a yummy twist on Chicken Wilson

Last night I made my own special version of Chicken Wilson for dinner. I find that this dish is not flavorful enough for me when made the traditional way, plus, with a few small updates it turns into a dish my whole family will eat, which is, of course, my goal. My oldest son liked this dish so much that I renamed it "Chicken Matthew". It is nice when a meal with grown up tastes also works for the little ones.


Chicken Matthew

6 eggs, slightly beaten
3 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch cubes
butter
1/2 to 1 pound mushrooms, sliced (depends on your tastes)
1 small onion, chopped
bread crumbs ( I like to use the seasoned kind for more flavor)
1 cup white wine (the recipes always call for "dry white wine" but I just use what I have on hand, which is almost always a sweeter wine, and it is always good.)
6 slices muenster cheese
olive oil
sage
salt
pepper

Lightly beat eggs in medium size bowl. Place chicken pieces in bowl and let sit in refridgeraor for at least 30 minutes. I usually get this step completed before I walk out the door to pick up the boys from daycare; that way I can start dinner as soon as we get home.

Melt butter in a large pan and add mushrooms and onions. Cook, stirring, until softened.

Remove chicken from egg bath and roll pieces in breadcrumbs. Cook in heated pan with olive oil. I just use the same pan I already cooked the veggies in- it is all going to mix together in the casserole dish anyways. Add sage, salt and pepper to taste. Mix in 2 additional tablespoons of breadcrumbs. Once chicken is browned on all sides pour entire mixture into greased 9x 13 casserole dish. Pour wine over mixture and place sliced cheese on top.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, until chicken is cooked through and cheese is bubbly.

I found that the addition of the sage and extra breadcrumbs made a stuffing like taste to this dish, which is probably one reason it was such a hit with the little ones. The wine cooks off and only a light flavor was left. I found this made about 6 servings.

Enjoy!

thank god for annie's

We are taking the boys to Cedar Point tomorrow for the weekend. Matthew has been asking to go to a beach for about a year now, so he is super excited. Plus, he absolutely loved Cedar Point last year. He is still talking about the rides and has already planned out what he will be riding this year. We have looked at the rides online and he is ready. We are all looking forward to it.

I have been working hard to assure that my family eats whole and healthy. This means less eating out, no fast food. (although Alex, Brad and I did just eat at Boston Market yesterday.) Snacks are healthy. Popsicles are fruit based, juice is 100%... I do have to admit though that I seem to have replaced my McDonald's sweet tea addiction with sugar free Kool Aid. So far cherry is my favorite.

So back to the weekend. Every meal will be eaten either in the park or in a restaurant. Like any other family, we'll do the best we can. Applesauce or oranges, when available, instead of french fries. No pop. (Which my kids don't drink anyways. My 4 year old did recently learn the joys of orange pop while at the zoo, but he knows that is for special occasions only.) And I am ready with the snacks and drinks. Thank God for annies, right?

I am armed and ready with the "gummy bunnies", as Matthew calls them. I've got bunny crackers and granola bars. I've got raisins. I've got 100% fruit juice drink boxes. Alex picked out his reusable water bottle and so now no one in the family will be drinking out of plastic containers. Not only is drinking filtered tap water less expensive, but drinking it out of BPA free containers is healthier for everyone. Bottled water runs about $6.00 for a case of 24 bottles, and at the amount we are supposed to drink every day a busy family, away from the home tap and fridge, can really shell out a lot of money over the course of a year! Plus, I want my children to understand that there simply isn't room in this world for waste items that don't break down. The other day my 4 year old and I were out somewhere and he spotted someone drinking from a disposable plastic bottle of water. He pointed it out to me and said "they should be using a bottle that is just theirs. They shouldn't be throwing that away." I was so proud!

 I think I can balance the unhealthy food choices we might have to make with our healthy snacks and drinks. Bring on the beach!



alex's pick for a reusable water bottle