Parmesan chicken tenders

I turned leftover potato chip crumbs into dinner last week, using my mom’s parmesan chicken as inspiration.  I crushed the crumbs up, added some panko breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese, then used that as a coating to make homemade chicken tenders.  The results were delicious and I was glad to use items I already had on hand.

Parmesan chicken tenders

2-3 boneless chicken breasts, cut in 2 inch cubes

½ cup potato chip crumbs (mine were sour cream and onion)

½ cup panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese

Combine the chips, breadcrumbs and cheese in a bowl, stirring to blend.  I did not add additional salt and pepper to the coating, but I did salt and pepper the chicken pieces before dredging them in the coating.  Shake off excess coating and place on a baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick coating.

Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for 20 minutes, turning after about 10 minutes. They will brown nicely and look like this when they are done:

My husband and youngest son loved them!  This is a super simple dinner that could be made with ingredients on hand. I added broccoli and rice and called dinner done! (Using the fine China!)

Start Your Ovens 2012 giveaway

I am a huge fan of regional cookbooks, especially when the recipes give insight into the place and people who cook and eat these dishes. Last year I held a contest to give away a copy of  “Start Your Ovens, Cooking the Way it Ought'a Be," a collection by the Junior League of Bristol VA/TN. Bristol Motor Speedway owner and philanthropist Bruton Smith underwrote the second printing of this book.

I sought an obtained permission from the Junior League of Bristol to reprint some of the recipes and to give away a copy of the book. And again this year, this promotion is strictly for fun and aimed at highlighting delicious local recipes. I’ll give away a copy of Start Your Ovens, in celebration of the Junior League’s efforts and to coincide with the August race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

This book appeals to race fans, food enthusiasts and anyone who loves to collect cookbooks that tell the story of a region. It is chock full of recipes from famous NASCAR drivers and their spouses, local restaurants and historical observations about Bristol Motor Speedway: The World’s Fastest Half Mile.
To enter for the prize giveaway, you can do the following:

** Leave a comment on this post asking to be registered;

** Go to Google Friend Connect and add me, then leave a comment on this post saying you have added me;

** Follow me on Twitter (@FineKettleFood), then leave a comment on this post saying you are following me;

** Follow me on Twitter (@FineKettleFood) and retweet this post with the hashtag #startyourovens; or

** Like my food page on Facebook (Fine Kettle Food) and post on the page to be entered.

You will be entered once for each action -- just be sure to post and let me know.
The contest will end Aug. 31 and I will draw for a winner who will receive a copy of the book by mail. And check out some of the great recipes from the book, tagged on this blog under "Start Your Ovens."