Make your Own Chicken Nuggets/Strips! Woot Woot!

Now that you know what a majority of store bought chicken nuggets are made of... (if you didn't see my previous post..check it out HERE and watch the 2nd video on how/what processed chicken nuggets are made...)

After watching it...I'm guessing, you're going to want a different option?!  My alternative is to make my own.   I buy a jumbo pack or two of chicken breasts, cut them up into nuggets or strips, cook them and store them in the fridge or freezer for the week.  (I make them once a week but could make them and stock them up in the freezer if I needed to..they reheat great after being frozen).

For a crunchier crust..you can add a tablespoon or 2 of cornstarch to the flour mixture...but that's totally a preference thing and they'd be fine without.

My Recipe- (this is approx. because I don't actually measure stuff out unless I'm baking.)
8 chicken breasts cubed or cut in strips
2 cups all purpose flour
1 pkg Italian salad dressing seasoning
2 tbsp corn starch
2 eggs with a splash of milk
salt , pepper to taste

Dry Ingredients-
Mix flour, Italian seasoning mix and corn starch in a shallow bowl set aside.
Whisk Eggs, Milk , salt n pepper in a shallow bowl.
Place a handful of cubed or strips of chicken in flour...coat lightly then place in egg mixture.
After all chicken has been in flour then egg...start putting chicken pieces back into flour mixture for second/final breading.  AS you bread these place on a cooking sheet ..with the bottom of the cookie sheet lightly covered with flour.

Place Frying pan on the stove (cast iron is the best in my opinion but you can fry them in any type of pan)  fill about 1/2 full with oil and turn heat to med. high.  Cook chicken in batches for about 6 to 8 minutes each. (breading will be golden brown)   Or you can bake if you prefer...400 degree oven for about 15 to 20 min.

There are so many ways you can season these differently than using the Italian Season mix...or the egg mixture even..

Options..
replace Italian packet with Ranch seasoning packet
Use any of your favorite seasonings to replace Italian packet


Instead of egg... baste chicken with
honey mustard or blue cheese dressing or ranch dressing, Italian dressing, Caesar dressing... if you baste it with any of these you would skip the first flour dredge and just dredge through flour after basting.

To the flour mixture..you can also add..Bisquick or breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, crushed cornflakes. etc...

some people like to add a touch of sugar to their flour mixture...this is a nice addition and is very tasty but one that I do not use often.

For more Great chicken breading options  check out these sites:
Paula Deen Chicken Nuggets
The Pioneer Woman Chicken Strips
Go to All Recipes and search Chicken nuggets for a lot of options

Cassidy over at Food Prude had some great options as well..find them HERE

Please share any recipes, websites, ideas you have on how to make foods that our kids will love and that can be easy, convenient and a healthy alternative to processed foods.