Baked Chicken Sandwiches with Caramelized Onions

One of my husband's favorite all-time meals is chicken sandwiches with french fries. In all honestly, it's been great to have something so simple and quick to rely on that I know he'll always like. I love this particular recipe because it has all the goodness and flavor of a fried chicken sandwich, but with the healthy and juicy benefits of a baked dish! I used a simple "shake-and-bake" seasoning packet that I bought at the store for mine, but seasoned breadcrumbs would work just as well. I also love the addition of the caramelized onions. They add just a hint of sweetness without overpowering the spices of the chicken, and make for a very delicious and healthy meal! We had this last night on toasted dinner rolls with a side of baked fries and freshly cut pineapple. (Photo courtesy of Anne Strawberry)

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into medium pieces
• 1/2 package shake-and-bake seasonings
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 4 slices cheddar cheese
• 1 cup onions, cut into long strips
• 1 Tbsp. butter
• 5-6 small sandwich buns/rolls
• fresh lettuce leaves
• freshly cut tomatoes

Pour the chicken, shake-and-bake seasoning and garlic powder into a large ziploc bag and shake thoroughly until all pieces are coated. Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, or until cooked through and crispy on the outside. While the chicken is baking, place the onions and butter into a medium skillet and cook over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, stirring frequently. Onions will become soft and will have a light caramel color to them. After chicken is cooked, place cheese slices on top of the chicken. Place back in the oven for 1-2 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Layer chicken, onions, lettuce tomatoes, and other condiments onto sandwiches and eat warm.

Tip: For toasted bread, simply slice open the buns and lay them cut-side down onto the greased cookie sheet. Place under broiler for 1-2 minutes or until warm and slightly toasted. Remove from oven and top with butter or mayonnaise before adding the sandwich ingredients.