Seasoned Chicken Fingers

I love easy dinners. I get out of work fairly late, so on the nights I work we either need things that have been prepped before (hello, freezer meals!) or things that are easy to make. I stumbled across this on the Tastefully Simple website, and it is a definite hit! It's just a basic breading recipe, but the addition of the different seasonings makes a huge difference in it.

You can use any of your favorite seasonings--I've tried three different TS seasonings so far, because I always have them on hand, but use whatever seasonings you like. If you don't have any on hand, I definitely recommend using something with garlic, and some type of Italian seasoning.

I love making dinners like this. Add some veggies, and you're good. And, best thing: my boys love chicken tenders! I honestly don't make them very often, casseroles are my go-to more often than not, but these are always a hit. Nate prefers the garlic, and boys don't seem to have any preference.

Want to make something like this, but can't decide what flavors to do? Do two! Most recently when I made this, I split the bread crumbs & parmesan in two separate bags. Then, I just added 1 tablespoon of one seasoning to one bag, and the other to the second bag. Once that was done, I just made sure to keep them separated on the pan. (There really wasn't a lot of color difference between the two, so keeping them separated made it easier.)

If you are looking for an easy dinner recipe--enjoy!

Printable Recipe

Seasoned Chicken Fingers

Ingredients

Chicken:

• 1 cup bread crumbs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 tablespoons Pizzeria, Garlic Garlic, Fiesta Party, or other seasoning
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

Dip (optional):

• 1 tablespoons Pizzeria, Garlic Garlic, Fiesta Party, or other seasoning
• ⅓ cup sour cream
• ⅓ cup mayonnaise

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Place bread crumbs, parmesan, and 1-2 tablespoons seasoning in a gallon resealable bag. Place beaten eggs in shallow dish.
3. In batches, coat chicken strips with egg and place in bread crumbs; shake to coat. Place on a large greased baking sheet.
4. Bake 15-25 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 170°. (This will depend on size of strips.)
5. Meanwhile, if desired, combine sour cream, mayonnaise and 1 tablespoon seasoning in a small bowl; serve with chicken fingers.

Yield/Time

8 servings, ¼ of large breast each

40 minutes

Nutrition Facts *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

170/serving + 60/Tablespoon dip

Source (for original): Tastefully Simple

Remember, comments are loved! What's your favorite way to have chicken?

Tastefully Simple info: If you are interested in making a purchase, you can purchase through my page, or just search and select "Serena Lee" as your consultant. Obviously, if you are not local and already have a consultant.... purchase through them online, or contact them! Shop local, as always! Disclaimer: I am paid a small amount with each purchase, based on sales, made through myself as a consultant. You are helping to support my baking addiction, thank you! ;)

Brownie Batter Dip

I have a serious love for brownie batter, that no amount of salmonella warnings can deter. In the dorms in college, I made brownies at least every other week...then gave away most of the brownies. (To the point that the boyfriend of one of my friends just called me Brownie. I really don't think he knew my name.) I just wanted the batter!

I still have the tendency to eat more brownie batter than I should, but I found another source for my brownie batter--one that doesn't include the risk of salmonella. This dip is delicious, perfectly satisfies my craving for brownie batter, and is great to share! (In fact, this dip should be shared. It would be entirely too easy to eat the whole thing in one sitting. Plan on having friends over, or taking this to work or a party!)

This dip takes only minutes to prepare, and can be served immediately! Or, you can make it and store it in the fridge until the party--the texture is great even after being refrigerated for awhile!

Printable Recipe

Brownie Batter Dip

Ingredients

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/4 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar, plus more for a stiffer consistency, if needed
• 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 5 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2-4 tablespoons milk
• Chocolate chips for garnish (optional)
• Pretzels, strawberries, graham crackers, animal crackers, apples for dipping

Directions

1. In a large mixing bowl, whip together the cream cheese and butter until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Add 2 cups powdered sugar. Mix well.
2. Add the flour, cocoa powder, brown sugar, vanilla and 2 tablespoons milk. Mix until fluffy and smooth.
3. Add additional milk, if needed, until desired consistency is reached. (Should be easy to dip.) Garnish with chocolate chips, if desired.

Yield/Time

2 1/2 cups (20 servings of 2 tablespoons each)

10 minutes

Nutrition Facts

140/2 tablespoons *I calculate nutrition facts for reference only, this is not done scientifically

Source (for original): Mel’s Kitchen Cafe

Remember, comments are loved! What's your favorite dip recipe? 

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dip

The last few years, we've had a cookout at my Mom's house after the 4th of July parade. This year, I was really debating on what to make. Somehow, this whole holiday snuck up on me, and I didn't really have the time to make cookies, which is my usual go-to thing to bring. (The type of cookie always varies, but I'm guaranteed to bring something sweet to a family gathering!) I had planned on making watermelon bars, but since that was not a guaranteed success I wanted something else too. (And that was a good plan.... because the bars were a flop. The graham cracker crust was super soggy. Oh well, live & learn.)

I had grabbed some mini chocolate chips awhile ago at the grocery store for when I finally decided to make this cookie dip recipe I had seen, so when I was searching for something to make at the last minute I actually had them on hand! Chocolate Chip Cookie Dip with graham crackers; I thought I couldn't go wrong here!

AND, I was right! This dip is amazing! Very sweet, so I wouldn't recommend serving it with something too sweet (most cookies would be out, but it went great with graham crackers). Apples, graham crackers, nilla wafers, or some shortbread cookies would be great. (Or, just eat with a spoon. If you are serving this at a picnic/party, that would probably be frowned upon though. Given that I am 9 months pregnant I think I would've gotten away with it if I had tried, but I would not recommend that for everyone.) 

(Sorry for the shaded picture.... realized once the picnic 

started that I didn't have a picture of this yet!)

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dip

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
• Apples, graham crackers, nilla wafers, shortbread cookies, etc.

Directions

1. In a small saucepan melt the butter over medium-low heat. Slowly mix in the brown sugar, stirring until dissolved. Remove from heat and add vanilla. Let cool.
2. Meanwhile, cream together cream cheese and sugar. Beat on high for 2-3 minutes. Slowly add in the cooled butter mixture; mix on high for another minute. Mix in chocolate chips.
3. Put in small bowl; refrigerate until set. (I made this before the parade, and left it in the fridge til we ate, and that was a few hours later. I really have no idea how long it takes to set. I would guess that you could serve it within 1/2 hour or so, but plan on enough time to let it set/cool for awhile the first time you make it.)
4. Serve with graham crackers, apples, nilla wafers, shortbread cookies, etc.

Yield/Time

10 servings

15 minutes + set time

Source (for original): Your Homebased Mom