Liam loves spicy foods. And when I say loves I mean loves. He had his palate expander taken out last month and they told him he couldn't eat spicy foods for a few days because it might irritate his mouth and he was crushed. They told him, he could try it, but don't be surprised if the hot sauce would hurt - well, he tried it, declared it "okay" and ate spicy things anyway.
Whenever we go out to eat he scours the menu for spicy chicken sandwiches - and if he doesn't find them, orders plain chicken and hot sauce on the side. While I appreciate the fact that he loves them so much, I don't like the fact that when he does eat them they're deep fried and so unhealthy. In comes my latest brainstorm that came out really good.
Yes, baked spicy chicken sandwiches. I know it's not a unique idea, but it's one that works well enough I can do it often without guilt (and control just what they are eating - goodness knows the older they get the less control you do have).
Simply, preheat your oven to 375. To bread the chicken, I usually place seasoned bread crumbs with some cayenne pepper, a little salt, and a little garlic powder in pie plate. Rinse your thinly sliced chicken breast (I can buy them like that at the store here - but if you're going to do them yourself slice them horizontally about 1/4 inch thin.) and then place them in the bread crumb mixture. Coat both sides and then place on a cookie sheet that's been sprayed with non stick spray. Bake them for about 15-20 minutes or until they're cooked through.
I like to serve them with lettuce, tomato and red onion - along with a sprinkling of Frank's hot sauce.
When you serve sandwiches like this for dinner what healthy side dishes come to mind? The obvious would be baked french fries, but I'd like to hear some alternatives.
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