Chloe's Chicken Nuggets

This post is dedicated to Chloe Anne Schmidt. She died October 9, 2008 of a rare form of cancer-- alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma. Her website is:

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/chloeschmidt.

Chloe's story of love, faith, and courage are truly inspiring. She was simply an angel here on earth...so much so, that God wanted her for His heaven.

Chloe is a little girl after my own heart because she loved to cook, and her mom and grandma helped her publish a cookbook of her favorite recipes Making Miracles with Chloe. I bought a copy of the cookbook last July, and it's full of family recipes. If you'd like one of Chloe's cookbooks, email the address below to request a copy:

www.makingmiracles@yahoo.com

When Chloe died, I knew I wanted to post one of her recipes in her memory. This is classic kid's dish-- chicken nuggets. This recipe is supposed to be one of her favorites. Chloe must have been a force in the kitchen. My kids inhaled this chicken, even Christina said they were "yummy."

I made 2 little changes to the recipe. Instead of drizzling oil or butter over the chicken (just before baking), I used the butter spray--less fat and calories. I didn't have chicken breasts, but I did have chicken breast tenderloins, and used those instead. I also used panko bread crumbs instead of regular breadcrumbs... they make the chicken extra crunchy.

The whole time I was making these, I thought of sweet Chloe. I'll bet she's in the kitchen in heaven right now... whipping up something amazing. Here's to you angel girl.

Chloe's Chicken Nuggets

4 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts or 10-12 chicken breast tenderloins (use however many it takes to feed your family)

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups dry breadcrumbs or panko breadcrumbs (in the asian section of the store)

4 teaspoons sesame seeds (usually in the spice/herb aisle of the store)

1 cup all purpose flour

2 teaspoons paprika

Butter spray

Non-stick cooking spray

Spray a baking sheet with the cooking spray, set aside. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If you're using the chicken breasts, cut them crosswise into strips about 1 1/2 inches across. Set up your breading station. Combine the flour and paprika in a large bowl. Lightly beat the eggs in another bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs/panko crumbs and sesame seeds in a third bowl. Please excuse the mess on my island (we really need to go through the mail stack...).

Dredge the chicken in the flour, tap off the excess, dip into the egg wash, and then roll in the breadcrumbs, pressing firmly to coat. Lay the chicken out on the greased baking sheet. Give each strip a couple of squirts of butter spray.

Bake in the center of the oven for 15-20 minutes for chicken breast strips...chicken tenderloins will only need 8-10 minutes. You don't have to turn the over unless you want too...I didn't. I made steamed green beans and curly fries on the side.

Enjoy making these for your little angels. God bless your table tonight!