Thursday, November 20, 2008

Craving Ellie in my Belly- Oven Fried Chicken


Today is a busy posting day. I've got Craving Ellie, Barefoot Bloggers, and The Cake Slice. I didn't want to smoosh it all into one post, so I am taking it a day at a time. Ellie today, Barefoot Bonus tomorrow, and The Cake Slice on Saturday- I am using that cake for my baby's birthday this weekend (her birthday is on Thanksgiving, but I don't know if a can do birthday and major holiday all in one?)
This week's Craving Ellie in my Belly recipe was Oven Fried Chicken, chosen by MacDuff over at Lonely Sidecar. I was supposed to use bone-in chicken breasts and thighs without skin, but I decided on boneless, skinless breasts because I knew they would bake up faster and because I couldn't find any breasts that were skinless but bone-in. I left out the cayenne pepper alltogether because a few people mentioned it added too much of a kick, and I do want my children to be able to eat their dinner. So I only had to bake these for about 30 minutes and they were done. I plated them with some fresh thyme because it is so pretty when it flowers and I love the smell. Don't be misleaded though, there is absolutely no thyme in this recipe! We loved this chicken- I will make it in the future!
I borrowed the book we are cooking through, The Food You Crave, this summer from my local library and chose the 4 most delicious looking recipes and made them before I returned the book. Here are my top picks and the posts from this book at first glance-Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin Dressing, Peach French Toast Bake, Fried Rice with Scallions, Edamame and Tofu, and Watermelon, Lime and Mint Granita. Get a copy of this book, you won't regret it!

OVEN FRIED CHICKEN, from Ellie Krieger's "The Foods You Crave"
Ingredients
1/2 sleeve (about 20) whole-grain salted crackers, pulsed in a food processor until fine (about 1/2 cup)
2 1/2 cups corn cereal flakes, pulsed in a food processor to fine crumbs (about 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
3/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I omitted this)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 egg whites (I used 1 egg)
1 cup lowfat, plain yogurt (I used fat free)
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
Olive oil cooking spray
4 medium sized skinless chicken breasts and 4 skinless chicken thighs, rinsed and patted dry (about 3 1/2 pounds chicken)
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly spray a baking sheet with olive oil. Combine the crackers and corn cereal crumbs, sesame seeds, cayenne, and garlic powder in a shallow bowl. Reserve. In a large bowl, combine egg whites, yogurt, Dijon mustard, and salt. Add the chicken pieces and coat thoroughly with the yogurt mixture.
One at a time, dip the chicken pieces in the cracker mixture, packing crumbs onto chicken. Arrange the chicken on a baking sheet and spray lightly with olive oil cooking spray. Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until juices run clear when chicken is pierced with a knife.

Coming Tomorrow- Barefoot Bloggers Bonus- Chive Risotto Cakes and Mini Orange Chocolate Chunk Cakes + TWD Rice Pudding redo!

17 comments:

  1. I am so glad that you liked this chicken, Mary Ann! David and I loved it, and I think the kids will like it with a little less cayenne! I am SO glad to hear that you are posting Barefoot tomorrow. I did not make them, but I'm filled with regret today because they both look absolutely delicious -- so I think I might get busy, make them tonight, and post with you tomorrow!

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  2. Wow you are a busy blogging girl! I wanted to join The Cake Slice but I just had too many other sweet groups and I need to cut back but seeing all the cakes today is making me regret (a little). I used boneless skinless breast too. It was good! Didn't miss the bone one bit. HAHA. That peach french toast sounds delish. Might need to make that this weekend! Glad you enjoyed the recipe!
    Clara @ iheartfood4thought

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  3. The chicken looks great! My son's birthday is on Thanksgiving also.

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  4. All very yummy! This chicken looks great. Although my favorite line was, "I borrowed from my library..." :) Yeah library!

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  5. I'm so happy you liked it!!! We loved it too. Your pics are gorgeous. I've been craving edamame for a while now, so I'm going to try your rice recipe. Thank you!

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  6. yummy, this chicken looks sooo good! i love anything that involves chicken!

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  7. You managed to make beautiful photos of your chicken. I'm so jealous. I wasn't very creative with my camera last night. But wasn't this good chicken? I used the boneless breasts too. I'm going to love being in this group. I love already that it is small enough that I can read everyone's blogs!

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  8. Hey! I'm going to join this group...I don't watch alot of her shows but keep hearing how great her cookbook is. And like you, I like my food healthy and delish!

    The chicken looks great!

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  9. Wow, you've been really busy!! And here I was thinkin there weren't enough hours in a day....

    I loved the chicken, yours looks delicious!!

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  10. I love oven baked chicken and I'm a big fan of Ellie's cookbooks. Didn't realize there was a little Ellie cooking group going on. So cool!

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  11. Your photos make my chicken look unappetizing. And I will have to check back tomorrow for the chive risotto cake recipe!

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  12. Don't you love it when all of the posts are due on the same day, lol? How are we to keep up?

    Those look absolutely perfect... yummy too! Nice work :)

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  13. Your pictures look so good. I am looking forward to your risotto recipe as well. I have lots of leftover risotto rice.

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  14. We loved it in our house too! Your pictures are lovely!

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  15. Beautiful photos. I did buy this book, on the recommendation of bloggers like you.
    These look like a real family pleaser.

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  16. I think this might be my favorite so far! Yum!

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  17. I understand the multiple post days! I'm finally catching up on commenting! Your chicken looks delicious! Great job!

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Thank you for taking the time to make a comment on my blog! I appreciate you checking out my creations and leaving your thoughts. I will try to get back to you, through comments here or by visiting your blog. Thanks again!
Mary Ann