Every mom knows that with kids, you’ll never go wrong with chicken recipes. It’s a staple in every kid’s favorites — which is also why chicken is a constant menu item in most restaurants.  Now that kiddos are in school, packing a delicious chicken school baon is not only irresistible, but a smart idea as well. But with busy moms who never run out of to-dos everyday, ease of cooking is a primary consideration. Here, Mega Prime gives you easy chicken recipes sure to make your little ones asking for more.

Chicken Pizza Burger

Kids equals burgers. And burgers equals happiness. Make that chicken burger, and you get wide-eyed happiness from your hungry school kids.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb. ground chicken
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 c. chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• Pinch of salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Ketchup or mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. canola oil
• 4 slices mozzarella
• 16 slices pepperoni
• 4 Hamburger buns
• Torn fresh basil, for garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Combine ground chicken, garlic, parsley and red pepper flakes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, mix well using a spatula.
2. Make 4 patties. You can be creative enough by forming fun shapes out of these patties.
3. Fry burgers on a skillet of oil over medium heat. Cook until golden brown on both sides.
4. Top burger patties with cheese and pepperoni; allow cheese to melt for 1-2 minutes.
5. Spread ketchup or mayonnaise on bun, add burger patty, and few basil leaves to taste.

Cream Chicken Mushroom Soup

School season is almost always synonymous with rainy, cold season. So what’s a yummy idea to wrap your little ones with a little warmth while in school? Yup, a good serving of creamy chicken mushroom soup. It’s a well-loved classic favorite that allows you to put delicious, nutritious ingredients sure to make your school kids’ little tummies happy and full. Ready for a little kitchen magic?  Let’s begin.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil  
• 1 pound boneless, diced chicken breasts
• 1/2 cup diced carrots
• 1 large rib celery, diced
• 12 to 16 ounces sliced Mega Prime mushrooms
• 1 clove minced garlic
• 4 green onions, sliced
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
• 4 cups unsalted chicken broth 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• black pepper to taste
• 3/4 cup heavy cream 

DIRECTIONS

1. Over low heat, put olive oil and butter in a large saucepan.
2. Once butter and oil are hot, put chicken, celery, and carrot. Keep on stirring until chicken is almost cooked.
3. Add mushrooms, garlic, and onion. Cook for at least 2 mins.
4. Stir in flour. Keep on stirring for 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and thyme. Continue stirring as it simmers.
5. Cover the pan, reduce the heat, cook for 10-16 minutes until chicken and veggies are already soft.
6. Add salt and pepper to taste, stir in cream, let it simmer for a few minutes. Serve.

Korean Fried Chicken

A fried chicken is a fried chicken—- says who? Nicknamed “candy chicken”, this Korean twist puts a little zing into your kids’ classic favorite. Crunchy on the outside with thick, sweet-and-spicy sauce that makes your kids want to have a bite, right away, right now. Put that excitement in a school lunch box and what do you have? Korean Fried Chicken, packed with mommy’s love. Here’s how to do it.

 INGREDIENTS

• Vegetable oil
• 1 tsp.  salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 lb. chicken wings
• 1 tbsp. freshly grated ginger
• 1/2 c. cornstarch

 For Sauce

• 3 tbsp butter
• 5 small dried red chilis, sliced
• 1 tbsp freshly minced ginger
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup red chili paste
• 2 tbsp ketchup
• 1 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
• 1/4 cup honey
• 2 tbsp packed brown sugar 

 For Garnish

• 1/2 cup cocktail peanuts
• 1 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1 green onion, sliced

 DIRECTIONS

1. Over medium-high heat, heat 4-6 cups of vegetable oil. Put paper towel on a large plate. plate. On a bowl, combine salt, pepper, baking powder, and garlic powder.
2. Remove excess water from chicken wings using paper towel. Rub them with grated ginger and salt mixture. On a bowl, mix wings with cornstarch. Squeeze coating on each wing.
3. Fry wings for 15 to 18 minutes. Remove wings from oil and put on a prepared plate. Set aside for a few minutes.
4. Heat oil, fry wings again until skin is crisp and crunchy for 7-8 mins. Remove wings and place on a large mixing bowl.
5. For the sauce:  In a saucepan, add butter, dried chilis, ginger and garlic. Over medium-low heat, cook for 2 mins. Stir in chili paste, ketchup, vinegar, and soy sauce. Simmer. Stir in honey and brown sugar, and cook until slightly thickened.
6. Pour sauce over wings, toss until evenly coated. Garnish with peanuts, sesame seeds and green onions.

For smart school baon, easy chicken possibilities are endless. They make your kids’ lunch boxes brim with excitement, sans the usual fare that they get everyday. With Mega Prime’s wide array of cooking partners, everyday is a #pinadali, #pinasarap day to look forward to.