Cheddar Chicken Tenders with Wilted Spinach
From the kitchen of CarlyCrispy cheddar-cracker chicken tenders meet buttery wilted spinach, a combination that feels both indulgent and clean. Golden, crunchy coating from pulverized Cheez-Its adds serious flavor without fuss. Quick enough for weeknight dinner, satisfying enough for company.
- Prep
- n/a
- Cook
- n/a
- Total
- n/a
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
Ingredients
4 servings
- 12 tablespoons olive oil
- 11 1/2 cups Cheez-It Cheddar crackers (3 oz)
- 13/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 11 1/4 lb chicken tenders (not coated or cooked)
- 11/3 cup Dijon mustard
- 12 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 11 (12- to 16-oz) bag baby spinach
- 11/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 475°F. Brush a large shallow baking pan with oil (2 tablespoons).
Pulse crackers in a food processor until finely ground, then transfer to a wide shallow bowl and stir in 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss tenders with mustard in a large bowl until coated, then dredge, 2 at a time, in cracker crumbs until evenly coated. Arrange tenders in 1 layer, without crowding, in oiled pan. Bake, turning over once, until golden brown, about 15 minutes total.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, then cook spinach, covered, turning with tongs, until spinach is just wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then serve spinach with chicken.