One of our big family goals in 2016 is to not waste as much money on take-out. With two littles, there aren’t too many times you’ll be able to find the four of us out at a restaurant. On the rare times we do go out, we’re usually taking turns eating and entertaining the kids, picking food or cups up off the floor and hoping we can make it just a few more minutes to get the check. It’s not too enjoyable in this season we’re in, so we end up getting take out at least 3 times a week. Doing that can be expensive when all is said and done.
There are two reasons we usually end up with take-out at our house. One… lack of planning on my part. Meat not defrosted, meals not planned or missing ingredients. Two…rough days with the littles. If either child is fussy or needy during the “witching hour” it is so hard to put one down for a minute, let alone make a meal. On those days, I usually have hubs get something on the way home.
In order to improve on our take-out problem, I will be meal planning again, having easy backup meals ready at all times and looking for new EASY recipes.
Today, I’m sharing our first quick and easy recipe of the new year. All you need for this ritz cracker chicken dish are just THREE ingredients. It takes less than 30 minutes to make and was enjoyed by all four members of my family. This is the perfect replacement for the chicken tenders and potato skins hubs and I would get once a week from our local grocery store! I served the chicken with baked potatoes on the night I made it but from here on out, I think I’ll serve it with sweet potato fries on a night we’re craving comfort food. Enjoy! 
- 2 pieces (about 1lb) chicken cut into strips
- 2/3 cup honey mustard dipping sauce more if needed
- 1 sleeve ritz crackers crushed
- salt and pepper to taste
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Spray a cooking sheet with cooking spray. I baked the chicken on a baking mat.
- Have two empty low bowls or dishes ready. In one, place the honey mustard, in the second, place the crushed Ritz crackers.
- Cut the chicken into strips
- Season the chicken with salt and pepper
- Dip the chicken pieces one by one into the honey mustard first, followed by the ritz crackers.
- Make sure the chicken is covered with crackers.
- After the chicken is coated in honey mustard and crackers, place on a baking sheet.
- When all of the chicken is coated and on the baking sheet, bake for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
- Enjoy!
Totally agree about the pain of going to restaurants with 2. It’s sounds great until you’re sitting there and wishing you would have just had dinner at home! That chicken looks yummy! We love that honey mustard!
Lol, yes! We’ve said many times, oh they’ll be fine. We’ll bring x, y and z to keep them entertained. Then just after we sit down, we wonder what we’re thinking!
This sounds tasty! I want to eat at home way more this year, too..it saves SO much money.
chelsea jacobs recently posted…just write: a helping hand.
You are so right!
I am DEFINITELY throwing this into rotation!! When I don’t meal plan, we end up with frozen pizza or take out…and this happens way to often!! Thanks for sharing!
Jess recently posted…Cameron: 3.5 years old
Thank you! I was just thinking I need to stock up on more frozen pizza as bad as that is, it’s cheaper than take out!
Sounds delicious. Always looking for new ways make chicken.
Candy recently posted…Stuffed Crust Pizza Bites
Thank you!
Yum!!! We used to make chicken fingers similar to this…I’ll have to try this one sometime!
Vanessa recently posted…Ringing in the New Year
We’re going to try them with buffalo sauce this week for a different twist!
Yummm! Sounds good. I totally hear you on the restaurants with the littles. Not even worth it most of the time!
Whitney recently posted…Thanksgiving 2015
Couldn’t agree more, so much stress to keep them entertained!
This looks delicious! We have something called “pantry week,” and this would fit in perfectly—I bet I could make it with regular mustard and honey, too!
Jessica Lynn recently posted…Living Intentionally
That is such a great idea, you can do this with any kind of dressing too!
Yummmmmm! I love doing recipes like these.
Thank you!
Sounds good! I go through spurts where I’m really good about meal planning and then weeks where I just throw together something random or eat out too much. I love finding new recipes, thanks!
You and me both, I’m hoping I can make it a habit this year!
One of my goals for 2016 is to eat better. I don’t have much time to cook and quick and easy meals are what I’ve been looking for. This one sounds great! I honestly never thought of using crackers for something like this before – can’t wait to try it!
Leslie recently posted…My Hopes for 2016
I am right there with you on that one! You can also use cornflakes for another twist on this dish!
Made this tonight and the whole family loved it! Thank you for posting it
Sounds so good, I’m making this tonight! Thank You.