As I was preparing this recipe last night, I began to laugh as I remembered Gary Larson’s “Far Side” illustration of the “Boneless Chicken Ranch”.  When it first appeared in the newspaper back in the 1980’s, my husband and I thought it was so funny, we displayed it on our refrigerator for months! Those poor chickens!  What a terrible way to live!

But when it comes to making a recipe, I’m very thankful for the availability of boneless chicken breasts! I realize they are a little more pricey than buying bone-in chicken, but I find the ease and time saved from not having to remove the bones is worth it!

Crispy Cheddar Chicken
(Serves 6)

Ingredients:
2 lbs. chicken tenders or 4 large chicken breasts
2 sleeves Ritz crackers
1/4 teaspoons salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/2 cup whole milk
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 teaspoon dried parsley

Sauce:
1 10 ounce can cream of chicken soup
2 tablespoon sour cream
2 tablespoon butter

Directions:
Set oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray.

Crush crackers in a gallon-sized zip lock bag. If using chicken breasts and not tenders, cut each chicken breast into 3 large pieces. Pour the milk into a small bowl and in another bowl, stir together the salt and paper, cheese and crackers. Dip each piece of chicken into the milk and then the cracker/cheese mixture. Generously press and mold the cracker mixture around the chicken with your fingers and lay the chicken inside the pan. Once all of the chicken is in the pan, cover with any remaining cracker mixture and sprinkle the dried parsley over the chicken. Cover the pan with tin foil and bake at 400 degrees for 35 minutes. Remove the tin foil, bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the edges of the chicken are golden brown and crispy.

In a medium sized sauce pan combine the cream of chicken soup, sour cream and butter with a whisk. Stir it over medium high heat until the sauce is nice and hot. Serve over the chicken.

Delicious! And wonderful served with mashed taters and a vegetable or side salad!

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:
When Christians lack the power to stand, I wonder if the enemy views us in a similar way to the boneless chicken ranch . . . as “spineless little chickens”, prime for his recipe of destruction? In that scenario, what an easy target we would be for a good kick in the head . . . or perhaps a 40-yard punt into a territory we were trying to avoid!

When faced with a situation where we’re feeling a little “weak in the knees”, what is our best recourse? How do we remain standing?

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”  (Ephesians 6:10-17)

And the last verse of this passage is key:

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6: 18)

The best way to remain standing is to first kneel.

“For this reason [seeing the greatness of this plan by which you are built together in Christ], I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, For Whom every family in heaven and on earth is named [that Father from Whom all fatherhood takes its title and derives its name].  May He grant you out of the rich treasury of His glory to be strengthened and reinforced with mighty power in the inner man by the [Holy] Spirit [Himself indwelling your innermost being and personality].” (Ephesians 3:14-16 Amplified)

Amen?

Amen!

–Cheri Henderson