Healthy Chicks

mmm…what’s poppin’?

Why hello all. How’s it going? Or shall I say what’s poppin’? This year I’m happy to be competing in Popchips Munch Madness 2011, a Boston blogger recipe challenge. As all you sports fans know, March Madness is coming up before we know it! And since I grew up in a household with a sports fanatic father, I have accepted my role as the family chef. Hey, at least when I cook mouthwatering, delicious snacks I’m allowed in the room without being shouted at, “Down in front woman!”

Well, this recipe has a little catch: it must include popchips as a key ingredient. Easy, I thought. I love popchips (and they are gluten free!), so that shouldn’t be a problem. I put my thinking cap on and came up with the perfect game day recipe. Make this on Game Day ladies, and you’ll surely be a crowd favorite in no time.

Poppin’ Game Day Chicken Fingers with Hot & Sweet Dill Sauce

Serves 4 to 6 sports fanatics

For the Chicken:

-1 package all natural boneless, skinless chicken breast tenders

-2 small bags original potato popchips

-1 TB parmesan cheese

-2 TB rosemary, dried

-1 large egg

-1 TB olive oil

-1 TB Hot & Sweet Mustard or spicy mustard of choice (I got mine from Trader Joe’s)

For the Dipping Sauce:

-1/2 c. plain nonfat Greek yogurt

-3 TB Hot & Sweet mustard (see above)

-1/2 tsp. dill

-salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350. In the meantime, crush up the popchips in a mini food processor until finely ground like breadcrumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, you can place popchips in a plastic bag and and crush into “breadcrumbs” with rolling pin or unopened can. Pour into a bowl, and add in parmesan cheese and rosemary.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, olive oil and mustard. Add a sprinkle of salt and pepper and stir.

3. Pour the popchips mixture onto a large plate, and then set up an assembly line to prepare your chicken! First dunk each tender in the egg mixture, followed by the popchips mixture, and then place on a large foil-lined baking sheet.

4. Bake the chicken for 25 to 30 minutes or until slightly browned. While the chicken is cooking, prepare the dip! Simply mix together yogurt, mustard and dill with a spoon, and place in a teeny tiny pretty bowl for dipping.

5. Serve chicken tenders on a large plate with dipping sauce on the side. The chicken tenders would taste great dipped in ketchup or Barbeque sauce as well. Enjoy!

These babies are so good that you may not be able to keep your eyes on the game. Just warning ya…If you think my recipe is “pop worthy,” vote for me on the popchips Facebook fan page here by “liking” it or leaving a comment!