Oriental Chicken

Chicken:

3 pounds chicken (I used 3 large chicken breasts bone with a weight of about 2 ½ lb)

Marinade:

1/3 cup soy sauce

1/4 cup oil

1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 fresh garlic cloves, pressed – I used 2 Tbsp. minced garlic)

2 teaspoons five spice powder

1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger (I cut this down to ¼ tsp. ginger)

1 tablespoon dry sherry (this I didn’t use)

In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup soy sauce, 1/4 cup oil, such as light olive oil or peanut oil, 1 teaspoon garlic powder or 2 fresh pressed garlic cloves, 2 teaspoons five-spice powder, 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger and 1 tablespoon dry sherry, and use as a marinade.

Marinate Chicken

In a large plastic or ceramic container with a lid, place the 3 pounds chicken.

Pour the marinade over all the pieces, turning until all the pieces are coated evenly.

Cover and marinate at least 1 hour, and up to overnight.

Cook Chicken

Bake in a 375-degree F. oven (basting once or twice), or grill, for about 45 minutes or until done.

COMMENTS:  As you can see I used a little less chicken, minced garlic, less ginger (too strong for me) and eliminated the sherry.  This marinated for about 24 hrs.  As it baked I would baste with the drippings (not the leftover marinate).  This came out so moist.  The flavors flowed throughout the chicken and was delicious.  I ate some as it was and some on a salad that I drizzled with an oriental dressing, sesame sticks and some roasted peanuts.  This made a wonderful meal.

Cheese Nip Chicken Strips

1/2  lb. chicken tenderloins or breasts cut into strips (1" wide)

1/2 stick butter or margarine, melted

1 cup Cheese Nips

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a baking dish large enough to hold all strips without them touching.  Crush the Cheese Nips.  Blend in the garlic salt and pepper.  Melt the butter and pour over the chicken, tossing to coat.  Add the Cheese Nips and mix to coat.  Place the chicken strips in the baking dish, sprinkle with any leftover Cheese Nip crumbs.  Bake 15-20 minutes depending upon the size of the strips, until done and the crumbs are crispy.  Serves 2-4 depending upon how hungry you might be.

Martha:  I found a recipe for a dish that used Ritz Crackers crushed and a couple of herbs added to the crumbs.  When I went to get my Ritz from the pantry I spotted a box of Cheese Nips and decided to give them a try instead of the Ritz.  After crushing the Nips in my processor I decided I wanted the cheese taste so I used the pepper and added the garlic salt and eliminated any other herbs.  I also poured the crumbs over the chicken instead of dipping them in them.  Make sure you add the crumbs while the butter is still melted or the coldness of the chicken will firm it back up.  If you're a cheese lover, this is a recipe you must try.  The kids will go wild over this.