(Family Features) With everyone heading back to school, there’s always more to do and less time to do it in. Take the stress out of dinnertime with time-saving recipes that make meal times easier.
This recipe for Crunchy Onion Chicken scores high marks with both kids and adults. It uses crushed French Fried Onions as a delicious coating for boneless, skinless chicken. The best news for Mom is that it uses only four ingredients and takes less than thirty minutes to cook. The secret is in the coating which adds flavor and crunch while locking in foods’ natural flavor and moisture.
The concept lends itself to other great meal time solutions, too. Crushed French Fried Onions can also be used as a coating for a variety of other ingredients in addition to chicken, such as pork, fish and vegetables. This simple coating technique is so easy, you can engage your kids in the process. Cooking makes a great learning experience, using measuring to teach math and reviewing the recipe as an opportunity to encourage reading.
The basic recipe for Crunchy Onion Chicken becomes Mexican Chicken with the simple addition of chili powder and chopped fresh cilantro or Thai chicken by adding toasted coconut and fresh basil to the coating mix.
For more great recipes and cooking tips from the test kitchen at French’s, please visit www.frenchsfoods.com.
Crunchy Onion Chicken Tenders
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Makes 4 servings
2 cups (4 oz.) French’s® Original or Cheddar French Fried Onions
2 tbsp. flour
1 lb. chicken tenders
1 large egg, beaten
Crush French Fried Onions with flour in plastic bag.
Dip chicken tenders into egg; coat in onion crumbs.
Bake 15 min. at 400 ºF until chicken is cooked.
Tips: If chicken tenders are not available, substitute boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch wide strips.
Kids love to dip chicken tenders in honey mustard, ketchup, ranch or barbecue sauce.
Quick and Crispy Mac and Cheese
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Makes 4 to 6 servings
1 1/3 cups (2.8 ounces) French’s Cheddar or Original French Fried Onions
1 10 3/4-ounce can condensed cream of celery soup
1 1/4 cups milk
3 cups cooked elbow pasta (1 1/2 cups uncooked)
2 cups shredded cheddar or cubed American cheese
1 cup diced cooked ham
1/2 cup frozen peas
Heat oven to 350°F. Crush French Fried Onions in plastic bag using hands or rolling pin.
Mix soup and milk in 2-quart baking dish. Stir in pasta, cheese, ham and peas. Top with crushed onions.
Bake 30 minutes or until heated through.
