I’m a sucker for comfort foods. Okay, really I’m a sucker for kid food.
I know, I know but seriously chicken fingers, more specifically cornbread baked chicken fingers. Give.me.all.of.them. Besides it’s not too often that you hear people complain about eating perfectly crisp and golden baked chicken fingers especially when it involves honey mustard dipping sauce spiked with cranberries.
Cranberries + honey mustard? Weird or festive? Whatever it is don’t judge until you whip some up for yourself because if you ask me it is pretty darn fantastic with the extra crunchy, slightly sweet, cornbread crusted baked chicken fingers. Life is good and I must say I see a lot of these in our near future. I may even go as far as to say this is our Sunday night tradition.
The tradition being breading these bad boys and eating them straight from the piping hot pan. Not that we did that, just ate chicken fingers alone or anything. Never. I mean I always have a complete meal ->INSERT SARCASM<- but I’m just saying it would be easy and delicious and what more do you need than a boost of protein?
Okay maybe some greens but we’ll get to that in a later post. For now, it is all things breaded chicken and I’m completely okay with that.
Besides who ever complains about breaded things? What’s even better that cornbread breading comes from the sweet leftovers from this moist cornbread recipe. Nothing better than turning scrapes into an elegant (or should we say kid friendly) meal. It’s always winning when you can repurpose leftovers without ever knowing it.
Now before it gets brought to my attention why don’t we just address the elephant in the room. You thought I was a nutritionist and I’m posting such delicious yet outrageously unhealthy foods on the blog? I know, I know. While it looks like these foods are loaded with calories (who’s counting anyways) and unnecessary no-good nutrients, that is actually false.
You see I’d beg to argue that there is more to health than counting anything or worrying about minor differences. Instead what if we took a new perspective on health. One that meant you could eat really, really delicious food and more importantly food that was healthy for you? Don’t think it can happen? Think again.
Health isn’t meant to be complex, we just choose to make things difficult by listening to health claims rather than our own bodies. The simple truth is that health and nutrition are quite simple. Not that I don’t think the little specific details of how our body functions are not important but what if the bottom line was you cooking, getting in your kitchen, eating from the Earth, respecting food and where it came from mattered more than quantity?
What if you could get healthy by simply learning the process of enjoying to cook? Yes, you have that right. Here at Simple Roots we are starting a new mission and one that simply involves helping you to achieve health by appreciating and enjoying or learning to enjoy simple, daily tasks that make all the difference in how you look and feel. Maybe even change your perspective of life for the better.
Sound appealing? I think so and I hope you do as well.
I mean what is more appealing than deliciously breaded food that you can actually eat without shame and guilt?
This is the beauty of life and the awesome reality is that food is meant to be enjoyed, it is meant to taste good. So good food it is and learning to actually like the process of buying, prepping and making delicious food. It can be done.
It really is that simple and it is my pledge to you to make things as simple, realistic and delicious as possible.
With that I think that it is equally important that we know how our body works, like how metabolism actually happens and the truth that lies within all the hidden secrets of our body. The more you know the better choices you can make and the easier the sticky situations become. Knowledge brings power and clarity brings ease and life becomes just a little more peaceful.
So I can’t preach it enough, simplify your life, your nutrition plan by knowing your body, respecting food and getting your groove on in the kitchen. Having the right tools makes all the difference. So make sure you keep checking back over the next few weeks and months (or subscribe to my newsletter full of free weekly meal plans) as I help to take some pressure off by simplifying your life. Easy peasy just like the crunchy cornbread baked chicken fingers.
Mmmm life is good.
And speaking of tools, a super great way to get your feet wet and understanding how your body works is the Craving Cure course. Regardless of whether you suffer from daily sweet cravings or not this is a GREAT way to truly understanding the basics of metabolism and how your body was designed to work. A one-time investment that will provide you with years and years of health. Seriously, you must check it out! The Craving Cure is for you.
Now go get your breading on…. well go bread some chicken and enjoy every crispy bite.
- 1 lb chicken tenders (chicken breasts cut into strips)
- 2 cups cornbread crumbs
- ¼ cup parmesan cheese (optional)
- ½ cup tapioca flour
- 2 eggs
- Cranberry Honey Mustard
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup honey
- 2 Tbsp melted butter
- ½ tsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh cranberries
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
- In a bowl combine the cornbread crumbs and parmesan cheese.
- In another bowl add tapioca flour and in third bowl whisk the eggs.
- Take one chicken tender dip in tapioca flour, then egg and dredge in cornbread crumbs,
- Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Repeat until all chicken tenders are covered.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes or until chicken juice runs clear and there is no pink when cut open.
- While the chicken is baking prepare the cranberry honey mustard.
- Cranberry Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce
- In a food processor add Dijon mustard, honey, apple cider vinegar and cranberries.
- Puree until smooth.
- Add to a saucepan with butter and cook until just beginning to simmer.
- Remove from heat and use as dipping sauce.
- Enjoy!
