McCormick brand crusting blends….

I saw this at the grocery store today.  It’s McCormick brand “Crusting Blends”. (7 oz. jar) I picked up the container and its made with panko bread crumbs and different kinds of seasonings.  They had this flavor(Italian herb & cheese) or garlic, onion and rosemary flavor, or french onion, peppers and herbs.  It looked fantastic and I could picture myself making my baked chicken tenders with this.  But the price?  $4.99. I don’t know about you, but even when I am careful with what I put in my cart, use coupons, and try to pick things on sale, it seems I am still spending a ton of money every week to feed my family of 5.  So, I thought to myself, I pretty much have all the spices already, lets see how much panko bread crumbs are.   So, I went over to that aisle and an 8 ounce package of panko bread crumbs was only $2.39. So, I put that in my cart, and headed home to make my baked chicken tenders.  I used the panko bread crumbs (1/2 the package), a little bit of Lawry’s seasoned salt, some Italian herbs and Parmesan cheese.  Baked chicken tenders

•  1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into tender sized pieces
• skim milk
• the breaded crumb mixture

I take the chicken tenders and soak them in skim milk for about 5 minutes.Using a gallon size zip-loc bag, I put the bread crumbs in that.Take a few chicken tenders at a time, place them in the bag and close and shake to coat the chicken.  Once all the pieces are coated, place them on a cookie sheet coated with cooking spray.  I have started using a silpat which helps the chicken not stick to the cookie sheet.   If you use the silpat, usually I just drizzle olive oil on the top to help make them crispier, but you don’t even have to use that.  Bake at 375 for about 20 minutes.  I will take one out and cut it in half just to make sure its cooked all the way through.  If you don’t want to take the healthier baking way, occasionally, by request, my family will ask me to fry them.  If you use this method, fill a skillet with canola oil, about an inch deep.  Turn the heat on the oil until it gets hot (if you flick water into the pan and it sizzles, the oil is ready).  Cook on each side for 3 minutes.  Once you remove it from the pan, I sprinkle salt on top.   The baked way is my preferred way, and with my new homemade panko bread crumb seasonings, now its even better!