Kids Choice: Fried Chicken

Are your kids like my kids?

They love vegetables, and sure they really do love great food, in general.  But the second they see that fast food sign, everything they knew about real food vanishes from their reality.   The ever alluring promise of the “happiest” meal they’ve ever experienced accompanies the smell of french fries and hamburgers.  It immediately turns them into fast food zombies (meaning instead of brains, they request chicken nuggets).

Honestly, I’m not that strict about it.   I fear the backlash if I ever told them they weren’t allowed to have something, so the only “strict rule” we follow is moderation with all things (including moderation on occasion).   However, this chicken is at the top of my kids list of all time favorites.  It is the only chicken that I can make that will always trump the fast food industry that occasionally enslaves their senses.

In the first few years of motherhood, I tried those baked chicken tender recipes and they just weren’t cutting it for the boys.   They wanted the hard stuff on occasion.   I can’t blame them.  Fried stuff tastes good when done properly.   Not greasy minced up pieces of processed chicken and fillers deep fried and dunked in an excess of sugary sauce.   No, these are crispy and crunchy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside.

They’re a hit with the kids…and grown ups, honestly.  If ever you have a picky eater on your hands, this is the recipe to go for.  Paula knows what’s up , so I originally went to her to find out what the method is.   This recipe is based on hers, even though it’s a bit different.

I hope you enjoy it as the people around me do.   This dish gets the most compliments from the little ones.  Even Trey said they don’t even need ketchup.  That’s a great compliment coming from a five year old; I will gladly accept.    This meal is nice for me as well because it’s so easy, I can just throw some black beans and corn and a simple salad on the side and I am done.

They’ll be so thankful they’ll do the dishes with a big smile on their faces that says, “Thanks for the fried chicken, Mom.  You’re the greatest!”.   It happens when I make this for dinner… every single time, I swear.    I never question it, honestly, I just put my feet up and declare kid-loved-fried-chicken victory.    Not bad considering I’m a vegetarian and all.

 Kids Choice: Fried Chicken

• Peanut oil for frying
• 1 1/2 cups self rising flour
• 1 pound organic thin sliced chicken breast
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tablespoon hot sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt + more for chicken
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper + more for chicken
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder + more for chicken
• 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

Bring chicken breasts to room temperature, lightly sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic powder on all sides.   In a mixing bowl, add flour.  Dredge seasoned chicken in the flour and set aside.  Whisk eggs in a mixing bowl and add hot sauce, ketchup, lemon juice and mustard.  Drop dredged chicken into the egg mixture.   To the remaining flour used for dredging, add seasoned breadcrumbs with half a teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon pepper and a quarter teaspoon of garlic powder and stir to combine.   Drop the chicken from the egg mixture into the seasoned flour and breadcrumb mixture and then into preheated oil.   Fry for about six minutes, or until golden brown, then remove from oil and drain on paper towel lined plates and rest for 3 minutes before eating.

Adapted from Paula Deen: Paula’s Home Cooking