Quick & Easy Homemade Low Carb Chicken Nuggets

 

My family loves a good chicken nugget.  They happen to be one of the 7 things my picky 5 year old will actually eat, so I'm always looking for easy, quick, and healthy alternatives.  I've tried all kinds of low carb options such as almond flour and making my own breadcrumbs from low carb bread.  We stumbled across Porq Italian Herb Panko Crumbs at the store by accident and were intrigued.  Despite their name, they are not breadcrumbs at all - they're made from pork rinds!  We liked the fact that they have zero carbs per serving and are low in calories.  I was, however, hesitant that that they would have that weird pork rind aftertaste.  Even so, we decided to give them a try, and we are glad we did.  They have that lovely crispy panko consistency and great flavor.  You'd never know they were made with pork rinds.  Our chicken nuggets turned out delicious!  This is now my favorite way to make them.  Score!  These can be cooked in the air fryer if you'd prefer to use less oil.  375 degrees for about 10-12 minutes, turning once halfway through.

Ingredients:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/2 c Porq Italian Herb Panko Crumbs
1 tbsp Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste
Avocado oil, for pan frying 

Directions:

Flatted the chicken to 1/4-inch thickness and cut into desired nugget sizes.  Combine the Italian crumbs, parmesan, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a gallon storage bag.  Add the chicken pieces and shake to coat evenly.  

In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.  Add the chicken and cook for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until cooked through and golden crispy.  

Drain on paper towels.  Season with salt and pepper, to taste.  

Enjoy!  

Instant Pot Tuscan Chicken

I've been busy recently preparing for when our little bundle of joy arrives.  I'm currently at 38 weeks and growing larger and larger more and more impatient to meet our little guy!  In the meantime, I've been making lots and lots of freezer meals (recipes to come) and have also been playing around a lot with my Instant Pot.  

Baked Cheesy Pesto Chicken

In a few days, I'm going to hit the halfway point of my pregnancy, and I have been having some serious cravings!  Mostly good things like apples and grapes... some not-so-good things like chocolate milkshakes and fries.  Another weakness of mine recently has been pesto.  I could seriously slather that stuff on anything!  I decided to make a baked pesto chicken for dinner tonight and add some cheese and tomato freshly picked from my garden.  Oh, my goodness, was this fantastic!  If you're a pesto lover, this is a must make!  

Baked Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Macaroni and Cheese

The Christmas tree is up, our coal stove is roaring, and my Pandora Christmas jazz station is softly serenading us.  This is the time of year when I most relate to the hibernating bear... not the sleeping part; the part where he doesn't leave his den.  No, I'm not depressed... it's just that after we deck our halls, our den is at its coziest, and I hate to have to venture into the cold, dark-too-early places on the other side of my walls.  A simple reality check reveals that our schedule has us out every night of the week.  A girl can dream, can't she? 

This time of year, I also find myself using my oven a lot more than usual.  We had this Baked Chicken, Bacon & Ranch Macaroni and Cheese last night, and it really is amazing.  I mean, can you really go wrong with these ingredients?!  I couldn't wait until lunch today to have it leftover, and it was just as good!  Give it a try; you won't be disappointed!

A crisp salad, garlic bread, and steamed vegetables are perfect complements to this dish!

Skinny Chicken & Shrimp with Quinoa and Vegetables

No interesting story behind this dish -- just another weeknight meal that I'd like to share.  It earned an "excellent" rating from my family.  It's healthy, delicious, and you'll find yourself coming back for more... and more!  

Hasselback Chicken Cordon Bleu

Since we're still in the process of getting established in our new home, I've been sticking to quick-and-easy meals for dinner.  Hasselback chicken is a concept that I came up with after getting very frustrated with all the butterflying, pounding, rolling, stuffing, and fastening of chicken breasts for stuffed chicken.  It's seriously easy to make.  My favorite thing about it is that you can easily control the chicken-to-other-ingredients ratio.  The first time I tried it, I made a Cajun chicken with pepper jack cheese and spinach, and it was amazing.  Check it out here.  This time, I had some leftover deli ham that I had to use up, so I decided to make a Cordon bleu.  The results?  My family raved over it. 

Speaking of our new home, we're making progress!  Unpacking has had its ups and downs, but we've been getting through it at a pretty steady pace.  Just 37 a few more boxes to go through in the basement, and we'll be all settled in!  Along with a new house comes the excitement of exploring new local destinations.  I have 4 grocery stores (that I'm aware of so far) within 1 mile of my house, which will make it much easier for me to shop sales.  I also still haven't had the time to set up a food blogging station, so, once again, these photos were taken at my bay window.

Quinoa & Chicken Fried "Rice" -- and the reason for my hiatus

What's with my two-and-a-half month hiatus from food blogging?  I've had a very good reason.  We just bought and moved into a new house!  I'm surprised at how quickly this place has felt like home to us.  It is taking me some time, however, to adjust to a new kitchen.  I still haven't had time to set up a food blogging station at my new house, so I ended up taking this photo on the windowsill of my bay window.  Not too bad!  I'm so happy that I can finally food blog again.  I've missed it! 

Even though we're settled in, there are still boxes that haven't been unpacked yet.  Last night, we were craving Chinese food for dinner, so I started gathering ingredients to make fried rice.  I couldn't find my rice anywhere, so I decided to use quinoa instead.  I love how quinoa takes on the flavor of whatever ingredients you cook with it.  Easy to make, delicious and healthy! 

Skinny Tuscan Chicken over Summer Squash "Noodles"

Unseasonably cold weather got you down?  This lightened-up Tuscan chicken is sure to incite thoughts of spring!  It's light, healthy, and full of flavor but without all the carbs.  Boiled summer squash is used in place of pasta and paired with a delicious, creamy, veggie-packed topping spooned over juicy, herbed chicken. 

Baked Sweet & Spicy Cajun Chicken Drumsticks

Let's not talk about how long it's been since I've shared a recipe.  The wheels in the kitchen have certainly been turning, but my motivation wheels for blogging... not so much.  Don't get me wrong, food blogging is one of my biggest passions.  It's just that I've been spread so thin with lots of "things" over the past few months.  I'm not complaining, though.  I wouldn't change a thing about the life that God has blessed me with. 

Now on to the food - my favorite part!  I don't know about you, but I've had enough of this cold weather!  Uncle!  I've recently been craving picnic foods like potato salad, corn on the cob, drumsticks, etc.  Since it's not quite grilling season yet, I decided to bake some drumsticks in a delicious honey and Cajun seasoning sauce.  You have to try these!  They're juicy, sweet, spicy, Cajun-y (yes, I made that word up), sticky, and they fall right off the bone! 

Skillet Balsamic Chicken & Rotini

Happy Friday!  Here is another quick and easy weeknight meal to add to your rotation.  It's a skillet version of my Crock Pot Balsamic Chicken over Pasta.  There is a lovely hint of sweet and tangy flavor, but it's not overpowering.  I served this with some freshly steamed broccoli.

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Hands down, my favorite part about the super bowl is the naughty food.  Well, unless the Eagles are playing - then it's a whole other story!  Last year, my little sous chef discovered the puppy bowl, which was thee perfect distraction for her while we were watching the big game.  This year, it's the kitten bowl that she's amped up about.  I have to admit - my inner creepy cat lady will claw its way out, and I know I'll be sneaking away to watch it with her quite frequently.  The kittens are seriously adorable.  And the names that they come up with are so cute.  Richard Purrman anyone?  Hilarious!  Okay.  Enough about cats.  You have to try this easy appetizer.  It's so delicious and perfect for your Super Bowl festivities. 

Baked Parmesan & Almond Crusted Chicken

I didn't intend on blogging about this originally, but my husband encouraged me to dust off the camera for it.  It really is delicious!  Instead of using panko or breakcrumb, I toss almonds into the food processor (and sometimes pistachios!) until they are breadcrumb size, and then I mix in Parmesan and other delicious spices for the coating.  The chicken always comes out tender and juicy, and the Parmesan and almond crust is amazing!  I served mine with smashed potatoes, green beans, and a creamy dill dipping sauce.

Spaghetti Squash, Chicken & Broccoli Soup with Cinnamon

Nothing satisfies the soul on a cold autumn day quite like a warm bowl of homemade soup.  This is a delicious lightened up version of chicken and broccoli soup that is both hearty and healthy.  Instead of using pasta or rice, I added roasted spaghetti squash.  What really puts this over the top, though, is the delicate touch of cinnamon.  It really is a fantastic fall soup that will please even the pickiest of palates!  

Bruschetta Chicken

Tomatoes are in season!  There's nothing quite as delicious as a ripe, freshly picked tomato, and I had some lovely organic ones that I wanted to use with dinner.  I decided to make one of my family's favorite meals, bruschetta chicken.  The chicken is incredibly juicy, and the bruschetta topping is light and delicious - a fresh taste of summer!  It's made on the stove top, so you don't have to heat up the oven, and ready in under 30 minutes.  It's the perfect summer meal! 

We've been trying to use organic foods whenever possible. I've used organic ingredients many times in my cooking, but this is one of the first meals that I've made using nothing but organic ingredients.  Switching to cooking with only organic ingredients isn't as easy as I thought it would be.  You have to remember everything right down to the cooking oil that you use.  While I was prepping my ingredients, I realized that I had forgotten to purchase bread crumbs.  Thankfully, I had a loaf of organic, 100% whole wheat bread, so I decided make the bread crumbs myself.  They turned out fantastic!   

Note about homemade bread crumbs:  You can store the bread crumbs at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.  You can also freeze the bread crumbs.  To freeze, do not bake them first.  Simply place them in an airtight container and freeze.  When you are ready to use them, allow them to thaw, and then bake them.  

Moroccan Hummus & Pine Nut Crusted Chicken

We have quite the weakness for hummus.  It's a staple in our house, and it's pretty simple to make at home.  Simply process garbanzo beans (chickpeas), tahini, garlic, and olive oil in a food processor until creamy.  You can add cumin, paprika, and/or lemon juice if desired, too.  Hummus is great as a substitute for butter, dips, dressings, and mayonnaise because it's super flavorful and creamy, it's lower in calories (comparatively speaking), and it's packed with lots of vitamins and nutrients.  

I decided to incorporate hummus into a Moroccan-style chicken dish for dinner last night.  The chicken breasts were slathered in creamy hummus, seasoned with Moroccan spices, and baked in a delightful pine nut crust.  Healthy, flavorful and delicious!  I served this over smoked paprika & garlic rice.

NY Strip Steak & Chicken Stir Fry with Jasmine Rice

Here's another goodie that's going on the "My Favorite Recipes" page!  My little sous chef closed her eyes and said, "Mm!  Oh, this is good!  *chomp*  Mm!  *smack*  I want to eat this every day!"  My husband pounded his fist on the table and shouted, "This is darn good!  We need to have this once a week!"  Not gonna lie - that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.  Believe it or not, this was the first time that it occurred to me to use my griddle to stir fry on.  I've stir fried in a wok and in a large skillet before with ease, but stir frying on the griddle offers so much more cooking surface.  Yes, it can make a big ol' mess in the kitchen if you're not careful, but let me tell you - it's so worth it!  The steak and chicken are sinfully succulent and the fried jasmine rice with veggies is amazingly delicious.  Make sure you leave enough for leftovers... it's even better!  

Note:  I find that using two spatulas while cooking the fried rice helps to keep the mess to a minimum.  

Rotelli with Chicken & Asparagus in Tomato Cream Sauce

Busy day?  Mine certainly has been!  We all need at least a few go-to recipes in our repertoire that are quick and easy but satisfying and delicious at the same time.  This is one of those meals.  Here's to a delicious meal at the end of a crazy day that can be ready in under 30 minutes!  

Chicken Scallopini with Saffron Cream Sauce

Saffron and pine nuts.  Two ingredients that I love but really have a hard time bringing myself to purchase without feeling guilty because of the sheer cost.  Oh, but there's nothing quite as delicious as a fresh batch of basil pesto with pine nuts slathered on a crispy cracker.  Try to imagine my joy and surprise as I unwrapped a pretty little bottle of saffron from my stocking last Christmas.  I sure landed myself a thoughtful husband!  

I decided to use some of my lovely saffron in a cream sauce and serve it over chicken and pasta.  The chicken is so tender and juicy.  Pour that dreamy, delicious saffron cream sauce on top and it's just over-the-top Ahh-mazing!  It's so easy, and it's perfect for a weeknight meal.  I also poured some of that velvety sauce over pasta and served it with steamed broccoli.  This is definitely one of my favorites!

Step-By-Step Chicken & Vegetable Soup From Scratch

In my last few blog posts, I touched on how and why we are spring cleaning both our diet and our budget.  We have rotisserie chicken about once a week for dinner, and I usually end up using the leftover chicken in another meal that week.  This time, I wanted to try to stretch out the leftover rotisserie chicken to make two additional meals.  I used 1 cup of the leftover chicken to make a yummy Chicken Parmigiana Pasta Casserole, which was not only easy, but it was so incredibly delicious!  The second meal I made from the leftover rotisserie chicken was this chicken and vegetable soup using the carcass and skin to make a homemade broth.  My family raved over this soup!  That stinking rotisserie chicken was used to feed my family three separate meals!  Talk about saving money!  

Here's how I did it.  

Chicken Parmigiana Pasta Casserole

Along with spring cleaning our diets, we've been working hard at spring cleaning our budget.  We'll be moving to a new house next year, God willing, so cutting corners with spending has definitely been a priority.  We've worked hard to maintain a debt-free life, so one of the most logical ways for us to cut corners in our budget is (please hold for a second while I cover CookingCreation.com's ears) in the food department.  *gulp*  I really, really, really love to splurge at the grocery store, so this takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice on my part.  Challenge on!

On average, we enjoy a rotisserie chicken about once every week or so for dinner.  It's so delicious on its own for a meal, but I love that I always end up having leftover chicken to use in a meal another night that week.  It definitely saves me both time and money.  I wanted to try to stretch out the leftover chicken even more and make two additional meals out of it.  First, I made a yummy Chicken & Vegetable Soup from scratch using the chicken carcass and skin to make a homemade broth (step-by-step recipe to come!).  That was delicious!  I also took 1 cup of the remaining chicken to make a second meal, this Chicken Parmigiana Pasta Casserole.  It's so easy to make and so flavorful!