Cheesy Chicken Fingers

It's the first day of school around here!!  So it's only fitting that today's recipe be totally kid-friendly.

Or maybe I should say kid-exciting? Because Gavin kept checking on my progress of making these once I told him what dinner was.  I'm not sure I've ever seen him so excited to try a new recipe!

Cheesy Chicken Fingers
Recipe adapted from Food Network Magazine, Kids Edition
Prep time: 20 minutes   Chill time: at least 30 minutes   Cook time: 17 minutes

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, each about 6 oz
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pieces of string cheese, halved lengthwise
1/2 cup flour
1 egg
Splash of milk
1 cup panko
1/2 tsp paprika, optional

1.  Place each chicken breast in between two pieces of plastic wrap and pound to about 1/4" thickness.  Season with salt and a little bit of pepper (if your kid doesn't like pepper, leave it out).

Got some aggression you need to get out?  Beat up some chicken!

2.  Place 1/2 of a piece of string cheese along the edge of the chicken. Using the plastic wrap, lift the chicken up and over the cheese and roll into a tight log; tuck in the edges.

It's kind of like making sushi, but not really. ;)

3.  Prepare your breading station by placing the flour in one dish and season it with salt and pepper.  Break the egg in the next dish and beat it slightly with a splash of milk.  Mix the panko and paprika, if using, in the last dish.

4.  Holding the chicken log carefully so it doesn't unroll on you, dredge it first in the flour, dip into the egg mixture, and roll in the panko.  Place breaded log on a baking sheet and finish with the remaining chicken breasts and string cheese.  Chill the raw, breaded chicken fingers at least 30 minutes.

I only made up 3 for us as Rob was working late.

5.  Preheat oven to 450.

6.  Bake the chicken fingers on a greased baking sheet until the chicken is cooked through, about 17 minutes.

Cute little crispy chicken log!

Some things I really like about these little guys:

• They are super fun and got my resident Picky Eater excited about dinner for once.  I lost count how many times he said he was SO EXCITED to eat cheesy chicken.
• Because of the need to chill them a while, I could make them up ahead of time while my boys napped and the house was quiet.
• They used things I keep on-hand always, like chicken and string cheese.
• You can make these as flavorful as you like by just adding more seasonings and flavor combinations to your breading station.  This one is one of our favorites if you need an idea.