Ranch Chicken Strips

[penguin]

DH and I were really missing my ranch chicken strips, which used hidden valley ranch mix and crushed saltines. After seeing Nini's recipe for chicken, I thought, hey, that'll work! And I also made my own ranch mix (was pretty good, but I'm going to keep tweaking.) Like all of my recipes, it has cheese in it

2-4 bonless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips

1 c. mashed potato flakes (I use idahoan premium)

1/2 c. parmesan cheese*

1-2 eggs, beaten (you can get away with only one egg with 2 breasts)

4 tbsp melted butter (or margerine)

HV Ranch mock up:

3 tbsp Buttermilk powder* (found with the other dry milk)

at least 1 tsp garlic salt

" " 1 tsp onion powder

" " 1 tsp dried dill

" " 1 tsp dried parsley

" " 1/2 tsp lemon pepper

Preheat oven to 375. Mix together the ranch copy cat powder and potato flakes. Dip the chicken pieces in the parmesan, then into the egg, and then coat with the potato mixture. Do this with all of the chicken pieces. Place chicken into a pyrex dish (or other oven safe dish with sides), pieces not touching, and drizzle with the melted butter. Cook 30-40 minutes or until done and golden brown.

I made this a total junk food dinner with ore-ida fries and broccoli with velveeta sauce

It's not my old recipe exactly, but it's close, and I think it'll get even better with more tweaking. DH fought me for the leftovers!

*If you are lactose/casein intolerant, you can omit the buttermilk powder. You can also replace the parmesan cheese with gluten-free flour, but season it with salt and pepper first. The first dredging before going into the egg makes for maximum crispyness and helps the potato flakes adhere better!

Thanks Nini, for inspiring me to modify an old favorite recipe!!!

[jerseyangel]

Sounds good--I'm in the market for new dinner ideas. I like the boneless breasts--not so much work . I'll be doing the dairy-free version, though

[skinnyminny]

Sounds good--I'm in the market for new dinner ideas. I like the boneless breasts--not so much work . I'll be doing the dairy-free version, though

I was just wondering if the Ranch Mix is gluten free from Hidden Valley I know we have used it before?

[penguin]

Sounds good--I'm in the market for new dinner ideas. I like the boneless breasts--not so much work . I'll be doing the dairy-free version, though

I'm chock-full of dinner recipes, especially since I've had to modify very few of them. I never really noticed, but all but maybe 3 of my dinner recipes in regular rotation are gluten-free

My body was definitely trying to tell me something

[Turtle]

Thanks so much for sharing....this looks easy and maybe something I won't destoy. One of these days maybe i'll have something cool to share...until then i'll continue on w/ blowing up mixers and having muffins and bread come out flat. HAHA! I am still in phase 101 of gluten-free cooking....HAHA!

[jerseyangel]

Turtle--How funny . Keep at it--you'll become an expert gluten-free chef in no time!

[zip2play]

I too have used the Ranch packets with no problems???

Monica

[Turtle]

Thanks for the encouragement....i'll get there but I've had a few notso happy gluten-free Kitchen moments! HA! Have a good day!

[penguin]

I too have used the Ranch packets with no problems???

Monica

This is what they say about it:

Q. Do Hidden Valley

[Guest Robbin]

Thank you so much for a great idea! The Hidden Valley Ranch has maltodextrin and MSG, both of which send me to the throne room and bed for a couple of days. It's too bad they can't just make it without all that. I found some Giant brand -Nature's Promise organic ranch dressing that is pretty good, but not quite Hidden Valley. The bad stuff must be what tastes so good!

[Guest nini]

Oh wow! I'm humbled and honored that I inspired such creativity! I'm going to have to try this one myself! Thanks!

[jerseyangel]

Nini--you're an inspiration to us all

[penguin]

Oh wow! I'm humbled and honored that I inspired such creativity! I'm going to have to try this one myself! Thanks!

DH was looking at me poring over mixing spices and thought I was nuts

He liked it though!

Thanks for letting us know about the potato flakes

[Guest nini]

Nini--you're an inspiration to us all

DH was looking at me poring over mixing spices and thought I was nuts

He liked it though!

Thanks for letting us know about the potato flakes

you are welcome!