Who needs Chick-fil-A?

Since recently reading this article from Food Babe's blog, I admit that I've been dying for Chick-fil-A.. Yes, I get that this wasn't the outcome she was going for as she told of how extremely unhealthy their succulent nuggets really are, but my response to the picture of the chicken sandwich with the caption 'Are you getting hungry just looking at this?' was: OMG YES. Haha. No, we didn't pile the kids in the car and make a mad dash to Chick-fil-A. And because we didn't have 4 hours to marinate chicken, we didn't get to try out her healthy, homemade version (although it is one recipe I am anxious to try!). But we did manage to bust out our own awesome homemade nuggets pretty quickly! And they ranked right up there with Chick-fil-A. :) I only wish I had taken a picture of them before they disappeared... Oh well, here's the recipe, nonetheless.

DISCLAIMER: I am not big on measuring.. I'm a 'pour it in until it looks good' kinda cook, and with this recipe, you can be one, too! There's no messing this up. :)


Sadie-Approved Chicken Nuggets (makes 4 servings)

• Peanut oil
• 3 chicken breasts
• black pepper
• garlic powder
• onion powder
• 2 cups flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• hot sauce (mine was Texas Pete, but you can use any kind)

1. Pour oil into a large, heavy-bottomed pot. Fill to about 1/3-1/2 full. Place over high heat, and heat to 350 degrees. (see hint below for an easy way to keep your thermometer in the right spot)
2. In medium bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Whisk in enough hot sauce to make the mixture bright orange (probably about 3/4 - 1 cup). Set aside. *The hot sauce doesn't make this spicy!! It is there for flavor, not heat. Remember, this is a Sadie-approved recipe. :)
3. In another bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
4. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces. Sprinkle with pepper, garlic powder, and onion powder. (This is to taste - go with as much or as little as your family likes.)
5. Dunk chicken pieces into wet ingredients, and then coat with dry ingredients, making sure that all sides are well coated.
6. Carefully drop chicken into 350 degree oil, and fry for 2-4 minutes or until golden brown.
7. Place nuggets onto paper towels to absorb any excess oil.

Helpful Hints

This is an especially helpful doo-dad for deep frying!! Ours (which was previously my nana's) had hung in our pantry unused for who knows how long. I came so close to throwing it away a while back, and literally, as it was in my hand headed for the trash, an infomercial for this very item came on! OH THE MANY USES! Lesson learned: if you don't know what it's for, keep it until you do. :)

 

And here's a way to keep your thermometer in the oil (or candy, if that's what you're making!) and away from the side or bottom of the pan (where it can read the temperature of hot metal instead of your food). Using two wooden clothespins, it'll stay right where you put it:

That's all I have for today. :) Happy frying!