Dairy-Free Recipes

Spice Pasta with Popcorn Chicken

Ingredients:

6 cups egg noodles
3 cups broccoli
1 cup black beans
1 cup barley
1 cup edamame
2 cups diced red bell pepper
2 large chicken breasts
1/4 vegetable oil

For the breading:

1 egg
1/2 cup Flour
1/2 cup Panko Breadcrumbs
1 tsp Salt and Pepper
1 teaspoon Onion Powder
1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder
2 teaspoons Chilli Powder
1 teaspoon Oregano (dried)

For the sauce:

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup franks red hot sauce

Instructions:

Cut chicken breast into bite size pieces – about 1 inch

Rince barley and cook in pot following package directions

In a second pot place broccoli, beans, edamame and pepper. Add 3/4 cup of water and cover. Bring to boil then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes.

Pre-heat large skillet with oil on medium high heat

In a bowl combine flour, breadcrumbs, all seasonings, and mix well

In a separate bowl, whisk egg well. Add chicken and stir well to ensure all pieces are thoroughly coated in the egg.

Using large tongs, take all the chicken and drop it into the bowl of dry breading. This is to ensure no extra egg gets added to the bowl, which will change how the breading will stick to the chicken.

Using the tongs, toss the chicken carefully to again ensure they are all coated in the breading. Be careful not to over mix as it can start to remove the breading back off the chicken and make it just clump together.

Use the tongs to gently place all the batter-covered chicken in the hot frying pan of oil, placing them well spread out.

Cook, untouched, for approximately 5 minutes on each side, or until dark golden in color with crispy texture. They may stick together, this is okay as they will naturally break back apart when done; It also makes flipping easier. Flipping too will risk removing the batter from the chicken.

Prepare a plate with paper towel to place cooked popcorn chicken to soak up some, if any, excess oil.

In another bowl, prepare mayo and hot sauce combination and set aside.
Once all is cooked, add barley to the second pot and stir. Turn off heat but leave pot on hot burner, covered.

Cook noodles to package instructions. These usually only take 5 minutes once water has boiled. When done, strain and combine with vegetables.

Serve on a plate with popcorn chicken on top, drizzle with spicy mayo.

Serves 3 adults.