Homemade Chicken Tenders

I saw a recipe for chicken tenders using panko bread crumbs (Japanese style bread crumbs) and I decided to do my own version a few nights ago.  I needed something that was quick because Ben was working late, Easton wanted to be held and Kinnley was hungry.  I had bought a box of panko bread crumbs for the Mini Meatball recipe, so I had some left over and decided to go with that.

I took a good helping of the bread crumbs and added Lowery's Season Salt, garlic powder, and pepper.  I then coated chicken tenders in Ranch Dressing, rolled them in the bread crumbs and seasoning and placed them on a foil lined baking sheet.  I baked them at 350 degrees for 15 - 20 minutes.  Bake them until the chicken is done and the outside is becoming crispy.

I got the thumbs up from Ben & Kinnley.  I thought they turned out pretty good too.  The recipe I saw called for the tenders to be coated in Buffalo Wings sauce, but I'm not a big fan of the spicy, so I decided to go with Ranch.  Once you bake the tenders, you can quick freeze them and put them in a zip lock baggy to have quick dinners or lunches in the quantity you need at later times.  I think the next time I use this, I may cut the tender into more of a nugget size and make extras so I can freeze, instead of buying frozen nuggets from the store.  As you can see I didn't use any type of measurements, so it's very customizable.  I might try coating the nuggets/tenders in BBQ sauce next time, just to see if it is as good.

It's cold and rainy here at our house, and Easton has been running a low grade temp since yesterday morning. 

Poor baby...fell asleep with a death grip on his toy (he's learned that when he's asleep sister swoops in & takes what she wants)

He has no other 'symptoms' for me to try to figure out why.  This is definately one of those times that I wish they had a little scrolling screen on their back, toosh, or anywhere that would tell you what's wrong.  Or, maybe an instruction book, that would help.  I guess that wouldn't be as much fun if you had all the answers, huh.  Maybe I'll write an instruction book for kids one day...there's an idea. Anyways, Kinnley went to church with Nana, Ben is at work again (his last day of was last Sunday and they are still a long ways away from having all the power lines fixed from the wildfires), which leaves me and the little man to snuggle on the couch.  Ok, I'll be honest, it didn't take a lot of arm twisting to get me to decide that.  I could get so much done without Kinnley here (she's the best at undoing what I've done...little stink is fast at it too). 

On a sidenote - we are guilty of having watched the royal wedding Friday, and Kinnley, who loves all the Disney princess, came up with her own princess name. 

I would like to introduce to you Princess McKinnley Stinkerbell (Stinkerbell comes from our babysitter's helper who Kinnley loves to death).

Enjoy!