Barbecue-Battered Chicken Fingers

Ingredients

• 3 pounds skinned and boned chicken breasts
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 cups buttermilk
• 3/4 cup honey smoke barbecue sauce
• 2 large eggs
• Vegetable oil
• Honey smoke barbecue sauce

Preparation

1. Cut each chicken breast into 3- x 1-inch strips, and set aside.
2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients in a large shallow dish.
3. Whisk together buttermilk, 3/4 cup barbecue sauce, and eggs in a bowl. Dredge chicken pieces in flour mixture; dip in buttermilk mixture, and dredge again in flour mixture. (If flour gets gummy, just press into chicken pieces.)
4. Pour oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches in a deep skillet or Dutch oven; heat to 360°.
5. Fry chicken, in batches, 5 to 7 minutes or until golden. Drain on wire racks over paper towels. Serve with extra barbecue sauce.
6. Barbecue-Battered Pork Chops: Substitute 3 pounds boneless breakfast pork chops for chicken, and proceed as directed. For a delicious serving idea, serve cooked chops in biscuits.