Mrs. Scales Southern Chicken Fried Chicken

I know the ingredient list seems long..but this recipe is actually pretty quick and easy.  The beauty of that crazy long list is that you can omit what you don't have on hand.  No onion powder? no biggy..  No creole seasoning?  Just use any seasoning salt..  the bare bones original recipe is simply flour, salt and pepper...so really all this other stuff is just flavor boosting goodness i added to make it a yummy Mrs. Scales-style dish for Mr. Scales.  :)

For the Chicken:

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts ( or as many you want until your egg and flour mix runs out)
• 1 teaspoon of Creole or Cajun seasoning
• 1 cup flour
• 1/4 cup Progresso Italian Bread Crumbs
• 1/4 cup Panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional if you want extra spice)
• 1 teaspoon of freshly cracked black pepper
• 2 large eggs
• One-half inch of cooking oil 
• Parsley for topping

For the Gravy:
I went the easy route and used packaged sausage gravy (the dry stuff), followed directions and added a couple pinches of salt.  This also makes the process faster considering i get home late from work.

Directions:
Mix all dry ingredients (except parsley) in a bowl.  Mix it up good and transfer to a plate.  

Beat the eggs in a separate bowl. 

Give the chicken a couple pounds with a meat tenderizer if the breasts are thick.  (I didn't, simply because i don't own a meat tenderizer)  

Heat oil in a skillet on medium.  Or you can use a deep fryer (I did).  

Coat each piece of chicken in the flour mixture, then dunk in egg, then coat in flour mixture AGAIN.  Once all pieces are coated, let sit for about 8-10 minutes.  I used this time to get my side dishes ready...this night it was rice and succotash.  Plus i had to wait for my deep fryer to finish heating up.  

Cook each piece in your skillet till golden brown - about 3 min per side.  OR cook in the deep fryer for 10 minutes at 350.

Don't forget to make your gravy per directions on package.  I did this while my chickens were in the deep fryer. 

Plate your chicken, cover with gravy and sprinkle with parsley. 

Yummy.  This was my first go at chicken friend chicken but i was very pleased with the flavor I created.   This flour mix & egg method can be used if your making chicken tenders also!

Enjoy!

~Mrs. Scales

chicken, comfort food, dinner, easy, southern,

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Dijon Chicken

So easy and quite tasty.

• Boneless Skinless chicken thighs- 1 package
• Dijon mustard- 1/2 cup
• Maple syrup- 1/4 cup
• Rice/rice wine vinegar- 1 tablespoon  ( i substitued apple cider vinager+pinch of sugar)
• Fresh rosemary (or rubbed sage)
• Salt and pepper

Whisk up the Dijon mustard, maple syrup,  and vinager.


Salt & pepper the chicken thighs and arrange in a heavily foiled casserole dish (if you don't foil you'll be cleaning the dish for days).

Arrange the chicken in the dish - cover the chicken with the sauce.

Bake at 450 for 20 minutes then broil for another 20.

Easy Peasy and QUICK prep.

*note: feel free to double the sauce recipe.  I used the above amounts for just 3 thighs because i was just cooking for me and my husband.  If i was cooking the whole package of chicken - I'd double the recipe because I'm a saucy person.

 Make Sauce

Put in the oven - 450 degrees for 40 min total.  

 num num

adapted from http://www.wittyinthecity.com/2011/08/man-pleasing-chicken/ which was adapted from Trader Joes cook book.

cheap, chicken, dinner, easy, healthy,

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Bourbon Chicken / Shoyu Chicken

Bourbon Chicken

aka Shoyu Chicken

1 cup soy sauce

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup water

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, chopped

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

1 tablespoon dried oregano

1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

(optional but good)

1 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper

(optional)

1 teaspoon ground paprika (optional)

5 pounds skinless chicken thighs

Easy and Yummy chicken.  Mix all ingredients together.  Coat chicken well.  Seal in either  a ziploc bag or a tupperware to marinate the chicken for an hour.

Cook with all marinade in a casserole dish at 450 degrees for 40 minutes.  At 20 minutes you can turn to broil if you want.  I did mine in a casserole dish (below) and used the juices to pour over rice. Feel free to double the sauce ingredients to have more to pour over rice.  Alternatively, you can grill the chicken for 15 minutes.

recipe adapted from allrecipes.com

chicken, dinner, easy, spicy, sweet,

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Banana Pineapple Smoothie

Just made a banana pineapple smoothie. 

1 small vanilla yogurt,
1 1/2 bananas, handful of frozen pineapple (or fruit of your choice)
about a 1/4 c of milk OR fruit juice
about ten ice cubes - all in blender till desired consistency


Also Try:

Skinny Caramel Frappacino (Starbucks Copycat)
Starbucks Chai Tea (+ Low Carb Option)
Fat Burning Metabolism Boosting Detox Tea

dinner, drinks, easy, sides, sweet,

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Easy as Cherry Pie

 

Photo from Pillsbury

This is a simple recipe from www.pillsbury.com.  Anyone can make this cherry pie ..even if you have no baking experience.

Ingredients:

1 box Pillsbury® refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box                     
2 cans (21 oz each) cherry pie filling                       
1 teaspoon milk                       
1 teaspoon sugar

Directions:
                   

Heat oven to 425°F. Make pie crusts as directed on box for Two-Crust Pie, using 9-inch glass pie plate.

Spoon pie filling into crust-lined plate. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute. Brush top crust with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Cut slits in several places on top crust.

Bake 40 to 45 minutes or until crust is golden brown. After 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning. Cool at least 1 hour before serving.

 

dessert, easy, sweet,

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Caramel Dumplings

Sauce:

• 1 c brown sugar
• 2 TBSP butter
• 1 1/2 cups water

Melt brown sugar and butter together over medium heat in a sauce pan. Add water, bring to boil. Boil a few minutes.

Batter:

• 1/2 c white sugar
• 2 TBSP softened butter
• pinch of salt
• 1 c all purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 c milk

Mix all ingredients to make batter.

Pre heat oven 400 degrees. Put the caramel syrup you made into a greased casserole dish.
Drop spoonfuls of batter into syrup. Bake for 20 minutes.

Easy peasy yappaneesy.

Before

After

Served

cheap, dessert, easy, sweet,

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Ramen Noodle Stir Fry (Cheap & Easy Dinners)

 

Yes this is a meal using Top Ramen (or any ramen noodle package). Another edition of Mrs. Scales CHEAP & EASY meals. :)   

Ingredients:

1-2 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast (or meat/seafood of your choice)
1 block of  ramen noodles
1 tsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp Worcestershire
1 tsp minced garlic
1/4 c frozen veggie mix
1 egg
1 tsp cooking oil (olive, sesame, vegetable)
seasoning salt, to taste
salt/pepper, to taste

First, cut up your boneless skinless chicken breast or whatever meat you use. 

On medium heat, put garlic and the tsp of oil in the frying pan or wok.

                                             

Toss your chicken in the pan with soy sauce, Worcestershire, frozen veggies, a couple dashes of seasoning salt.  Stir with wooden spoon.

While this is cooking and blending flavors, put a bowl of water in the microwave for 3 minutes.  When the 3 minutes is up you'll have boiling water, while still in the microwave add your block of noodles (break in half if you wish).  Turn microwave back on for another 2.5 min. This method makes the perfect consistency of noodles.. not soggy or puffy.

Back over to the pan - Once the veggies are almost cooked crack in the egg.  Stir again with wooden spoon or spatula to scramble the egg.

Back to the microwave - Your noodles should be done at this point.  Drain all the water from the bowl.  Use an oven mitt, the bowl will be HOT. (Note: if you want to save those couple extra minutes, I recommend using this rapid ramen bowl, which will give you the same perfect consistency with only 3 minutes total in the microwave rather than the 3 minutes then extra 2.5 minutes),

Add the noodles and ramen seasoning packet to the pan/wok and stir it all up.  Add a little more oil if you need to and a little water (maybe a table spoon). 

Serve.  

I recommend trying it with mushrooms too if you have them on hand (pic on right). 

Try also

Easy Fried Rice

Chicken Satay w/ Thai Peanut Sauce





asian, cheap, chicken, dinner, easy, pasta,

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Pot Pie Over Rice (Cheap & Easy Dinners)



Have no time?  No money? This is a fast, tasty meal that is easy on the pocketbook.

Ingredients:

• Stouffer's (or any brand) Frozen Pot Pie (turkey, chicken, ham & cheese,  whatever you feel like)
• Cooked White Rice

Directions:   

1. Cook pot pie.  These days you can do them in the microwave for 5 minutes.  If you prefer you can do yours in the oven according to the printed directions.


2. Cook your rice according to package.  Minute rice or old fashioned rice that take 25 min to cook.. whichever you prefer.


3. Dump your pot pie over your steamed white rice... doesn't have to be pretty.  Grab your fork and salt/pepper to taste and dig in!   Great for kids when running short on time.

Enjoy

cheap, dinner, easy,

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Grilled veggies

So yum. Put veggies in a bag. Toss with parmesan, cayenne pepper, seasoning salt, minced garlic, and pepper. Wrap veggies in foil. Put on the grill for a half hour or until as tender as desired.

Eat.

easy, sides,

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Copy Cat Chuy's Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dip

Copy Cat Chuy’s Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dip

If you have ever been to Chuy's tex mex restaurant then you know the deliciousness that is the Creamy  Jalapeño Ranch dip. 

After searching around I found a basic recipe that I changed to make it taste as close to Chuy's version as possible. It's very similar and 2 people have said that my version actually has more flavor and they prefer  it but they are close  in taste. 

I hope you enjoy.  

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup milk (whole milk)
• 1 packet hidden valley ranch dressing mix (the dry stuff)
• 1/2 sliced fresh jalapeno (no seeds if you don't want really spicy; i add the seeds)
• 1/2 cup pickled jalapeno pepper slices
• 4 finger pinch of cilantro
• generous pinch of salt
• 2 tsp garlic powder to taste
• 1 tsp of lime juice (Optional)

Directions:

Throw EVERYTHING in the blender.

Blend on low for 45-60 seconds. (The longer you blend the runnier it gets.)
Refrigerate
 

Serve with tortilla chips.  Perfect opener for delicious Chicken Enchiladas.

Let me know what you think! :)

appetizer, copy cat, dressing, easy, quick, sides, spicy,

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Walking Tacos

 Walking Tacos 

Get some Fritos - Original or [i like] Chili Cheese Fritos.

Brown your meat with taco seasoning.

 

 

Make your Pico De Gallo.

 

Shred your cheese.

 

 

Lettuce if you wish ( i don't actually like lettuce so you wont see it pictured here, hehe)

Assemble all the yummyness in a bowl.  Easy and Quick.  

I use chili cheese fritos...my husband likes regular.

beef, dinner, easy, mexican, quick,

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Starbucks Chai Tea Latte Copycat (Low Carb option available)

Oh that delicious Chai Tea!  First off I'm gonna tell you something.  You may already know, some people don't and are surprised to find out that Starbucks add water to their chai lattes.  I was told this insider tip by one of my Starbucks friends years ago in Seattle (home of the orig Starbucks).   You get around this by ordering a "no water chai" when you are at Starbucks..  Unless you like water in yours then don't even mention it. lol.  I don't like water in mine.  


Ok, to make a chai latte like at Starbucks, you: 

1. Go to your grocery store and purchase TAZO Chai Latte Concentrate (liquid).  TAZO is the only brand Starbucks uses (*they may have switched brands by now but this is what they used for a LONG time).  
2. After you buy this gem, mix 3/4 Chai with 1/4 Milk. 
3. You can heat it on the stove, or in the microwave, or steam it if you have an espresso machine.  
4. Add a bit of water if you want it EXACT to Starbucks lol.  

I add cinnamon to mine, as you can see.  :)

Now for the REALLY GOOD NEWS!  A Sugar Free LOW CARB option!!  

Yes, this means low carbers can finally enjoy a chai tea.  mmmm.   

Same instructions as above but you have to buy Oregon brand Sugar Free Chai Latte Concentrate (liquid).  Tazo does NOT offer a sugar free version. Boo.  The second modification is that you have to use Heavy Whipping Cream (0 carbs) OR Heavy Cream (1 carb per 2 tbsp), OR Half & Half (idk the carbs on that) INSTEAD of milk.  Milk has mucho carbs/sugar.  Then top with cinnamon.  I do add a bit of water when doing the low carb version because the whipping cream is so creamy the water doesn't bother me


This hot tasty drink go perfectly with Caramel Apple Pie Cookies or warm Caramel Dumplings.

copy cat, drinks, easy, quick, sweet,

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