Tasty Chicken Bites

Note/Suggestions: This recipe can be doubled or tripled and kept frozen for 3-6 months.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and cut into 2-3 bite pieces
• 3 cups fresh breadcrumbs*
• 3 T Poultry Seasoning
• 1 cup safflower oil or other vegetable oil

Equipment:

• two cookie sheets or freezer safe tray
• tin foil or parchment paper or professional baking mat
• whisk
• one platter
• two shallow vessels: one large, one medium

Directions:

1. Line a cookie sheet or freezer safe tray with tin foil.
2. Set up three stations: 1.) platter of prepared chicken; 2.) medium-sized shallow vessel for oil; 3.) large shallow vessel for breadcrumbs.*
3. Using a whisk, mix together the breadcrumbs with chicken seasoning
4. Take chicken pieces in batches of 3-4 pieces at a time, and dip into oil, then coat both sides and edges with breadcrumbs. Press breadcrumbs onto chicken, firmly alternating sides.
5. Place chicken pieces on the prepared tray in a single layer. Continue process until all chicken is coated.
6. Cover trays with plastic wrap and place in freezer overnight.
7. When chicken pieces are frozen, place into a labeled freezer bag and return to the freezer for use in the future.
8. To cook: Remove the amount you want to cook (2-3 per child) and cook on a cookie sheet (with parchment paper, a professional baking mat or sprayed with cooking spray) at 350F for about 20 minutes. For a crunchier coating, flip the pieces over about half way through the cooking process.

Note: Cook these the night before and send them to school cold, with carrots sticks, an apple and a piece of cheese.

Tip: Fresh breadcrumbs allow you to choose what ingredients go into your dish. Choose healthy whole grain breads. If you are allergic to wheat, choose potato bread or alternative bread. Fill food processor with bread, crust and all. Process until bread is reduced to small crumbs. Empty bowl and continue with more bread. . I do this with a whole loaf of bread and put the unused, unseasoned crumbs in a resealable bag then into the freezer. It only takes a few minutes to do.