This Cornflake Chicken is a game-changer! Crispy, crunchy, and baked to perfection, it’s a lighter alternative to fried chicken but with all the crunch you love. Made with simple ingredients, this easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
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Cornflake Chicken
Who needs chicken nuggets when you can go next level and make Cornflake Chicken Tenders. This Cornflake Baked Chicken is absolutely a family favorite.
Juicy chicken breasts with a crunchy cornflake coating and a big bowl of honey mustard or Ranch dressing and my kids have all they need to call it a meal.
Actually, my whole family could make a meal out of Crispy Cornflake Chicken if I didn't force them to eat vegetables from time to time.
Grab all the ingredients, make an assembly line to dip the chicken in the cornflake crust and get the kids to help if you want - they'll love being in the kitchen with you! It's a great way for them to learn kitchen skills.
Why You'll Love Cornflake Chicken
- Crunchy Texture: The cornflake mixture creates an incredibly crispy coating that’s hard to resist and you don't even need to deep fry the chicken!
- Easy to Make: It’s super simple—just coat the chicken with a mixture of seasonings and crushed cornflakes in an assembly line, then bake!
- Versatile Flavors: Mix spices and herbs into the coating to customize the flavor. Try paprika, garlic powder, or even a bit of cayenne for a kick.
- Kid-Friendly: Kids love the crispy texture and mild flavor, making it a great family meal. Make Cornflake Chicken Tenders for small hands, and your kids will beg for them again and again!
- Budget-Friendly: Cornflakes are inexpensive and usually already in the pantry. Whip up these crispy chicken strips for a sleepover - all the kids will love them!
- Great for Meal Prep: Make a big batch and enjoy it throughout the week—hot or cold! See notes below for reheating them.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Everyone loves a good chicken dish and this cornflake fired chicken hits the spot whether it’s a weeknight dinner or a potluck.
- Pairs Well with Dips: Serve with honey mustard, barbecue sauce, or ranch for dipping!
- Comfort Food: It’s just one of those nostalgic, homey dishes that make you feel good.
Tools Needed
- Rolling Pin and Ziptop Bag
- OR Food processor
- 9x13-inch baking sheet
- Wire rack
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- 3 Shallow dishes
- Whisk
- Measuring cups & spoons
Ingredients
The ingredients for Cornflake Crusted Chicken are easy to find and most are even pantry staples.
- Chicken Breasts- If you don’t want to slice them yourself, you can buy chicken cutlets or a pack of chicken tenders for convenience.
- Box of Cornflakes - the brand doesn't matter, I've used everything from Kellogg's Corn Flakes to Dollar General generic corn flakes - they all work great for the chicken coating in this recipe.
- All-purpose Flour
- Garlic Powder
- Paprika
- Onion Powder
- Garlic Salt- If you don’t have garlic salt, use equal parts garlic powder and salt as a substitute.
- Black Pepper
- Eggs
- Milk
- Cooking Spray
Find the full recipe with ingredients measurements in the recipe card below.
Substitutions
Chicken tenders vs chicken breast: tenders are already cut into thin strips which makes them easier for kids to eat, but keep in mind they may cook a little faster since they aren't as thick.
Chicken Thighs. Use boneless, skinless chicken thighs for a juicier option.
Cornflakes: Swap with panko breadcrumbs for a different crunch.
Cooking spray: Use olive oil or olive oil spray, or melted butter for a richer taste.
How to Make Cornflake Chicken
Create an assembly line for this Corn Flake Chicken and it'll come together in no time!
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire cooling rack on top. Spray the wire rack lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking. This will allow the chicken juices to drip onto the pan and the crispy cornflakes will be cooked from all sides.
- Pour the cornflakes into a Ziploc bag and crush with a heavy rolling pin.
- Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Hold your knife parallel to the board and carefully slice each breast horizontally to create two thinner pieces.
- In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and pepper.
- In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk for the egg wash.
- Place the crushed cornflakes in a third shallow bowl.
- Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
- Dip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
- Press into the crushed cornflake crumbs, ensuring both sides are well coated.
- Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack over the baking pan. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray.
- The chicken bakes in a hot oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the crunchy coating is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. You want to achieve crispy perfection.
- Let rest for a couple of minutes before serving.
Cornflakes Chicken Dipping Sauces
If we have one dressing or condiment in our fridge for dipping Corn Flakes Chicken, we have ten. Here are the ones we reach for most:
- Ketchup
- Honey Mustard Sauce
- Ranch Dressing
- BBQ Sauce
- Hot Honey Sauce
- All the Chick-Fil-A sauces!
Pro Tips
Here are a few tips to make chicken with corn flakes even easier to make!
- Line up your three bowls that you'll be dipping the chicken in to make a dredging station.
- I prefer to leave my corn flake crumbs a little chunky for extra crunch instead of pulverizing them into fine crumbs. This is why I prefer a rolling pin and Ziploc bag vs. a food processor. But if you only have a food processor or blender, use the pulse button to keep from turning them into dust.
- Change up the seasonings if you like - try chili powder, Italian seasoning, etc.
- Mix some shredded parmesan cheese into the crunchy cornflakes for Crunchy Parmesan Chicken
- Line your baking sheet with aluminum foil for easy clean up!
- If you want to check for doneness, grab a meat thermometer. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Cornflake Chicken - Air Fryer Instructions
If you're wondering how to make cornflake chicken in an air fryer - I've got you! It actually turns out super crispy, and it cooks faster than in the oven-baked cornflake chicken.
How to Make Air Fryer Cornflake Chicken:
- Prepare the Chicken: Follow the original instructions to coat your chicken pieces with your usual egg wash and then press them into the crushed cornflake cereal to coat evenly.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: Set it to around 375°F (190°C).
- Spray with Oil: Lightly spray the coated chicken with cooking spray or brush with a little bit of oil to help it crisp up.
- Cook: Instead of a baking dish, place the chicken fingers in a single layer in the air fryer basket (don’t overcrowd), and cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The exact time may vary depending on the thickness of the chicken.
- Check for Doneness: The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C).
Serving Suggestions
Serve with mashed potatoes, sweet potato fries, roasted veggies, or a side of mac and cheese. We prefer green beans and mashed potatoes or fries. Here are some of our favorite recipes:
- Crockpot Funeral Potatoes (Cheesy Potato Casserole)
- Instant Pot Southern Green Beans
- German Cucumber Salad
- Corn & Mac Casserole
Storage Directions
Refrigerator. Corn Flakes Chicken should be stored in an airtight container or covered tightly with plastic wrap. It will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To Reheat: Wanna eat them the next day? Bake at 350°F for 10-12 minutes until heated through. Avoid microwaving to keep the coating crispy.
To Freeze: For longer storage, place fully cooked, cooled chicken on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Transfer to a freezer bag and store for up to 3 months. Reheat from frozen at 375°F for 20-25 minutes.
FAQ
Yes! Adjust cooking time as thighs may take a few extra minutes to cook through.
A wire rack helps air circulate around the chicken, making the coating crispier.
Yes! Pulse a few times for a fine crumb or crush by hand or with a rolling pin for a chunkier coating.
More Delicious Chicken Recipes
- Crunchy Dorito Chicken Casserole
- Creamy Crockpot Chicken and Noodles
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Crack Dip Recipe
- Low Carb Chicken Taco Casserole
- The Best Cheesy Chicken & Rice Casserole
- Grilled Chicken Thighs with Easy Marinade Recipe
Recipe
Best Cornflake Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Baked)
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Description
This Cornflake Chicken is a game-changer! Crispy, crunchy, and baked to perfection, it’s a lighter alternative to fried chicken but with all the crunch you love. Made with simple ingredients, this easy recipe is perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
- 2 large chicken breasts, halved horizontally to make 4 pieces
- 2 ½ cups cornflakes, crushed
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Cooking spray
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place a wire cooling rack on top. Spray the wire rack lightly with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board. Hold your knife parallel to the board and carefully slice each breast horizontally to create two thinner pieces.
3. In a shallow dish, combine the flour, garlic salt, smoked paprika, onion powder, and pepper.
4. In another shallow dish, whisk together the eggs and milk.
5. Place the crushed cornflakes in a third shallow dish.
6. Dredge each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off excess.
7. Dip into the egg mixture, allowing excess to drip off.
8. Press into the crushed cornflakes, ensuring both sides are well coated.
9. Place the coated chicken pieces on the prepared wire rack over the baking sheet. Lightly spray the tops of the chicken with cooking spray.
10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until chicken is golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F.
11. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Can I use chicken thighs instead of chicken breasts?
Yes! Adjust cooking time as thighs may take a few extra minutes to cook through.
Why bake on a wire rack?
A wire rack helps air circulate around the chicken, making the coating crispier.
Can I crush the cornflakes in a food processor?
Yes! Pulse a few times for a finer texture or crush by hand for a chunkier coating.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 25
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
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