Crunchy Parmesan Chicken

Crunchy Parmesan Chicken

This is my version of homemade chicken nuggets and the kids gobble them up!  I typically double or triple the batch so we have leftovers for the next few days for lunches and snacks.  This is also a great recipe in which to involve little chefs if you happen to have a few around the house as I do.

INGREDIENTS

1-1/2# Chicken breasts cut in strips

1 C. Flour

1-1/2 t. Salt

1/2 t. Pepper

3 Eggs

1 T. Water

1-1/2 C. Bread crumbs

1/2 C. Grated parmesan

Butter

Olive oil

SUPPLIES

3 shallow bowls or pie tins

3 plates

whisk

large skillet

tongs

paper towels

DIRECTIONS

1. Wash & pat dry chicken breasts (or tenderloins).  Cut into 1" wide strips.  Set on plate.  This will serve as the start of your assembly line.

2. In first bowl, combine flour, salt & pepper.  

3. In second bowl, whisk together eggs & water.

4. In third bowl, combine bread crumbs (I used seasoned Panko - a slightly larger texture bread crumb traditionally used in Japanese style cooking and available at most grocery stores) & grated parmesan.  Place an empty, clean plate at the end of your line.  Your assembly line is now complete.

5. Roll chicken strips in flour mixture.  Shake off excess.

6. Dip flour-covered chicken in egg and thoroughly coat.  Allow excess to drip off.

7. Roll chicken in bread crumb mixture.  Gently shake off excess.  Place on empty plate.

8. Once all chicken has been coated in bread crumb mixture place skillet on medium heat and melt 1 T. butter with ~2 T. olive oil.

9.  Cook chicken in butter & oil being careful not to crowd the skillet as this will reduce the cooking temperature of the skillet and prolong the cooking time.

10.  Once chicken is golden brown (approx. 4-6 minutes) flip it over and cook the other side (approx. 4-6 minutes).  Chicken is done when center is no longer pink (you may have to slice through a piece to check. My kids never mind about the pre-sliced piece because by this point in time their mouths are watering and they're ready for a sample!).  

11.  Line a plate with paper towels and place finished chicken on paper towels to absorb any excess oil & butter.

On this particular night, the chicken happened to be part of a dinner we were preparing for our neighbors who just became new parents.  So in order to round out the meal, I included a simple garden salad, multi-colored couscous & brownies and delivered it in disposable containers so there would be no mess for the new parents to clean up and no dishes to track & return.  

And this is our newest little neighbor.  She is a scrumptious snuggler!