March 30, 2012

Chicken Change-Up…Oven Fried Herbed Chicken

Remodeling a kitchen is expensive, you guys.

Even with the deals I am getting on many things (thank heavens), it’s still a lot of cash.

So, if I can save a little money on clothes (ha, I don’t buy any), gas, or food, believe me, I DO it.

Lucky for me, I was approached by Hellmann’s with a budget friendly CHICKEN project. Yep, THAT Hellmann’s! It’s called the Chicken Change-Up, and I am ALL IN! Every couple of weeks there will be a new project, livening up our go-to chicken dinners. For example, in early March a group tackled Time Saving Recipes (who doesn’t like that?). This go round, it’s all about being Budget Friendly. Soon we will challenge ourselves with Picky Eaters, and finally, we’ll be putting a Twist on a Classic. All fun projects, don’t you think?

For this Budget Friendly Challenge, I opted to make Hellmann’s Oven Fried Herbed Chicken. I’ll be frank – I had never considered using a mayonnaise as a way to dredge. Typically I use an egg/milk combo. But the Hellmann’s worked great, and added a nice flavor without being overpowering! Since it only called for 1/2 a cup in 8 servings, it really just added a zip more than anything, and the crumbs really stuck well – something I appreciate. I’ll definitely be using this method again!

hellmannschicken

Oven Fried Herbed Chicken

A comfort food classic with less guilt!

8 servings

Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes

1/2 cup plain dry bread crumbs
3/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. dried oregano, parsley or rosemary leaves, crushed
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
3-1/2 lbs. chicken parts, skin removed
1/2 cup Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Mayonnaise Dressing with Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1. Preheat oven to 400°.

2. Combine bread crumbs, garlic salt, herbs and black pepper in shallow dish; set aside.

3. Add chicken and Hellmann’s® or Best Foods® Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mayonnaise to large plastic bag; shake to evenly coat. Remove chicken, then lightly dip in crumb mixture. Arrange chicken on cookie sheet.

4. Bake 40 minutes or until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

Cost per recipe*: $7.05.

Cost per serving*: $.88.

*Based on average retail prices at national supermarkets.

*Note – I added a bit of goat cheese and garlic to the center of my chicken before dredging, slightly increasing the cost. The cost per serving still came in at under $1.00!

Nutrition Information per serving:

Calories 310, Calories From Fat 100, Saturated Fat 2.5g, Trans Fat 0g, Total Fat 11g, Cholesterol 145mg, Sodium 410mg, Total Carbohydrate 6g, Sugars 1g, Dietary Fiber 0g, Protein 44g, Vitamin A 2%, Vitamin C 8%, Calcium 4%, Iron 10%

Do you find it hard to stay on budget for family meals? How do you cut costs without sacrificing flavor or foods? Share your tricks? I am all ears!

Now sure, the upcoming recipes in my Hellmann’s Challenge will be fun, but you want more, don’t you? I know you guys. So, I guess I should tell you…there’s something in it for YOU! If you visit the Chicken Change-Up on Facebook, you can enter to win some GREAT prizes! Hellmann’s® “Chicken Change-Up” aims to help parents manage dinner dilemmas in kitchens across America – and they want to hear what it’s like at your house! They are giving away something every day between now and April 30, plus, a Grand Prize Winner will net a $5,000 Grocery Gift Card to take care of all your grocery shopping needs! Who doesn’t need THAT??