Ok folks, so this is it x2. I know that I just did a breaded recipe last week and I really have no excuse. Earlier I was in the process of getting a strudel put together (next post m'peeps!) when *Alas* I discovered that I had no onions. Not anything terrible right... just go out and get one for God's sake! EXCEPT that it's nasty raining outside and I had just gotten back from being out in it and I had determined that I was not going out in it again. SO... it's not happenin' tonight! Left with some chicken and dying Buttermilk, I thought of this little gem that I pull out far less often than I should. Admittedly, I do find that McDonalds has kind of wrecked breaded chicken for me (and this recipe tastes nothing like their 'chicken nuggets' so don't even try that argument on your kids - it doesn't work) because it's so unpleasant. Maybe if I make this more often breaded chicken will become elevated to something almost noble... something to aspire to.


The chips were an after thought. The two go together well and the kids like it. Plus, because they are baked in the oven with a small amount of olive oil AND I leave the potato skins on, it's actually quite nutritious. Really though, it's beyond easy AND this also tastes WAYYYY better than the other 'french fries' that 'you-know-who' gives you (I don't know why I'm raggin' on Ronald tonight).


We thoroughly enjoyed our little pub food at home, although my 9 yr old and I agreed that the breaded chicken needed a little more salt (which I've adjusted in the recipe below) and my 3 yr old wouldn't even have any!!! He'll learn.

Breaded Chicken Strips
(serves 4 easily)

5 med. sized boneless chicken breasts (I actually used a combo of 2 breasts and some boneless thighs as well - the meat is a little more moist)
Buttermilk (enough to cover the chicken once it's cut up)
2 1/2 cups of bread or cracker crumbs
1/2 cup of oatmeal (yes peeps)
1/3 cup sunflower seeds (could use just about anything here)
1/3 cup mixed nuts
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
2 tbsp of lemon or orange zest (I used orange tonight)
1 1/2 tsp salt
3 eggs
1 - 1 1/2 cup flour

Cut up chicken in strips and marinate in the buttermilk for at least a half hour (you could do this overnight if you like)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Get a baking sheet ready, sprinkled with cornmeal (keeps things from sticking).
Mix the crackers, oatmeal, seeds and nuts in a blender until they are all of a similar consistency that's appropriate for breading. Pour into a shallow bowl and mix the rest of the ingredients in.
In another bowl beat the eggs until yolks are blended in. In a third bowl place the flour.
Take each piece of chicken and first dip it entirely in the flour until covered then in the egg mixture until covered and finally in the breading mixture until covered. Place on the baking sheet and repeat until the chicken is done.
Bake the chicken for about 30 min. until edges are crispy.


Oven Chips
(serves 4)

4 - 6 potatoes cut into strips (or however you like your french fries)
olive oil
coarse salt

I've done away with the pre-boiling unless I just don't have much time at all.

If you want to pre-boil. Place the cut potatoes in boiling water for a maximum of 5 min (they absolutely can't get mushy at all). Remove from boiling water and dry off ( I just use a dish towel).

Otherwise, place the uncooked potatoes on a baking sheet. Pour olive oil over top (let's say a 1/4 cup or so) and mix around so that all the potato strips are covered. Sprinkle with salt. Bake for 15 min. Remove from oven and turn things over a bit and bake for another 10 min or so. Once they are out of the oven, sprinkle with a little more salt.

People, you could make a quick plum sauce for the chicken, it's not something that we are in the habit of doing here but it would be a really nice addition. I'm not into all the additional additive crap in the store bought stuff but if you find something good and organic - go for it!!!