Recipe
Crispy Chicken & Zucchini Cornmeal Cheese Fingers
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook Time: 20 min
Serves: 4
Who can resist oven-fried zucchini and chicken fingers? They are great on their own but you can also serve with your favourite dip (e.g., Ranch dressing mixed with Sriracha sauce, warmed marinara sauce).
Contributed By: Developed for CFC by Nancy Guppy, RD, MHSc
Ingredients
2 tbsp (30 mL)
olive oil
2
zucchini, medium
1 lb (0.5 kg)
chicken breasts, cut into strips
1/2 cup (125 mL)
Italian five cheese blend
2/3 cups (170 mL)
cornmeal (polenta), fine
2 tsp (10 mL)
low-sodium sun-dried tomato & herb seasoning
1
egg, medium
Instructions
1
Preheat oven to 450°F (200°C). Oil two pans using a tablespoon (15 mL) each of the oil.
2
Cut each zucchini in half lengthwise and crosswise to make 4 pieces. Slice each into 4 strips. Cut chicken into similar size strips. Aim for 16 pieces so you have 4 pieces per person. Set aside.
3
In a small bowl, whisk together cheese, cornmeal and the sun-dried tomato & herb seasoning.
4
In another bowl, beat the egg.
5
To coat zucchini, pick up the pieces with a fork and submerge in the egg, one at a time. Transfer to the cornmeal and cheese mixture. Use another fork to press the pieces down into the coating to cover as much as possible. Transfer to the oiled baking pan. Repeat until all zucchini pieces are coated.
6
Follow the same procedure with the chicken strips placing them on a separate baking pan.
7
Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven or until cooked through. Flip after 5 minutes to brown the other side. Chicken fingers should reach an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C). Serve immediately.