Orange Chicken Fingers with Orange Teriyaki Glaze

The Homegirlz have been asking me to make Chicken Nuggets and I just wasn't in the mood to fry anything.   I was in the mood for some good crunchy chicken though.  Even grown kids like me enjoy chicken nuggets or chicken strips from time to time.  This is the result of Kaitlin and me experimenting in the kitchen and learning that compromise is good and figuring out how to make some good crunchy chicken a little less fattening, a lot more healthy and not lose a bit of flavor.

Chicken Fingers:

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds - or toast your own (see below)

6 cups corn flake cereal

1/2 teaspoon grated orange zest

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 egg whites

1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into tenders

Orange Teriyaki Glaze:

1/2 cup orange marmalade

1 tablespoon teriyaki sauce

1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place a wire rack on a baking sheet and lightly mist with nonstick cooking spray.

Toast the sesame seeds in a small nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Toast, tossing them around the skillet often, until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside to cool.

Put the corn flake cereal in a re-sealable plastic bag and crumble using a rolling pin until crushed.

In a shallow bowl combine the toasted sesame seeds, crushed cereal and orange zest and lightly season with salt and pepper.

In a second shallow dish, beat the egg whites with the teriyaki sauce.

Dip each chicken tender in the teriyaki-egg mixture and then the cereal mixture, pressing to coat well. Place the chicken on the rack and mist the chicken with nonstick cooking spray. Bake until the crust is golden and the chicken is cooked through, 18 to 20 minutes.

In a small pan, heat the marmalade, teriyaki and ginger over medium heat until melted and thoroughly blended.

Remove from heat and stir in the lemon juice. Serve the chicken with some of the sauce for dipping.

You'll feel good about enjoying this meal with your kids.