Ready for a spooky spin on a classic comfort food? 👻🍗🧀
This week's recipe is Spooky Chicken Parm Sliders! Crispy, golden chicken cutlets are layered onto soft Hawaiian rolls with savory tomato sauce, melty cheese, and garlic butter. Add some cheese “monster teeth” and olive “eyeballs,” and you've got a Halloween-inspired meal that's just as fun to make as it is to eat.
These sliders are perfect for a Halloween party, game night, family dinner, or a fun weekend meal with the kids. Chicken provides a satisfying source of protein, while tomato sauce adds a boost of lycopene and the Parmesan brings plenty of savory flavor. Sometimes nutrition is also about enjoying food, sharing a meal, and having a little fun in the kitchen! 🎃
Let’s dig in!
Total time: 45 Minutes | Prep Time: 25 Minutes | Cook Time: 20 Minutes
Servings: 12
Ingredients
1 pack Roll sliders
1 lb chicken breast, sliced thin and into mini cutlet sized pieces
3 eggs
1 1/2 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2/3 cup Rao tomato sauce
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp minced garlic
More grated parm for topping sliders
Green olives with pits
Neutral oil for frying (optional)
Instructions:
Prepare the Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts into small, mini cutlet-sized pieces. If needed, gently pound the chicken thinner so the pieces cook evenly. Season with your preferred seasonings.
Set Up the Breading Station: In one bowl, whisk the eggs. In a separate bowl, combine the Italian breadcrumbs, panko breadcrumbs, and Parmesan cheese. Set out an additional plate for the breaded chicken.
Bread the Chicken: Dip each piece of chicken into the whisked egg, making sure it is completely coated. Transfer to the breadcrumb mixture and press gently so the breading sticks. Place each breaded cutlet onto the clean plate. Once all the chicken is breaded, refrigerate for 10–15 minutes to help the breading set.
Cook the Chicken: Choose one of the following cooking methods:
Pan-Fry: Heat a neutral oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully add the breaded chicken and fry for a few minutes on each side, until golden brown, crispy, and cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
Oven-Bake: Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C). Place the breaded chicken on a parchment-lined baking sheet or wire rack set over a baking sheet. Lightly spray or brush both sides with oil. Bake for 18–22 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Air-Fry: Preheat the air fryer to 400°F (200°C). Lightly spray the air fryer basket and arrange the breaded chicken in a single layer, working in batches if needed. Lightly spray the tops with oil and air-fry for 10–14 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, crispy, and the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
Prepare the Rolls: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Slice the Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally while keeping the rolls connected, and place them on a baking sheet.
Make the Garlic Butter: Melt the butter and stir in the Italian seasoning and minced garlic. Brush the garlic butter generously over the tops of the Hawaiian rolls. Bake for 10–15 minutes, or until the rolls are lightly browned and toasted to your liking.
Create the Halloween Toppings: Cut slices of cheese into small “monster teeth” shapes. Warm the tomato sauce in a small saucepan. Place the green olives onto toothpicks to create spooky “eyeballs.”
Assemble the Sliders: Place a crispy chicken cutlet onto each roll and top with warm tomato sauce, extra Parmesan, and the cheese “teeth.” Add the olive toothpicks to create the spooky eyeball effect.
Serve: Serve the sliders warm with extra tomato sauce on the side for dipping. Enjoy your spooky creation! 👻🍗
Nutrition Facts
330 calories | 21 g protein | 27 g carbs | 15 g fat | 1 g fiber
Tatum’s Recipe Hacks:
✨ Refrigerating the breaded chicken before frying is worth the extra few minutes! It helps the coating adhere to the chicken so you get a crispier crust instead of losing the breading in the pan.
🫒 Olives are technically fruits, not vegetables! They grow on trees and are naturally rich in healthy monounsaturated fats, which help give them their smooth texture and savory flavor.
Let’s work together! Want individualized meal and snack ideas that align with your nutrition and wellness goals?
Contact me at tatum@equilibriumnutrition.net for more questions.
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Cheers to thriving together!
