Chicken McNuggets

Every once in a while I get the craving for chicken McNuggets. You know, those nasty deep-fried pieces of mystery chicken parts you get at McDonald's? It must satisfy some primal craving, as anybody who analyzes the ingredients of McNuggets should get instantly turned off by them. I especially crave them after being ill (don't ask me why) as I have been ill for the past week or so. Instead of caving in to the call of the golden arches, I've come up with an alternative to satisfy the fast-food urge without as much grease, salt and fat.

Home Fried Chicken McNuggets

1.5 pounds of chicken tenders
about 1 cup of seasoned bread crumbs
about 1/2 cup grated parmesean cheese
about 1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper
Pappy's seasoning
Cooking spray
2 eggs lightly beaten in a separate bowl for dipping

Preheat oven to 450* and line a cookie sheet with foil . Spray lightly with cooking spray.

Mix together in a gallon size zip lock bag the bread crumbs, parmesean cheese, salt, and pepper.
Take the chicken tenders and cut into bite sized pieces.

Dip chicken pieces in egg and place into zip lock bag with crumbs (a few at a time) and coat. Place coated chicken pieces on lined cookie sheet.

Sprinkle Pappy's Seasoning (available at Costco -- or use your favorite seasoning mix you have on hand. Don't feel compelled to buy something for this) on the chicken pieces. Lightly spray nuggets with cooking spray and put into oven for about 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and turn pieces over. Return to oven for about another 5-6 minutes.

The nuggets bake rather quickly, depending on your version of 'bite sized.'

I'll often make 'oven fries' to accompany the McNuggets to complete the fast-food craving. Oven fries are just cut up potatoes drizzled in olive oil and baked instead of fried.