Tag Archives: Chicken fingers

May 10, 2012

 

My husband and I love having our children and their families come for visit and we love visiting them in their homes. Family is important to us and even though none of us live near each other, we keep in touch daily.  When we are together, it is always great fun. So much to do – swimming in the pool, riding the waves at the beach or racing go-karts – brings out the hunger pangs and Grandma has a fix for that.  I am sharing some of my grandchildren’s favorite foods; kid-friendly meals that I have tried to make healthy without sacrificing flavor.

The dish that wins, hands down, as the number one favorite, is chicken fingers. They are healthy because they are baked with minimal fat instead of fried. To date, no one has noticed that they are not fried. The steps to prepare this dish are listed below:

Unfried Chicken Fingers

• 1/2 pound chicken breast tenders (fingers), about 8
• 1/4 cup refrigerator egg substitute
• 1/2 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Olive oil cooking spray   

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Coat a 9”x 13” glass baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Place chicken fingers in a shallow dish and pour the egg substitute over them.  Rotate and coat all the fingers.

Place bread crumbs in another shallow dish and dredge fingers in crumbs.

Place in prepared baking dish in a single layer. Drizzle fingers with 1 tablespoon olive oil.

Bake 15 minutes at 400 degrees F.  Turn fingers over and bake 15 minutes more.

Serve this dish with a healthy ranch dip (recipe below) and apple slices for lunch.
Chicken fingers may be frozen and reheated in a hot oven.  I usually prepare a supply when I know the children are coming, so that they are handy when we need them.

Healthy Ranch Dip

• 1/2 cup plain low fat Greek yogurt
• 1/4 cup low fat buttermilk
• 1/4 cup olive oil mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• Dash of Worcestershire
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper

Whisk together all the ingredients and chill.

1. Chicken fingers also make a good dinner option with low-fat macaroni and cheese and a green vegetable.

Low-fat Macaroni and Cheese

Yield: Makes 8 servings

Ingredients:

• 16 oz. uncooked elbow macaroni ( whole grain pasta is better)
• 2 cups skim milk
• 3 oz. Velveeta Light Cheese cut into thin strips
• 8 oz. Monterey Jack shredded cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a 13”× 9” baking dish with cooking spray.

Boil macaroni in salted water until tender but firm.
While pasta cooks, whisk together flour and 1/2 cup milk in small bowl.
Pour remaining 1½ cups milk into large saucepan and heat on low. Once milk is slightly warmed, turn heat to medium-low and add flour and milk mixture, stirring until thick.
Reduce heat slightly and add butter, cheeses and salt.
Cook until smooth (about 5 minutes).
Drain macaroni, then combine with sauce mixture, stirring thoroughly.
Pour into prepared baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs lightly and evenly on top and bake 25-30 minutes.

    2.  Another good dinner option: soup and calzone:

Easy Stracciatella Italian Soup

Ingredients

8 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta (very small pasta)
10 oz. package frozen, chopped spinach ( thawed and well-drained)
1 egg (beaten)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

In a large pot bring chicken broth to a boil on high heat.
Stir in orzo; cook approximately 10 minutes until tender but slightly firm.
Stir in spinach, salt and pepper to taste.
Cook approx 5 minutes.
Add in beaten egg to soup stirring constantly until set and cooked.
Serve in kid- sized bowls.
Sprinkle with cheese before serving.

Tomato and Mozzarella Calzone

1. Store bought pizza dough or ½ of the recipe for homemade dough, (see post, http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/05/04/its-friday-lets-have-pizza/)
2. Flour, for dusting
3. Homemade Tomato Sauce (see post for recipe, http://jovinacooksitalian.com/2012/04/19/hello-world/
4. Sliced skim mozzarella cheese
5. Salt, pepper and dried oregano

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

• Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces, shape into balls, then flatten and roll out into 6 inch rounds on a lightly floured surface. Brush cold water around the edges.
• Spread marinara sauce over the dough, spreading evenly and leaving a small border around the edge. Place slices of mozzarella on one side of each dough round and season with oregano and a little black pepper.
• Enclose the filling by lifting over the other side of the dough. Press the edges firmly together to seal and transfer to a large baking sheet.
• Cut a couple of tiny holes in the center of each calzone. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the calzone is pale-golden.  Serve with additional sauce.                                                                                                                                                                                               

Related articles

• Grandparenting in the Digital Age (education.com)
• Traditions, Family and “Famous” Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies. (mynewfavoriteday.com)

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in calzone, Chicken, Healthy Italian Cooking, Kid Friendly, macaroni & cheese, Pasta, Pizza, Soup Tags: Calzones, Chicken fingers, chocolate chunk cookies, egg drop soup, Italian cuisine, kid friendly, Lunch, macaroni & cheese, ranch dip