What's for Dinner Tonight- Fried (Baked) Chicken

This is a healthier version of fried chicken.

It will taste like fried chicken, but you bake it.

I have seen many chefs make something similar. I like mine better. 

Many chefs have to cook in such a way to just show off. 

I cook for the everyday real person.

When using chicken, I use mostly chicken thighs. They just taste better!

This is not an expensive meal, but it rivals any restaurant, any chef!

Remember, you can take almost anything and make it your own!

I purchased a package of chicken thighs. They had the bone and skin on them. There were 12 thighs. I paid $5.66 for the package. I purchased them at Aldi's. I also used Italian Style breadcrumbs. Again purchased from Aldi's. $.83 for the can. I used skim milk (that's what we drink) and spray oil. 

These were also purchased from Aldi's.

For the sides, I cooked a bag a frozen peas, white rice and chicken gravy.

For giggles, I made homemade biscuits.

Before starting on the chicken, start the rice. 

I learned this trick a few years ago - how to make sticky rice. 

We love sticky rice!

Pour 1 cup of rice into a sauce pan. Add 2 1/2 cups of water. 

Mix well.

 Let sit until chicken is cooked.

 The rice will take less than 10 minutes to cook. If you do not like sticky rice, only use 2 cups of water. 

When you are ready to cook the rice, turn on stove to medium high. 

Bring rice to a boil. 

Once boiling turn down to medium low and cover. 

 Rice will take approximately 5 minutes to cook.

Now the chicken....

First I removed the skin from the chicken. This is easy. It just pulls off. 

If necessary, use a knife to help remove the skin. Set aside the chicken.

In one large bowl, pour approximately 2 cups of milk.

In another bowl pour approximately 2 cups of breadcrumbs.

Use aluminum foil and line a baking tray. 

I use heavy duty foil that I purchase from Walmart. I have used many brands. Walmart brand is the best.

Spray the foil with spray oil.

Next take a chicken thigh and dip in the milk. 

Take out of milk and roll in breadcrumbs

 Line chicken on greased pan.

Once complete, cover with aluminum foil and place in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 25 minutes.

After 25 minutes, remove top foil and continue to cook for 15 more minutes. 

Remove chicken from oven and place on serving dish.

While chicken is cooking, prepare the biscuits. 

Bake the biscuits once the chicken is cooked unless you have a double oven!

Biscuit Ingredients

• 2 cups All Purpose Flour
• 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
• 3 Tablespoons White Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon course/Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup melted, cooled, unsalted butter- cool for approximately 8 minutes
• 1 cup milk (whole milk preferably)

Biscuit Making Instructions

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Mix all dry ingredients together. Stir well.

• Add cooled butter and milk to dry ingredients and mix until moistened.

• Drop by spoonful onto parchment lined cookie sheet.

• Cook for approximately 10-12 minutes or until tops start to turn brown.

• Serve immediately

The peas, I microwaved according to the directions. For a change, I added 1/2 tablespoon of unsalted butter when it came out of the microwave.  I purchased the peas at Aldi's for less than $1.

I used package gravy- McCormick's Low Sodium Chicken Gravy. It cost $.99 for the packet. All you do is add 1 cup of cold water and bring to a boil while whisking. It takes less than 3 minutes to make. This was purchased from Walmart.

The chicken was amazingly moist. The biscuits light and airy. 2 Bonuses- they all loved the meal and enough leftover for dinner tomorrow night!

Making this meal is easy, budget friendly and will wow anyone and everyone!

Buon Appetito !!!