Are you tired of the nightly dinnertime battles with your picky eaters? Do healthy, homemade meals feel like a monumental task when faced with finicky palates? Then you've come to the right place! This blog post is dedicated to making meal prepping a breeze, even with the most discerning young (or old!) diners. We'll focus on simple, delicious recipes that are surprisingly adaptable and easy to customize. Get ready to conquer picky eating one delicious, healthy meal at a time!
Chicken Nuggets with Sweet Potato Fries
This recipe is a sneaky way to get in some extra veggies while still satisfying those cravings for classic comfort food. The sweet potato fries are naturally sweet and offer a healthier alternative to regular fries.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup breadcrumbs (panko recommended for extra crispiness)
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 large egg, beaten
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into fries
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- ½ tsp paprika
Instructions:
- Prepare the Sweet Potato Fries: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Toss the sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tender and slightly crispy.
- Prepare the Chicken Nuggets: In a shallow dish, whisk together the beaten egg and milk. In another shallow dish, combine the breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Coat the Chicken: Dip each chicken piece in the egg mixture, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture, ensuring it's fully coated.
- Bake the Nuggets: Place the coated chicken nuggets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the chicken nuggets immediately with the sweet potato fries.
Cooking Tips:
- For extra crispy nuggets, you can pan-fry them instead of baking, using a small amount of olive oil.
- If your picky eaters don't like sweet potatoes, substitute regular fries or even roasted vegetables like broccoli or carrots.
- Feel free to experiment with different seasonings – Italian herbs, or even a spicy blend would work well.
Variations:
- Spicy Nuggets: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or your favorite hot sauce to the breadcrumb mixture.
- Cheesy Nuggets: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese over the nuggets before baking.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 350-400
- Protein: 30-35g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Fat: 15-20g
This recipe is a fantastic example of quick dinner ideas and healthy meals that are easy to customize to your family’s preferences. It’s also great for meal prepping – simply store the cooked chicken nuggets and fries separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat as needed. Enjoy!