Kids love chicken nuggets, but often they are filled with too many bad fats, sodium and preservatives. The solution? Make your own and make it fun! They don't take a lot of time and the results are delicious. Add a popsicle stick(make sure to soak them for 30 min prior to use) and voila, chicken lollipops! I have even made these for playdates before in bite size chunks cooked onto toothpicks for tiny fingers. This year they will be served at my son's Dinosaur birthday party and will be transformed into "Stegosaurus Lollipops!" These chicken lollipops help fulfill your growing child's need for protein, selenium and B vitamins. The crust is made with whole grain cereal, flaxmeal and wheat germ, so you know the kids are getting what they need while they get what they want! Serve them with lots of different sauces for dipping and let the kids dig in.
1 Cup crushed cereal(I used Cascadian Farms Organic multigrain cereal.)
1/2 Cup wheat germ
1/4 Cup flaxmeal
1/2 Cup finely grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp. dried thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 eggs, beaten
1 Cup whole wheat flour
2 lbs. chicken tenders
Preheat oven to 375. Spray 2 cookie sheets with non-stick cooking spray and set aside. Thread each piece of chicken with a popsicle stick. In a gallon ziploc, combine crushed cereal, wheat germ, flax, salt, pepper, thyme and cheese and shake until combined. Pour out onto a shallow plate. Beat eggs and put on a plate. Pour flour onto another plate and then set up your breading station. First dip each skewered tender in flour, then egg and then the cereal mixture. Set on the greased cookie trays and bake for about 12 minutes on each side until cooked through and browned.
If you make your chicken into bite-sized pieces, adjust cooking time accordingly.
Serves 8 or enjoy leftovers for lunch!
Posts
4 comments:
What an awesome idea! My kids are teens but I know they would eat these. One more sneaky way to get something healthy into them. Thanks!
Holly
Great idea but can you believe Andrew will not eat chicken nuggets!?!?! First child I've ever met that didn't like them. Matter of fact, he will not eat any meats now. He's only 17 mos. so maybe that will change.
Tara-that is TOTALLY common at his age. I get emails from moms everyday about that:) Have you tried firm tofu...sometimes that works. Other great protein sources are greek yogurt(23 gms per serving, so they only need a bit), eggs, nuts and seeds(if he is a good chewer and your ped approves), cottage cheese, etc. My son went through the same stage and I just kept trying. Now he will eat chicken like its his last meal!
I have COLLEGE kids, and I'm eager to try some of your recipes!
I'll definitely have to make time to snoop around here more, as your recipes and ideas are right up our alley. Well, my husband's alley. He's the one who likes to cook, tho I just might surprise us all some day...
Lucy
Post a Comment