JJ's MOCK Fried chicken! Figure Friendly!!

Just in time for Sunday dinner! Run, don't walk to the store and buy these ingredients! This is a "10"!

I love fried chicken, in so many ways....it speaks to my soul, growing up with it every Sunday. However, I cringe at the thought of all that FAT! Thank goodness I have perfected a healthier oven-baked version, with a surprise ingredient, that tastes just as savory and juicy as the indulgent original. The original being "Dot's Sunday Fried Chicken", my Mom's fried chicken. We looked forward to this delicious, succulent fried chicken every Sunday, served with baked potatoes, green beans with bacon and buttermilk biscuits! YUM!
 
I created this recipe in the 1990's, when "Fat Free" was the way to go. I jumped on the band wagon with everyone else, discarding "Fat" like it wasn't necessary and working on recipes to make them "Fat Free"! Of course, we all know now that good fat is an important part of our diet. This uses cooking spray to create that crispy skin we love.........after all, whats the point of skinless fried chicken?
 

JJ's Mock Fried Chicken

1 frying chicken, cut up into pieces
1 Package Good Season's Italian Dressing mix 
1/3 c. all purpose flour
1 Tablespoon Lawry's seasoning salt

1/2 tsp. Freshly ground pepper

Butter flavor cooking spray

Preheat oven to 375 F
Place all the dry ingredients in a plastic zip lock bag, or as my Mother did (and I'm sure yours) in a brown paper bag. Give it a good shake to mix it up, add the chicken 3-4 pieces at a time, and shake again.

Spread the chicken pieces out on a sided baking sheet, lined with parchment or Silpat. Spray with cooking spray.

Bake in oven for 50 minutes, until internal temperature is 175 degrees F. and the outside of the chicken is crispy.

I served with "Cheesy Potatoes" with a crispy corn flake topping. I will post soon, however, would not fall into the "Figure Friendly" series.

Getting the final pictures became a project! I made this delicious Mock Fried Chicken for a recent family gathering, went to get my camera and came back to an empty basket!! NO KIDDING!! So with family hovering over this basket, I snapped 4 pictures before the tongs were flying!! I love it! My sweet son said, "It's awesome!"

Whether you take it along on a picnic, serve it up for your football party or serve it at home for a family supper, this updated classic is a tasty version without all the fat!

 

The countdown!! Three weeks to our cottage on the Atlantic!