Cheese Cracker Crusted Chicken

This recipe is a great way to get your kiddos to try new foods by incorporating a familiar flavor!  If your children are like mine, cheese crackers are a constant staple in the pantry.  Goldfish, Cheez-Its, Cheese Nips… all are a favorite snack for my boys!  And they make a delicious breadcrumb crust for chicken cutlets.  If chicken breasts are more your thing, slice them in half lengthwise to create thinner cutlets, then pound and prep as directed.  Throw a cup of cheese crackers into your blender for 20-30 seconds to grind them to the consistency of fine breadcrumbs.  It will create an orange-hued, crispy breading that is full of flavor while keeping the chicken moist and tender!

Picky Eater?

This is a great recipe to try for a kid who loves chicken nuggets or for a kid who really likes cheese crackers. Trying to increase variety for your kids, may sometimes look like presenting foods they already like in slightly different ways. Show your child that you are taking the cheese crackers and making them into crumbs. Ask your child to help. Cooking with foods your child is familiar with and involving them can help encourage them to be more open to trying new foods.

Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup cheese crackers (Goldfish, Cheez-Its, Cheese Nips)
  • ¼ cup plain greek yogurt, sour cream or mayonnaise
  • Pinch of salt and pepper

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Pat chicken (about 4 pieces) dry with paper towels. Working with 1 piece at a time, place chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, rolling pin, or heavy skillet, pound to ¼” thick. Season all over with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Pour 1 cup of your kids’ favorite cheese crackers into the blender and pulse for 20-30 seconds or until the consistency of sand.
  4. In a large bowl, combine chicken with ¼ cup plain greek yogurt, sour cream or mayonnaise.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Toss to coat.
  5. Working one at a time, dredge each chicken piece in the cracker mixture, pressing to adhere. Transfer to a parchment lined baking sheet. 
  6. Bake at 425 for 20-25 minutes.

Pair this kid friendly protein with your favorite vegetables and grains or starchy vegetables for a balanced and filling meal your little one.

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