Crispy Chicken Strips

Tonight was one of our few evenings at home without any activities to run to after school. It was so nice to bring the boys home after school and get homework done without rushing. They even had time to play before it got too dark outside. That is definitely a drawback to this time of year - loss of daylight! I find it so hard to get motivated to do too much when we get home and it's already dark outside. Maybe that's why I dread the end of summer so much.

Since I had a slightly more leisurely evening, I thought tonight would be a good time to continue on my mission to find a way to make the perfect crispy chicken strips. The recipe I came up with tonight is definitely a winner all the way around our dinner table. Panko bread crumbs really make these chicken strips nice and crispy without having to fry them up.

I served the chicken strips with a simple side dish of sauteed asparagus tossed with pasta and a bit of butter. My boys have a preference for buttered noodles, so I figured that might entice them into touching the asparagus as well. My Oldest dug in and never looked back. My Youngest, opted just for the pasta. He did try the asparagus, and I imagine he'll get to where he enjoys it eventually if I keep trying.

Looking for some other kid-friendly weeknight meals? Check out these recipes:

One of my favorite bloggers, Jenny at Picky Palate has made what looks like the most amazing Mac & Cheese. Total comfort food! What kid (or adult) could resist it?
Mary at One Perfect Bite is a newer blogger, but you wouldn't know it by the incredible recipes she shares over there! Her One Pan Teriyaki Chicken sounds perfect for a weeknight meal and I know that it would go over well with my kids!
Susan at Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy not only makes treats that will delight you, but also delicious meals as well. Using a premade pizza crust, she made Pizza Margherita which is one of my favorite pizzas! You could so easily make pizza to accomodate each member of the family.



Crispy Panko Breaded Chicken Strips
Source: Patsyk

Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons onion powder
2 teaspoons paprika
2 eggs
2 tablespoons honey
8 ounces Panko bread crumbs (Italian seasoned if you can find it, if not add about 2 tablespoons Italian seasoning)

Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover a baking pan with aluminum foil to make clean-up quick and easy.

Combine flour, onion powder and paprika in a shallow dish. In a second shallow dish, beat 2 eggs, then add honey and stir to combine. In a third shallow dish, add the panko bread crumbs and Italian seasoning, if using it). Dip the chicken strips first, in the flour mixture, then the eggs and finally in the panko bread crumbs. Make sure to press the crumbs into the chicken in order to ensure they adhere to the chicken.

Please all chicken strips on prepared baking pan, then spray each strip with cooking spray. Bake for about 20 minutes or until done.