Chicken Herb Lollipops and Dip
This recipe calls for a few steps. After cooking in pan for two minutes on each side place in oven at 350 degrees for 10 minutes
I pretty much stick to easy recipes to create that are loaded with nutrition. This recipe takes grit - a few steps involved, although, I break it down with simple directions. It’s a fun dish and has a holiday feel. The kids will love - bye bye sugary lollipops and hello protein rich, herbal infused, spicy, and delicious lollipops. Everyone’s happy!
As you figured out by the title of this recipe I use chicken. If you are a vegan or vegetarian eater - a firm tofu is the way to go. Genia’s Tip: drain the tofu from any moisture so the tofu can absorb the taste and cook well. FYI, I have never made this recipe using tofu, although, I have much experience cooking with tofu - trust me - the draining process and even tilting the tofu slightly on a cutting board for extra drainage makes a difference in the cooking process.
Chicken Herb Lollipops
Mise En Place - prepare to succeed
Recipe:
6 boneless chicken breasts cut into rectangles or squares
1 cup panko crumbs - store bought or homemade
1 cup of roughly grounded matzahs (3-4 matzah boards or bread - to combine with panko crumbs - use a food processor to coarsely grind the matzahs
1 tsp dried rosemary or thyme
1/2 cup fresh parsley - finely minced
1/2 cup matzah meal - use this to dry the chicken before dipping into eggs
3 eggs, beaten
Oil for pan - I use avocado or grapeseed oil
preheat oven to 350 degrees
Wet wooden skewers in advance so they don’t burn when you cook and bake with them -these are your lollipop sticks
Combine panko crumbs, ground matzah, dried rosemary or thyme and fresh parsley
Prepare a few plates: 1-matzah meal, 2-eggs, 3-panko crumbs
Rinse the chicken and place on cutting board and cut into short rectangle or square shapes - two inches wide and three inches long
Stick a skewer into each piece of chicken
Dip each skewered chicken in the matzah meal and shake off excess crumbs
Dip in the eggs and than dip into the panko herb crumbs
In a large skillet add oil and place the chicken lollipops in the pan over medium heat turning every two minutes on each side
Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 10 minutes
Mise En Place - the shawarma spice mix is a combo of lots of spices - worth making extra for other dishes: proteins and veggies
Chicken Lollipop Dip
Add the sauce on plate next to lollipops - get creative on how you place your dip on your plate
1 tbsp avocado or mayonnaise or vegenaise
1 tsp lime juice
1/4 shawarma spice - homemade is easy - recipe below -store leftover spice in glass jar with lid
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
You can use avocado or mayonnaise or vegenaise for your dip. The combo of ingredients in this recipe is SO delish!
Shawarma Spice - Homemade
This is a homemade spice mix. You can use this spice for so many dishes: proteins and/or sprinkle on your veggies. I’m a huge fan! I absolutely love shawarma - took me awhile to pronounce that word but my kids set me straight. It’s a Middle Eastern dish that you can buy in the streets of Israel and NYC - I stick to the kosher shawarma, though. It’s a heavily spiced (a.k.a the recipe below) marinated meat: beef, lamb, chicken or turkey. The best shawarma is made on a rotisserie stick. I’m not a big meat eater but shawarma once in awhile is a treat. If you want some reputable recommendations for kosher shawarma reach out. Love talking food!
2 tbsp paprika
2 tsp cumin
2 tsp turmeric
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 tbsp all spice - optional
1/2 tsp onion powder - optional
1/2 tsp hot pepper flakes - optional
Combine all the spices in a bowl and mix well.
Store in a glass jar with tight lid to keep fresh and store next to your other spices
Genia’s Spoon Me Tips:
If you are creating this dish on passover there are kosher for passover seasoned crumbs on the market. You can also create your homemade panko with matzah - place in a food processor and add your favorite herbs and spices.
When it comes to homemade spices I choose my faves. The shawarma spice combination is pretty authentic. These are the actual spices that are used at the shawarma stands and Middle Eastern restaurants. I did the research!
I recycle my spice glass jars for times like this. Homemade spices stored in those little glass jars with lids and those covers to shake your spices out right from the jar is perfecto! Save and recycle your spice jars! Use a sharpie marker or sticky label to name your spice.
Spice up your kitchen and bring herbs in your home - bump up your culinary experience and have fun!
Much delicious love,
Genia