Spicy Cajun Chicken Tenders with Sweet Peach BBQ Sauce

 

Ingredients

Chicken: 

8 Chicken tenderloins (about 1.25 lbs) 

1 egg, beaten

2 tbsp. milk

1/3 C flour

1/2 C cornmeal

1/2 C panko breadcrumbs

1 tsp each : salt, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder

1/2 tsp. each: smoked paprika, oregano, pepper

1/4 - 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional) 

BBQ Peach Sauce: 

1/2 C ketchup

2 tbsp. molasses

2 -3 tbsp. brown sugar (or more to taste) 

2 tbsp. white vinegar

2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. each : garlic powder, onion powder

1/2 tsp each: salt, smoked paprika, chili powder

1/4 tsp. pepper

2 peaches, peeled and roughly chopped

Instructions

1) Combine barbecue sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes or until peaches are tender. When peaches are tender, add barbecue sauce to a blender and pulse to desired consistency (do not cover blender completely or it will explode). Add barbecue sauce to a bowl and taste and adjust as desired for more spice, more sugar, etc. 

2) While barbecue sauce is simmering , prepare chicken. Mix cornmeal, panko breadcrumbs and seasoning in a bowl. In a second bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Add chicken to a freezer bag (or bowl) and toss with 1/3 cup flour until well coated. Remove chicken and tap off any excess flour. Dip chicken in egg/milk bowl and let excess drip off. Place chicken in a new freezer bag and pour cornmeal/panko/seasoning into the bag and toss until well coated, pressing breading into the chicken (through the bag) , or place chicken into a bowl and toss until well coated, pressing breading into the chicken with fingers. 

3) Heat enough oil in a large nonstick skillet to cover the bottom of your pan over medium high heat. Once hot, gently add chicken breasts and cook for approximately 2 - 3 minutes or until browned on one side. Gently turn chicken over with tongs, reduce heat to medium- low , cover and continue cooking until chicken is crispy and cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes (depending on thickness of your chicken) , Cook in batches if necessary. 

4) Dip chicken in peach sauce and enjoy! 

Prep: 25 minutes

Cook: 15 minutes

Total: 40 minutes

Serves: 8 

- To easily peel peaches, cut an "X" in the bottom of each peach down to the core; then blanch them in a medium saucepan of boiling water for 10 seconds; transfer them with a slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water. Remove peaches when cool and peel, beginning where you made your "X".