Gluten Free Chicken Skewers
There is something about food on a stick that is oh so fun. The past few weekends we have been taking our kids out for Thai food. They are in love with chicken satay skewers. I decided to play around a bit to make a gluten-free recipe that everyone can enjoy. If you want authentic Thai flavors, then whisk up a batch of my Peanut Coconut Lime Sauce. It’s a great dip or sauce!
With these chicken skewers I keep the flavor profile neutral, yet very tasty. Sort of a canvas for you leave as is or make some tweaks to. In other words, you can flavor them however you wish…
I was so excited to discover the Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Gluten Free Cereal, As we all know cereal isn’t only for breakfast. I figured this would make a great “breading” for chicken and boy was I right! This was an amazing discovery that I couldn’t wait to share with you.
We love it straight out of the box as a snack too. With juicy raisins…
When it comes to poultry I always use the best organic chicken I can find. Our spice rack is filled with every seasoning and spice imaginable so we can make flavor magic on a whim. My go-to seasonings for savories are garlic sea salt, black pepper and sweet smoked paprika. Have you ever had smoked paprika? If not, then you must. If you have had it then you know how much flavor just a small amount adds to your cooking. All I did to make the breading was grind up the crispy brown rice cereal with the seasonings in my food processor.
How easy is this? Trim your chicken, give it a quick dip in egg batter, a coating of these seasoned brown rice crumbles, pierce with skewers and heat the chicken in a hot pan. Dinner was ready in a matter of minutes. My kids were impressed and enjoyed them again for lunch the next day.
You can easily change the flavor of these by adding a few dashes of your favorite spices. Some varieties can include curry powder, Herbes de Provence, Thai seasoning blend or tandoori spices. Make your own magic by mixing things up.
These skewers are so simple to prepare and I make a Big Batch so we can enjoy them for a few meals. They also make a great appetizer for parties.
Serve your skewers with dips. Everyone I know loves to dip no matter how old they are. Ketchup, hot sauce, ranch dressing or my peanut sauce mentioned above are all great choices. How about this pesto aioli? That would be tasty too!
I like mine with spicy salsa.
Enjoy this recipe as a main course with a side of rice or quinoa. It is also great with steamed veggies or a side salad. Chop the chicken into bite sized pieces and serve on a bed of mixed greens with ripe cherry tomatoes, sliced strawberries and pecans for a satisfying salad. How about tossing with pasta? You can use a rice pasta if you want to keep things gluten free.
The sky is the limit. Have fun with healthy & delicious food.
Gluten Free Chicken Skewers Recipe
makes about 15 skewers
Ingredients
2 pounds organic Chicken Breast, trim excess fat and cut into 1/4 inch pieces lengthwise
2 large Eggs, whisked
2 1/2 cups (45 grams) Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Gluten Free Cereal
a few pinches of cracked Black Pepper, Garlic Salt and Smoked Paprika
1 tablespoon dried Oregano
Grapeseed or Olive Oil
15 wooden skewers, soak in water 30 minutes prior to using (you need to do this so the skewers do not burn)
Method
In a food processor grind seasonings and rice cereal until you have a fine crumb (leave out the oregano.) Put mixture in a bowl, stir in the oregano last. Dip chicken in eggs, let excess drip off. Coat with the rice crumbs. Carefully thread each piece of chicken onto a soaked skewer. Be sure that the skewer goes through the center of the chicken. Brush some oil in a grill pan. Heat pan over medium high heat. Reduce heat to medium and grill the chicken for about 4-5 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through.
Recipe and photos © Marla Meridith.
Be well!
Marla
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Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:24:00
recipe looks wonderful. My kids would really enjoy this and saves $$ vs buying the GF nuggets. Def. on my cooking list !
Linda @ Lemon Drop
http://lemondropsfoodie.blogspot.com/
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:26:00
Looks. Insanely. Awesome. To. The. Max.
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:27:00
What a perfect looking meal. Your photos are stunning, what a talented photographer. Will be making this chicken for sure!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:28:00
I love the idea of using cereal as “breading” – which is oftentimes avoided when gluten-free. I’m excited to try this!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:28:00
This is a GREAT recipe for gluten free chicken skewers. What a great idea. I know my kids would love this!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:33:00
What a fun and creative recipe! I adore the Thai food and I love how you improvised a gluten-free breading using cereal–it’s a “kitchen trick” I’ve heard of before and have always found smart. Although I don’t have children, I have two nephews and many friends with children and I love passing on healthy recipe ideas to them since they often have a need for creative yet healthy recipes for their families. I’ll be passing this along for sure. As always, your pictures are lovely to look at as well.
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:18:00
Thanks Flavia! Hope your nephews & buddies enjoy…great for adults too. These days sounds like everyone packs a lunch box!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:34:00
Love this creative take on chicken fingers and I have a feeling my kids would too. Thanks, Marla!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:17:00
Aimee, they are a great replacement for store bought chicken fingers & nuggets.
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:39:00
Oh so tasty looking. Can’t wait to make them. Beautiful photos!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:16:00
Thanks Diane
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:40:00
this looks so awesome! I just bought that cereal the other day for energy bars… thank you!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:16:00
This cereal will be awesome in energy bars ~ must try over at my house too!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 06:41:00
Smoked paprika and I have met, and I am completely enamored by it. These chicken skewers are a wonderful twist on the usual. I’m certain my kids would go crazy for them.
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:15:00
Thanks Dara! We use smoked paprika in everything
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:22:00
LOVE your idea of “breading” the chicken with Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Gluten Free Cereal. And gorgeous pictures, as always, Marla!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 07:55:00
Yum! Looks good, Marla!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 08:07:00
nice job Marla- everything looks beautiful and delicious. your kids are very lucky to have such a good mommy.
Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:03:00
“Breaded chicken” is one of our family’s favorites! Easy to make and so versatile!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:30:00
Looks DELISH!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 11:44:00
They look so good Marla! Love that they are gluten free!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 15:47:00
This is a really healthy & fun alternative to the not-so-healthy chicken nugget. I am sure kids go crazy for these!
Feb 15, 2012 @ 18:57:00
I’m with your kids on this one…chicken satay is so good! Thanks for sharing this gluten free version.
Feb 16, 2012 @ 03:41:00
You’ve somehow made skewers look sexy…and I did NOT think that was possible!
Feb 16, 2012 @ 06:13:00
Ha! Joanne, love that
Feb 18, 2012 @ 18:30:00
Joanne, “sexy” LOVE THAT!!!
Feb 16, 2012 @ 06:13:00
Louise, thanks for that! So sweet
Feb 16, 2012 @ 12:58:00
Looks beautiful!
Feb 16, 2012 @ 13:10:00
these look very tasty – especially with a spicy salsa to dip – I think I would use coconut oil on the grill pan as I have been reading so many negative things about olive oil at high heat – what say you?
Feb 18, 2012 @ 18:29:00
Lucy, I have heard mixed things about olive oil. I do still use it though. I use loads of unrefined coconut oil these days too. This recipe would be great with that! I say go for it.
Feb 16, 2012 @ 17:13:00
Oh my family would love these!
Feb 16, 2012 @ 17:38:00
I love the idea of using the rice cereal as the breading! That’s such a clever way to make a gluten-free breading.
Feb 18, 2012 @ 18:27:00
Sylvie ~ a great, tasty & quick way to make a GF breading. You would never miss traditional bread crumbs either!
Feb 16, 2012 @ 21:55:00
I am a big fan of Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice Gluten-Free Cereal for crispy chicken tenders. I bake them and my son loves the crispy coating. Love the spice combinations you suggest.
Feb 18, 2012 @ 18:26:00
Jeanette, I should have known you would be a big fan of Erewhon Brown Rice Cereal too ~ so many uses other than a great bowl of cereal
Feb 26, 2012 @ 08:27:00
I really want to add more gluten free recipes to our diet. This looks like one hubby would enjoy