Motherhood Mantras And Easy Honey Nut Breakfast Chicken

This #GiveABox sponsored post has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. As always, my memories and breakfast love are my own. #CollectiveBias

To give is to receive. And when it comes to giving something to a new parent, I draw on what I loved giving my kids most. Which by the second child; I realized the best things weren’t just the most expensive trinkets. It was also the little things that can create the best memories . 

 What I also realized by my second child? That free was fabulous. To reuse and repurpose. And that you still need great portraits taken for your walls. I also realized how absolutely awesome it was to feel noticed in the craziness that surrounds the bliss of babydom. Especially when being a Mom seemed to take up every ounce of my being.

Suddenly the meme’s and jokes of having multiple children made sense. And I realized it really was easier to depend on the things I knew would work. Foods got frozen. Clothes were upcycled. And I kept my pantry stocked with staples I could count on. Which we all know, I’m all about the food!

So when my first niece was born last December? I can’t even begin to relate how excited I was. And when she visits, I love knowing that I’ll keep things on hand for her to enjoy. Drooling up a storm now, the teeth and first foods are coming people! So knowing I can buy a box of Cheerios™ and give a free box right to her too? Bonus!

Because for me, introducing my kids with first foods was the hardest. I felt like a scientist shopping at the store rationalizing the breakdown factors of salvia vs carb dangers. But the big yellow box saved my day. And even sleep deprived, I knew it was one thing I could trust to give them.

And how could you not want to give his little munchkin everything? In fact, I picked up two boxes just the other day at Walmart. I always love the great programs General Mills highlights, and this one was easy to spot and redeem. After purchase, I opened the box and easily spotted the redemption code inside. A quick second later I entered the code and email at the Buy One Get One promotion website. Now my Brother will get an email to claim his free box for a coupon. Then he can shop for the free box of Cheerios™ at his local Walmart in Texas.

Even with my two having certainly grown up, I still love stocking our pantry with Cheerios™. And I’ve started using our favorite variety, the Honey Nut Cheerios™ in other recipes at home. One specifically, is whipping up a Honey Nut Breakfast Chicken.

A big fan of fried chicken, now I love baking my chicken in the oven. Depending on how much oil you use, this “fried chicken” method can save you up to 600 calories! So even on a crazy morning, its easy to preheat the oven to 350°.

I prep a glass 9×13 inch baking pan with just enough vegetable oil to cover the bottom (envision a 1/8″ depth). Then I blend down 2 cups of Cheerios™ to mix with 1/2 cup of all-purpose-flour. I combine this new breading mix with a handful of whole cereal in a brown paper lunch bag. Add salt to taste, which for us is 5-6 turns of freshly ground sea salt. For refined salt users, that estimates to about 1/4 tsp.

When it comes to the chicken, that can be easy too! Defrost chicken tenders the night before. Then after you rinse your chicken, drop it into the breading in your paper bag. All it needs is a quick shake and place the now breaded chicken into your baking dish. Slide into the oven to bake for 30 minutes.

 By the time you’re ready to head out the door…you’re breakfast is ready to serve. I love tossing some frozen hash-browns into a pan too. Or serving this chicken up with hot waffles. All from the freezer, and the perfect semi-homemade dish for starting out the day with a full belly and happy smiles.

First foods, hot breakfasts, and pantry favorites will always create the best memories for me. So make sure you share the love and make someone happy too today. Now tell me…are you a fan of Cheerios™? And what is your biggest memory when your children were little?