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2000s Recipes + Menus

Cheddar Chicken Tenders with Wilted Spinach

Serves4
  • Active time:10 min
  • Start to finish:30 min
October 2006
Don’t be surprised when this colorful, kid-friendly meal is also a hit with adults.
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheez-It Cheddar crackers (3 oz)
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 1/4 lb chicken tenders (not coated or cooked)
  • 1/3 cup Dijon mustard
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 (12- to 16-oz) bag baby spinach
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Put oven rack in lower third of oven and preheat oven to 475°F. Brush a large shallow baking pan with oil (2 tablespoons).
  • Pulse crackers in a food processor until finely ground, then transfer to a wide shallow bowl and stir in 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Toss tenders with mustard in a large bowl until coated, then dredge, 2 at a time, in cracker crumbs until evenly coated. Arrange tenders in 1 layer, without crowding, in oiled pan. Bake, turning over once, until golden brown, about 15 minutes total.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, then cook spinach, covered, turning with tongs, until spinach is just wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper, then serve spinach with chicken.