Baked Chicken Fingers & Homemade Mac and Cheese You're Welcome!

Baked Chicken Fingers & Homemade Mac and Cheese You’re Welcome!

Since our weather here in Vegas has cooled off a bit (like cooled off from *118 to a balmy *105) I decided it might be OK to hop off the grill and crank on the oven. And, since you all may think every recipe we post around here must include booze, I’m ’bout to show you they don’t. So there. 2 of Ethan’s favorite foods are Baked Chicken Fingers and Homemade Mac and Cheese. When I was asked to give these new Green Giant Veggie Snack Chips the once over, I thought it was the perfect time to pop up some non-boozey recipes and give him a few smiles for dinner. I know! Best parent ever status right there! Killing 2 birds, 1 stone!

Baked Chicken Fingers Recipe:

The fine folks over at Green Giant sent me 2 flavors of their Veggie Chips, the 1st being Multigrain Sweet Potato Chips (Barbecue Flavor) Ethan thinks these are amazing. He’s on a sweet potato chip kick, so it was perfect timing for them to arrive. And, also what I chose to use for the baked chicken fingers. He’s going to dip them in some BBQ sauce anyways, right? Even though chips are ‘flavored’ you’ll still want to add the extra seasonings into your baked chicken fingers crust mix. Trust me, totally needs it!

For the Chicken Fingers:

1 LB Chicken (cut in strips)
2 Cups Chips (crushed, smashed, pick your favorite flavor)
½ TSP Seasoned Salt
¼ TSP Crushed Black Pepper
¼ TSP Garlic Powder
¼ TSP Onion Powder
1 Egg (Large to XLarge)
¼ Cup Milk (my original recipe called for buttermilk, tried to cut a few fat/calories, milk worked perfect)

Pre-heat oven to *350. Throw those chips in a ziploc bag and crush. Let the small fry’s help. They totally dig that part! In a large shallow bowl, mix crushed chips, seasoned salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder. In a 2nd smaller shallow bowl, beat egg and mix with milk. One at a time, dip each chicken strip 1st in the egg /milk mix, then dredge through chip/seasoning mix. I dip with left hand, dredge with right so 1 hand stays dry and doesn’t get that icky, sticky, coating thing going on. Spray a baking sheet with Pam (or your fav brand of non-stick spray) Place the coated chicken strips on your baking sheet.

Homemade Mac and Cheese Recipe:

The 2nd flavor Green Giant sent over was Roasted Veggie Tortilla Chip (Garden Ranch Flavor) These were my favorite of the two. Full of flavor, no MSG. I really liked the crunch. I’m a crunchy kinda gal. What?? … Totally perfect for my Homemade Mac and Cheese too!

For the Mac and Cheese:

1 Cup Uncooked Boxed Elbow Macaroni (or, your fav shape!)
1 Cup Milk
2 TBSP Flour
½ TSP Onion Powder
Pinch of Salt
Dash of Ground Black Pepper
2 Cup Cheddar Cheese (Shredded, I used bagged)
1 Cup Chips (crushed, smashed)
2 TBSP Butter or Margarine (melted)

1st, let’s crush up those chips in a ziploc bag! Just like with the baked chicken fingers, kids dig this part. Let them help! Cook up the macaroni in boiling water. Don’t cook completely. (4-5 minutes, depending on which noodles you chose to go with) They will finish cooking once we pop them in the oven. While those are boiling, combine milk, flour, onion powder, salt and pepper in blender (Or use a hand mixer, less mess. I’m all about less mess!) Drain macaroni. In large mixing bowl add milk mixture and your shredded cheddar cheese. Stir well to combine. Pour the whole mix in over safe baking dish. I know, you’re thinking WAIT, this looks kinda soup-y… It’s fine. All liquid will be absorbed while this creamy dish of cheesy yum is baking! You trust me, right? Now, coat the top with our crushed up chips and drizzle butter/margarine over the top. Now, because I’m notorious for setting off the smoke alarm when cheesy dishes sometimes bake over, place on baking sheet before popping in the oven.

The homemade Mac and Cheese needs to bake for 45 minutes. Stick that in the oven first. Your Baked Chicken Fingers will only take 25-30 minutes. So, after 20 minutes goes by, pop them in with the mac and cheese. Both will done at the same time and ready to serve to your super happy family!

Now really, as easy as these baked chicken fingers & homemade mac and cheese is to make why would you ever buy that pre-made stuff again??! Your welcome!

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I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls Collective and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.