re in a dinner rut!
What to Serve with Chicken Tenders
Firstly, can we take a minute to appreciate how great chicken tenders and/or chicken nuggets can be? Almost a definite way to get protein into our kiddos, and they are ready quickly!
You can eat them grilled or fried, breaded or marinated – so many options!
Chicken is also a great source of B vitamins like B12 and riboflavin, iron, choline, and selenium – important for our growing kids, and even us as adults too.
I absolutely love chicken tenders paired with a high carbohydrate side for a post-workout meal, like a kale quinoa sweet potato salad.
Or, when you need a quick lunch or easy Wednesday night dinner idea, chicken tenders fit the bill.
What to serve with chicken tenders can be an opportunity to offer colorful, nutrient-dense foods that will nourish bodies of all ages.
Fortunately, chicken is versatile and goes with just about everything. Like my post on what to eat with sweet potatoes, chicken tender sides can be as easy and versatile as you’d like.
These simple sides are the perfect complement for chicken tenders. Packing in both flavor and nutrients, everyone will be satisfied.
Vegetables can be enjoyed in several ways as a side dish with chicken tenders. Take just broccoli – here are more than 15 ideas for recipes for broccoli recipes for baby-led weaning that the entire family will love.
Veggies make the perfect chicken tenders side dish, adding both flavor and nutrition. Plus, you can dress them up, make them heartier and more filling, or keep them light.
Need some ideas? Broccoli, carrots, parsnips, peas, green beans, spinach, cauliflower, beets, onion, and mushrooms – All are loaded with antioxidants and health-giving nutrients.
Vegetables may also include salads.
Your whole family needs a variety of vegetables for optimal immune function, digestion, growth and development, and disease prevention.
These veggie side dishes can be enjoyed plain, air fried, or roasted for a delicious spin. Plus, serving veggies with chicken tenders, which are already a safe food, can help get toddlers to eat veggies, or at least try them.
One of my favorite ways is to use the steamable frozen bags – because they are ready in minutes. I’ll serve them up with chicken tenders and rice, and it’s a quick, easy meal!
You may also want to include a starch, or carbohydrate, along with your chicken tenders. Starches provide the energy our bodies need, as well as fiber, B-Vitamins and more.
Starches include pasta, breads, rice, oats, potatoes, sweetpotatoes, quinoa, corn, beans, and cereals – and an opportunity to provide whole grains.
Adding starchy foods can be an easy side dish for chicken tenders, ready in minutes.
Pasta can be a super easy side dish for chicken tenders, and one that usually is well-loved by kids.
Whether you want a plain cheesy pasta, a creamy pasta bake, or just noodles with butter, pasta can be a great vehicle to serve along with chicken tenders.
You can find a gluten free pasta, or even mix in other nutrient-dense additions, like beans, legumes, vegetables or healthy fats.
Plus, pasta is ready in under 10 minutes!
Most kids love the sweetness of fruit, so it can be a great side dish for chicken tenders. You can even serve fruit and veggies together, like in this toddler mac and cheese!
While fruits do have more natural sweetness compared to vegetables, rest assured that they are still very nutritious and provide similar amounts of fiber and nutrition.
Plus, they are generally easy without much preparation needed and can be taken on the go if needed.
If you’re slowly trying to incorporate more variety into your picky eaters, serving chicken tenders with a variety of snack foods may work well!
This could include veggie sticks or pea crisps, grapes, pepperoni, sweetpotato apple muffins or a fun baked good, string cheese, ants on a log, etc.
The idea here is to pair the familiar chicken tenders with some new foods, to urge your children to at least try them. And sometimes a “snacky” meal is more enticing than a normal balanced meal.
Just to drive the point home that side dishes for chicken tenders can pretty much entail anything, here are some other easy ideas from your pantry or pre-made from the store.
- Coleslaw
- Cornbread
- Minute rice
- Charcuterie board
- Chips or crackers
- Garlic bread or breadsticks
- Salsa or guacamole
- Quickbread
Why You’ll Love These Chicken Tenders Side Dishes
There’s nothing wrong with relying on a boxed or frozen side in a pinch, but the ease of these recipes will surprise you and may motivate you to try something different.
- Delicious: First, these chicken tender side dis recipes offer a wide variety of flavors, sure to suit any palate. There include fresh salads, creamy pastas, crispy sweetpotatoes, crunchy green beans, and more.
- Quick: The majority of these recipes can be made in 20 minutes or less. A healthy meal in the same time it takes to grab takeout—major bonus! You can make them while the chicken tenders are cooking. This is especially helpful on those weeknights when you come home from work or sports practice and need to get dinner on the table fast.
- Personalized: The good thing about making your own side dish is that you can pick and choose the ingredients you want—tailoring it to your family’s needs or dietary preferences.
- Nourishing: These dietitian-curated recipes add a nutritious spin to your typical side dish. Most of these recipes are rich in fiber, healthy fats, and antioxidants.
- Great for picky eaters: Need a way to introduce new foods in a familiar way? Some of these recipes are a modified version of a classic—with a nutrient-dense twist. Plus, by offering new sides (like whole grain croutons) with an old classic and comfort food like chicken tenders, your child may be more likely to be adventurous.
Plus if you need any more ideas for lunches that aren’t sandwiches, any of these side options with your chicken tenders will do.
So whether you’re whipping up a quick lunch for the kids or a weeknight dinner for your family, these side dishes will not disappoint.
Why order chicken tenders at a restaurant #chickentenders
FAQ
What do you eat chicken fingers with?
French fries are most common. If they are just fried chicken strips, you could have the same as you would for fried chicken. Mashed potatoes, Mac & cheese, green beans, Cole slaw, corn, potato salad, pasta salad, garden salad, baked beans….
What are chicken tenders good for?
Chicken tenderloins are versatile, quick-cooking, and healthy due to their low-fat, high-protein content, making them ideal for a variety of dishes including breaded chicken tenders, chicken fingers, tacos, stir-fries, salads, skewers, and pasta dishes. Their delicate texture and ability to absorb flavors make them a popular choice for both simple and creative meals, though they should not be overcooked to prevent dryness.
How to turn chicken nuggets into a meal?
What can I dip chicken fingers in?
Try adding a little BBQ sauce, yellow mustard, Dijon mustard, or honey mustard, to change up the flavor. To add some heat try adding Sriracha, sweet chili sauce, spicy ketchup, or your favorite hot sauce. You can also add red pepper flakes or a little cayenne pepper to increase the heat level.