Kid-Friendly Meals Using Chicken

Do you need a quick idea to serve all those hungry munchkins in your home? We’ve come up with a few ideas that will not only satisfy the tummy, but these recipes allow for the older kids to prepare the meals and the little ones are able to help out as well.

Cooked chicken, such as leftover chicken thighs from last night’s dinner or even a store-bought rotisserie chicken, can be a real helper in the kitchen, especially when there are kids looking for something to eat. It allows you, or even better, the kids themselves, to prepare a quick and easy meal that’s both delicious and nutritious.

The Chicken Panini sandwiches are so customizable that everyone can make their sandwich their way. Don’t have a panini press? No problem. Just prepare it in a skillet like you would a grilled cheese and wait until the cheese is nice and melty and the bread is golden brown.

Chicken Panini

Ingredients

1 chicken breast(s), roasted or grilled

sliced assorted peppers (red, orange, yellow, green)

sliced mushrooms

sliced red onion(s)

sliced garlic, diced and grilled separately

mozzarella, provolone, or brie cheese

2 slices bread or 2 slices panini bread

light mayonnaise

olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat your panini press or indoor grill. Spread a small amount of mayo onto the inside and olive oil on the outside of each slice of bread. Grill for 2-3 minutes.
2. Layer the chicken, cheese, and veggies on the inside of one slice of bread. Cover with the remaining slice of bread. Place on panini press or grill.
3. Press the sandwiches firmly together. Continue to grill for 4-5 minutes – until the cheese has melted and the bread is golden brown and a bit crispy.

Additional Tip – tomato and lettuce can be added to the panini as well if desired.

Are you looking to kick things up a bit? Kick your ordinary cheese on toast up a notch with the addition of curried chicken. This recipe can be ready in just 15 minutes, and this recipe works well with all kinds of bread, from bagels to rye, or whatever you have on hand.

Hot Curried Cheese & Chicken Toasts

Ingredients

¼ cup red onion, finely minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

½ tsp curry powder

¼ cup sour cream, light

1 cup chicken, cooked and diced

4 slices bread, whole-grain

Instructions

1. Preheat broiler. Finely mince onion and garlic. Mix with shredded cheese, curry powder, sour cream and cooked chopped chicken.
2. Spread over your favourite thin bread slices or crackers. Heat under broiler until melted and starting to brown and bubble. Don’t walk away from this… it will only take 2-3 minutes.
3. Let cool for a few minutes. Cut bread slices into 4 equal pieces.

Additional Tip – for fancier occasions that call for fast snacks you can garnish with chopped fresh herbs, sliced olives, or bits of tomatoes.

If you are looking to be outside in the backyard and want to light up the grill – try these moist chicken burgers made with ground chicken, milk, and breadcrumbs.

Chicken Burgers

Ingredients

1 lb ground chicken

⅓ cup breadcrumbs

⅓ cup milk

¼ cup green onions, chopped

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

tomato

sliced cucumber

sliced green onion

sliced lettuce

mayonnaise

6 whole wheat pitas or hamburger rolls

Instructions

1. Combine chicken, bread crumbs, milk, chopped green onions, Worcestershire sauce, and salt and pepper and form into patties.
2. BBQ or fry for approximately 5 minutes per side or until the meat thermometer registers 165°F (74°C).
3. Serve on a whole wheat bun or in a pita shell garnished with sliced tomato, cucumber, green onion, lettuce, and mayonnaise.

These kid-friendly meals are not only simple to put together, but they are also healthy options for you and the kids. And the best part – they can help to put the meals together with you! Have the kids put together the grocery list. We would love to see them come shopping at our Farm Store. We will even lend a hand and offer our advice on the best cuts of meat for their recipe or dinner idea!