What’s for Dinner – Crispy Yogurt Chicken

I was up until 12:30 last night racking my brain (and searching everywhere on the internet) to find one more meal this week!  I kept seeing the deal at Publix on Chicken Legs, but I’ve never in my life cooked a chicken leg, so I just wasn’t ready to commit!  I even searched all my favorite cooking sites, but couldn’t find anything that I was courageous enough to try.

Finally, at 12:15 AM, I remembered The Pioneer Woman (she’s my new hero).  I knew that she would know how to cook up some chicken legs, so I was thrilled when I found her Crispy Yogurt Chicken Recipe (I know, it sounded wierd to me too!)  But I made these for dinner tonight and they were soooooooo good!  And really not that hard!  And . . . I cooked a chicken leg (I am so stinkin’ impressed with myself.)  Here’s what you need to make some yummy chicken at your house too . . .

2 cups plain unflavored yogurt I could only find the Publix brand priced at 2/$.89 that didn’t have any flavoring

2 cloves garlic

parsley, to taste

1 whole juice of lemon

Chicken Legs (or thighs) Both on sale $1.29/lb.

Salt to taste

2 cups Panko Bread Crumbs can substitute with plain bread crumbs or probably even crushed crackers

Butter all I had was Country Crock Spread, which worked fine, but I’m betting the butter might make them a little crunchier.  Shedd’s Spread Country Crock BOGO $1.89, use $0.40/1 Shedd’s Country Crock Spread All You Aug 2010 (exp 9/30/2010  – HURRY!)

Pour yogurt into small bowl.  Peel & mince garlic, add garlic to the yogurt.  Chop fresh parsley (or use parsley flakes) and add to the yogurt.  Add lemon juice & mix together. 

Rinse chicken and pat dry (gross!)  Sprinkle with Kosher salt (can substitute with a little table salt). 

In another bowl place bread crumbs.  Sprinkle with salt and stir lightly.  Butter a baking dish, and with tongs place the chicken, one piece at a time into the yogurt mixture.  Turn to coat thoroughly.  Then roll chicken in bread crumbs.  Cover each piece with bread crumbs and place in baking dish. 

Place slice of butter over the large part of each chicken piece.  Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 1 – 1 1/4 hours, removing foil for the last 15 minutes of cooking. When chicken is pretty and golden, remove and serve!

Serve with . . .

Bush’s Best Baked Beans or Grillin Beans On Sale $1.66

Green Giant Frozen Vegetables On Sale $1, use $0.50/1 Green Giant Frozen Vegetables, $0.60/3 Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables, $.60/3 Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables 9/12/2010 GM Insert (exp 11/6/2010)

Pillsbury Italian Loaf On Sale $1.66, use $0.40/2 HERE or HERE

Recipe from the Pioneer Woman.  Be sure to visit her site for a step by step tutorial on these (along with beautiful pictures!)  Also, thanks to I Heart Publix and Two Thrifty Sisters for the coupon matchups, and check out $5 Dinner Mom for bargain meal deals.  If you need a little more menu inspiration, you can also visit the Recipe Index.

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