Making Homemade Food Convenient: Chicken Nuggets

Saying goodbye to frozen chicken nuggets was something else Sydney had to do when we changed our eating ways.  {Note to fellow parents: It's much easier if you start your kids out in life not eating nasty junk.  They don't like it when you realize how bad it is and take it away from them.}  But I promised her I'd make her real chicken nuggets any time she wanted them.  {Another note to fellow parents: Don't make promises that are going to require you to be a slave to the kitchen.}  So, I started making real chicken nuggets and freezing them.  Yay!  Convenience foods are very important to a busy family's life.  Now I can heat up chicken nuggets for the kids any time they want them.  Or any time I don't want to cook & just want cereal for dinner! 

First, make your own breadcrumbs.  Just put bread & some seasoning in a food processor until the bread crumbs are very fine. 

I like to use this seasoning.

I make a big batch of bread crumbs & store in a container in the refrigerator. 

To make the nuggets:  Pre-heat oven to 350.  Cut boneless, skinless chicken breasts into bite size nuggets.  {I use local, free range chicken from my farmer's market.}  Cover the nuggets in breadcrumbs & place on greased cookie sheet.  Bake for about 25 - 30 minutes, until cooked through. 

To freeze:

After the nuggets are fully cooked, let them cool completely.  Then put in a freezer bag & freeze.

When you're ready to heat some, just take out the amount you want & cook on a cookie sheet at 400 for about 15 minutes.  You could also heat them in the microwave, but I like the oven for the crispiness.

Sydney loves these so much, we have nicknamed them "Sydney's chicken".  They are great served with some homemade french fries.  I also like to add them to spaghetti for a quick chicken parmesan alternative.

Baked French Fries
Cut up a few potatoes in long 1/4 inch strips
Toss with some extra virgin olive oil & your favorite seasoning (I like Krazy Mixed Up Salt or just salt, pepper & parsley)
Bake on cookie sheet at 400 for 25 - 30 minutes

Or

Cook In Oil On Stove Top
Cut up a few potatoes in long 1/4 inch strips
Heat vegetable oil in cast iron skillet on med to high heat
To test that oil is hot enough, put a drop of water in & see if it sizzles
Drop in enough potatoes to cover the surface & cook until brown, flipping them halfway through
Remove when golden & lay in paper towel lined dish
Sprinkle with salt & garlic salt while still hot