Taco Chicken Fingers

 Happy winter evening!  I want to discuss something with you......  happy accidents.  Yes, yes, they do happen from time to time.  Ironically 1 week after I made this recipe for the second time, I was in an UNhappy car accident with my daughter in law.  Four hours in the ER was not my idea of a good time.  I digress....

I was over at my son and daughter in laws house watching my littles when this accident happened.  The happy one, that is.  I was told there was chicken in the fridge that needed used, I found some chips and decided to make chicken fingers.  They were fabulous.  I used minimal ingredients, and they were awesome dipped in some queso.  My littles are all about dipping!  The next time I made this, I tossed in a packet of taco seasoning, just to see how it would taste.  Holy taco chicken batman.  Delish!  If you don't groove on the store bought packets feel free to use your own homemade.

This is so kid friendly, get them in the kitchen with you!  It is fun, good, and if you make it into nugget shaped pieces you could use it for an appetizer or just make nuggets for eating!

2 cups corn chips, crushed into crumbs (should have 2 cups after crushed)
1 packet taco seasoning
3 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into strips or use tenderloins
1 stick of butter, melted (1/2 cup)

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F.  In one bowl combine corn chip crumbs and taco seasoning, in the other melt 1 stick of butter.

Line baking sheet with foil.  Dip the chicken strips in the butter, and then coat in the crumbs.  Make sure to press crumbs into the chicken well!  Place on your baking sheet until all of the chicken is coated!

Bake for 20-25 minutes until chicken is completely done, and the outside is crispy!  Make sure not to over cook!

I served these with salsa for dipping.  OMGOSH, delicious!

ENJOY!

Chocolate Kiss Cookie

Ahh, the holiday that either people love or hate.  The dreaded/dreamed about "Valentine's Day"!  Are you a loather or a lover?  I love it.  No, my husband and I don't need a special holiday to express our love to each other (because I know that is a famous excuse) it is a day to do something extra special!  Anyone who doesn't like it will argue anything but, I am all about that mushy love stuff.  I get it often but I get a second helping on Valentine's day!

In case you wondered, the answer is yes.  I am that woman who tries to cook or bake everything in heart shapes or X's and O's, and writes a love note to use as a napkin ring.  Candles, and flowers, all of it.  In my defense, I am like that with most holidays, so no worries, that I am showing favoritism to this one.  Do it for your kids, for your parents, just show TONS of love on Valentine's day, don't make it so dang difficult!  This cookie for instance, adapted from the Hershey's website.  I just wanted a big cookie.  Some people don't like pies, or cakes, or cupcakes, and I think this same idea would be awesome for a birthday party if someone doesn't like cake.  It really is all about how you decorate it, or theme it.  I just wanted to share because I made it for my littles, and they loved it.  Also, I used a heart shaped pan I have.  It is about 11 inches at the widest part.  You can do it in a 9x13, or anything really, it will just make your baking time vary.  So I will give you the directions to get the particular cookie I made in the photo.

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup peanut butter
1/3 granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 T milk
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
Red Wilton candy melts
Pink Wilton Candle melts
almond bark
15-20 Hershey's Kisses
Red sugar

Preheat your oven to 350.  Beat together, butter, peanut butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, milk and vanilla extract.  Beat until completely combined.  In a separate bowl mix together flour, baking soda and salt.  Mix well, and pour into the peanut butter mixture, beat until just combined.  Lightly spray your baking pan.  Pour dough out into pan and use a spatula or fingers to press into place.  Bake for 10-15 minutes.  I hate to be vague but this depends completely on your baking pan size.  You want the cookie to remain soft, but be baked all the way through.

When you take it out, IMMEDIATELY place your kisses on the cookie,  However you want, randomly as I did or in a design, or a name?!?!  Or the word "LOVE" OH yes!  Let cool completely!  Melt your red and pink melts, about 4 or 5 of them will be enough of each color.  Add a few drops of vegetable oil to them if they aren't drizzling nicely enough.  Do one color at a time and your almond bark as well.  About 30 seconds in the micro for each color did it for me.  Then sprinkle with red sugar and waa-laa!  A special Valentine's Day treat for your husband, wife, gf, bf, kids, parents, or friends.  Just spread the love!

ENJOY!