A Southern Grace: fingers, strips, tenders, what-have-you

August 4, 2009

fingers, strips, tenders, what-have-you

Yum

I haven’t had chicken tenders since my undergraduate days.


Here’s what I remember: 1)I typically ate way more at a time than is advised for a person of my size (ah, the perils of buffet-style dining), and 2)honey mustard was a necessity.

So that’s what popped into my head when I received an offer from Applegate Farms to sample some of their organic chicken products. In addition to some wonderful chicken patties, I couldn’t resist requesting some chicken strips. Would they be as fabulous as my memory suggested?

Indeed, the chicken fingers sent along were terrific, requiring no honey mustard. The fact that they’re made from premium cuts of 100% certified organic chicken breast and thigh meat, with absolutely no fillers, binders, or artificial ingredients of any kind is quite the added bonus!


Disclaimer: The idea for condiment art (albeit a less successful attempt)
was shamelessly stolen from
Annie

Applegate Farms puts out lots of first-rate products, from deli meats to cheese, and from other frozen meats to the cleverly-titled Joy Stick. I’ll be on the lookout for more of their goods. Not only did they help me fill my belly, but they also brought back some fond college food memories. Is there any particular food that causes you to reminisce?

51 comments:

Leslie said...

mmmm..they look homemade!
Food that makes me reminisce....cheese sticks!

Albany Jane said...

Neato. I like to make chicken fingers at home by just thinly slicing breasts into strips, maybe giving them a little wash or something and rolling them in panko and baking them.

Anonymous said...

Those do look yum! Homemade popsicles in the tupperware containers take me back to hot, sticky days on the farm, and my mom would break out the most delish, cold,frozen melt on your tongue,sweet popsicle on a plastic holder...Strawberry was my favorite flavor!

kat said...

I don't remember getting anything as good as chicken tenders in school!

Ingrid_3Bs said...

I'm gonna keep my eye open for these as my kids DO NOT normally eat chicken tenders. It would be nice to be able to make something quick, easy , and somewhat healthy.
~ingrid

lisa is cooking said...

Food can definitely take me back. Just the other I was thinking about tater tots. Haven't had them in years!

hearts81 said...

We had FISH last night... need I say more?? These look a whole lot better, but if you aren't doing the cooking, you don't get a whole lot of say in the matter and last night wasn't my turn!

Jennifer said...

Those sound yummy I will have to try to find them in my grocery store! I love Corn Dogs and am trying to find a way to make them healthier!

Laura said...

I was never a huge chicken nugget/tender person, but I do have them around for my kids--and have discovered I rather like them myself. Yegads. I should try these--they probably knock the socks off of what we have been eating.

Creative Classroom Core said...

Looks amazing to me! Another great dish :)

Laura said...

I've been known to much on a chicken tender or two after a few glasses of wine!

Trying to keep my son away from them...so many kids refuse to eat ANYTHING besides chicken tenders. I do make them from scratch occasionally, and he enjoys them then!

Chef Jeena said...

Great to have a chicken strip that is just chicken with no other weird ingredients. :-)

La Bella Cooks said...

I still can't bring myself to like pre-made chicken products but my kids don't seem to mind! I may have to try this brand for them.

Pam said...

I'll be on the lookout for these - my kids love nuggets and I am always looking for healthier options.

Anonymous said...

I had great love for two things as a kid (and every once in a while still today)... chicken strips with mashed potatoes and pepper gravy... and fish sticks with mac and cheese. Mmmm...

Looks like I might be able to find some of their stuff about half an hour from where I live -- I may have to see what I can find next time I'm down that way!

Sandie said...

A food that causes me to reminisce? Truthfully? Chocolate covered strawberries---my husband hand fed them to me on our wedding night.

Wait...is that too racy for a food blog? ;)

Lately I've been into cooking homemade chicken tenders for a quick weeknight dinner. Using free-range chicken and my own seasonings, they taste better than anything I ever ate in college!

Maria said...

I need to make these for my little niece!

The Blonde Duck said...

I should get some for my husband. He's so picky about chicken. And he loves my fried chicken, but I've got a sneaking suspicioun these would be healthier...

Marjie said...

Honey mustard is a must with chicken.l Glad you enjoyed these!

anudivya said...

Yeah anything that reminds me of home is good any time! :)

Abby said...

My husband practically lives on chicken fingers and honey mustard. (Actually he puts that stuff on everything that stands still, including our 1-year-olds chunky thighs. Nom nom baby legs.)

pigpigscorner said...

These reminds me of chicken nuggets? Yum with the honey mustard!

Hornsfan said...

Looks yummy - is that a honey mustard/bbq hybrid I spy in the condiment art??

♥peachkins♥ said...

I was thinkin' of making chicken tenders with an aioli dipping..This upped my cravings..

Glenda said...

mmm, chicken fingers. i like mine spicy and hot!

Donna-FFW said...

I am so going to have to look for these. My kids live on them half the time. Would be nice to sneak in some healthiness:)

Jessica@FoodMayhem said...

I ate lots of chicken tenders in college too, frozen stuff that you could heat up in the toaster oven. I also made them into chicken parm heros.

Kate said...

"Is there any particular food that causes you to reminisce?"

OREOS!

Lindsey said...

I can't believe you haven't had them since your undergrad days...I guess I must eat way too much food that is bad for me...

Foodie with Little Thyme! said...

Looks great. Love the art. I'll try that too.
Snow cones remind me of summers spent sailing.

Unknown said...

I love chicken fingers. I just can't remember the last time I had them. maybe I need to hunt some down for lunch

Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella said...

These look delicious! Ahhyes chicken strips, been so long since I tried those! :D

Unknown said...

These look terrific,I think my grandfathers cinnamon rolls bring back tons of memories.

Barbara said...

I don't think I've ever had chicken tenders that I didn't make from scratch. But these look really good, Grace- and I love your condiment art no matter who you stole it from! When I was an undergrad we pigged out on donuts and pizza.

Lisa said...

As to reminiscing - Pink iced animal cookies and Campbell's tomato soup with smokey cheese crackers on top.

Teanna said...

Oh man, chicken tenders used to be my ultimate go-to snack! Pop them in the oven and eat them up! They got me through many-a-late night in college!

pam said...

I love Applegate Farms products. Everything that I have tried has been wonderful!

vanillasugarblog said...

love applegate, no crap in them and no chemicals--all natural.
have you tried bell & evans chick tenders? heavenly I tell ya.
I love a good horsey sauce with my nuggets.

MaryBeth said...

I love a good crispy chicken tender, I must have ranch with mine.

Karine said...

I have not had them for a long time now and I am craving for them!

Anita said...

Yummo - chicken strips are great!!

kellypea said...

Okay since we're taking a walk down memory lane here, I'm thinking my last bite of a chicken nuggie...erm...tender was when I'd bite into one to convince my youngest that his dinner was fabulous. The dinosaur shaped ones clearly were the most tasty. Hahahaha!

unconfidentialcook said...

I haven't had a graham cracker for decades because all we ate in our dorms was graham crackers with cinnamon butter!

Rosa's Yummy Yums said...

Mmmhhh, a delicious combination! Now, I'm hungry!

Cheers,

Rosa

Deborah said...

I love me some chicken tenders!

Jacque said...

Mmmm, lucky you! I'm glad you liked them, they do look good.

French onion soup and home made spaghetti sauce remind me of college. I made them by the gallon, which might explain why I never eat them now, LOL.

Marta said...

hahaha I think undergraduate years where the years of over-eating... that's why I ended up 20 lbs heavier! Oh, but how I enjoyed all those waffles and chicken tenders! hahaha
Delicious combo here with the honey mustard :)

kimberleyblue said...

i was actually never a fan of the chicken tenders...but i'd always be willing to give them another try!

maybe my palate has improved! :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

I don't remember the last time I had chicken tenders. That surely looks yummy.

Maris said...

You had me at "honey mustard was a necessity." I love any and all kinds of honey mustard, from spicy gourmet honey mustard to cheap, creamy salad-bar-buffet honey mustard.

My undergraduate poison was mozzarella sticks, probably worse for you, but I told myself they were good for me if I was going to be drinking. OH HOW WE LEARN :)

Grace, I wanted to make sure you knew that my blog has moved. I'm over at http://ingoodtasteblog.net (I have such a bad memory, you could have left a comment yesterday but going through my old emails I wasn't sure if I ever let you know!)

Hope you'll visit either way :)

Robin said...

I have recently got into dipping them into bbq sauce, not bad, but do like the honey mustard route too. When I was in school it was "wets" for us. French fries in brown gravy. Haven't had that in years! It is a very PA dutch thing to do.