T.G.I. Friday's Sesame Jack Strips Copycat

Ingredients

• 1 tbsp salt (For the brine)
• 2 cup water (For the brine)
• 1 lb skinless chicken breast fillets (About 3 breasts; chicken tenderloins, 9 to 10 pieces, may be used instead)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (For the breading)
• 0.75 cup panko Japanese bread crumbs (For the breading)
• 1 tsp paprika (For the breading)
• 0.75 tsp salt (For the breading)
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder (For the breading)
• 2 large eggs (Beaten)
• 0.25 cup milk (Mixed with the beaten eggs)
• 6 cup vegetable oil or shortening (Use 6 to 12 cups for frying, depending on the vessel)
• 1 cup Jack Daniel's glaze (See the source's separate glaze recipe; used for tossing and serving)
• 1 tsp sesame seeds (For sprinkling)
• 1 cup iceberg lettuce (Thinly sliced; optional, for serving)

Steps

1. 1

   Make the brine by combining 1 tablespoon salt and 2 cups water in a medium bowl.

2. 2

   Slice the chicken breasts into strips, then cut each strip in half or into thirds. If using tenderloins, slice each tenderloin in half or into thirds. Place the chicken pieces in the brine, cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

3. 3

   Heat the vegetable oil or shortening in a deep fryer, large saucepan, or Dutch oven to 350°F.

4. 4

   Remove the chicken from the brine. Rinse all pieces under cold water and blot them dry.

5. 5

   In a shallow bowl or pie pan, combine the flour, panko, paprika, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and garlic powder.

6. 6

   In a separate medium bowl, beat the eggs and mix in the milk.

7. 7

   Working with about 6 to 8 pieces at a time, dredge each chicken piece in the flour mixture, coat it with the egg mixture, then toss it back into the flour mixture. Allow the breaded pieces to sit in the flour for a few minutes so the coating adheres.

8. 8

   Fry 6 to 8 breaded pieces at a time for about 5 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Drain the fried chicken on a rack or a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining chicken.

9. 9

   Just before serving, gently toss the fried chicken with the Jack Daniel's glaze in a large bowl.

10. 10

    If using the lettuce, arrange the chicken strips over a bed of thinly sliced iceberg lettuce. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve with extra glaze on the side.

Notes

The source supplies the quantity of Jack Daniel's glaze but not the separate glaze recipe or its ingredients. The stated frying-oil amount is a range of 6 to 12 cups; the lower end is represented in the structured quantity field.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• American
• chicken
• fried
• copycat recipe
• panko
• sesame
• party food