Skip the Double Cheeseburger This Labor Day!

Think Labor Day food consists only of heavy BBQ food like double cheeseburgers and chili cheese dogs? Well, my tia came up with a healthy alternative- lightly fried and baked chicken cutlets! You can serve it next to sweet potato fries or fresh corn on the cob. Or you can dress it up like the picture to the right with lettuce and super yum avocado! Baking can be just as tasty as deep frying and barbecuing. Read on for the chicken recipe and the salad ingredients!

Total time: 40 mins                  
Prep time: 20 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Recipe Serves 4

Fierce Ingredients:

-10 slices whole grain bread (WITHOUT CRUST)

-1 tbs minced fresh thyme leaves

-1 tsp of grated lemon zest

-kosher salt

-black pepper

-1 cup of Arrowhead Mills Multigrain Pancake and Waffle Mix

-1/2 cup egg whites (beaten)

-4 boneless skinless 6 oz. chicken breast

-1/2 cup vegetable oil (for light frying)

Prepping: 

1. Make the bread crumbs! Break crustless bread into small pieces. Now, dry it out by placing the small pieces on a microwave-safe plate and microwaving them for 1 minute. When the pieces cool down, crumble into crumbs. Mix in chopped thyme, lemon zest, a pinch of kosher salt, and a pinch of pepper.

2. Pound chicken breasts to an equal thickness.

3. Place pancake mix, egg whites, and the bread crumbs in three separate shallow dishes.

4. Pat chicken until dry. Season as desired with salt and pepper.

5. Dip each breast into pancake mix and shake off any excess. Next, coat chicken breasts with egg whites. Allow excess to fall back into bowl.

6. Finally, coat chicken in the bread crumbs. Lay on wax paper when fully coated.
7. Make sure to preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Cooking:

1. Put large skillet/pan over medium heat and add vegetable oil.

2. Cook chicken without turning for about 2 minutes or until golden brown. Turn chicken when ready. 

3. Cook equally on the other side. Repeat with remaining chicken. 

4. Lay chicken on a paper towel lined plate to drain. 

5. Place all chicken in baking pan. Bake about 6 to 8 minutes (or until firm.) 

6. When baking is complete, serve next to desired side dish(es)!

Calories for 1 cutlet: 165 calories

My Tia's Labor Day Salad:

-4 cups Fresh Romaine
-1/2 Avocado
-1 Mozzerella String Cheese Stick
-1/2 Small Tomato
-Desired Light Dressing
Total calories of Tia's Salad (with 2 cutlets): Approx. 525 calories

I'd say it's a win.

Happy Labor Day to y'all!

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