Friday, October 28, 2011

Chicken Scary-aki (Monster Fingers)


One of my favorite recipes from THE DIVA HAUNTS THE HOUSE is Chicken Scary-aki, also known as Monster Fingers!  You won't believe how much a chicken tender can look like a withered monster finger.  When you're adding almonds as fingernails, don't look just for perfect slices.  Ragged ones look like broken fingernails!

Be sure to get to the rest of the Halloween festivities faster by using aluminum foil for super quick clean-up!




3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup soy sauce
2 teaspoons minced garlic
6 tablespoons apricot preserves
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1 package chicken tenders (about 9 chicken tenders)
Almonds, sliced or halved

Whisk the cornstarch into the orange juice until dissolved.  Pour into a small pot, along with the soy sauce, garlic, apricot preserves, and ginger.  Stir or whisk.  Bring to a gentle boil, stirring constantly.  Cook at a gentle boil for approximately 1 minute, stirring.  Set aside to cool.

When cool, pour 1 cup of the sauce into a zip-top bag and add the chicken tenders.  Squeeze out any excess air and be sure the meat is covered with the sauce.  Marinate in the refrigerator at least one hour.  Refrigerate the remainder of the marinade.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.  Place the chicken tenders on the foil and squeeze any excess marinade in the bag onto them.

Place one almond slice or half on the pointy end of each chicken tender (as a fingernail).  Bake 15 minutes.

Heat the reserved marinade and serve in little bowls as a dipping sauce.



Bwahahahaha!




20 comments:

  1. Holy Cannoli, Krista, those chicken fingers gave me a fright. (I know, that's the point, lol!) Wonderful recipe, *especially* for a Diva with a Haunted House.

    Happy Halloween!
    ~ Cleo

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  2. I agree with Cleo, those fingers frightened me too but that is the point.

    So tel me whose recipe would that be .. Sophie or Natasha's? I think I can figure that one out :D

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  3. I have to try these. My picky eater (my youngest son) would love them. The only "real" food he eats is chicken. Maybe I'll scare up a batch for after Halloween Trick or Treating.

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  4. Those are so scary I couldn't make them. The sauce is the thing, I think, that is that touch that makes them perfect for big Halloween fans. I'm a wimp. No doubt my 12 & 10 year old boys would like them, though (and my 6 year old daughter, for that matter). I'm sure Sophie's niece Jen and her buddies just loved them ;).
    On a scale, Scooby Doo is as scary as I like.

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  5. LOL, Cleo! I was surprised by how real they looked when I added the fingernails.

    ~ Krista

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  6. BusyMom, Sophie makes them in the book. But then, she also had kids to feed. ; )

    ~ Krista

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  7. Booklady, I hope your son loves them. We did!

    ~ Krista

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  8. Christi, I'm stunned that everyone is so spooked by these! Pssst, it's really just chicken. Honest!

    ~ Krista

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  9. Oh my gosh, my kids would love these! Love them! And I love them because they're quick and easy. So cool...thanks, Krista!

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  10. LOL - Krista - It's the pointy tips, the nails, the sauce - oh, they're C-R-E-E-P-Y! They just look so SEVERED. They're a definite A+ Halloween-wise. I'm just a wimpy wimp.

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  11. wow, they really look like zombie fingers. Cool!

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  12. OK Krista...I'm actually going to forego a long time family tradition (from when I was a kid...before dirt was born!) of having grilled hot dogs and french fries Halloween night and make these instead! Even tho our wee ones are now 21 and 17 I think the visual will be worth it!! Perhaps we will now start a new tradition and always think of you :-)
    Nanc

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  13. After reading THE DIVA HAUNTS THE HOUSE a few weeks ago I was determined to make these for Halloween, but now that you've posted this today and I happened to have chicken tenders, they are now marinating in the fridge for dinner tonight!

    So clever and scary. WOOOOOO! Thanks, Krista!

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  14. Elizabeth, I hope your kids love them. They *are* quick and easy. Don't forget to use the aluminum foil for quick clean up!

    ~ Krista

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  15. Christi, you're not a wimpi wimp, you're a sweetie! Avery's cupcakes are probably more your Halloween style. Yummy and not nearly as scary!

    ~ Krista

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  16. Dru! I knew I could count on you! At last, someone who isn't grossed out. LOL!

    ~ Krista

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  17. Nanc, I would love being remembered every Halloween, even for something sort of creepy! Your babies won't be scared, but they might be surprised!

    ~ Krista

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  18. LOL, Lynn in Texas! I hope you like them. One wouldn't think an innocent chicken tender could be quite so monster-like!

    ~ Krista

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  19. I just started reading "The Diva Runs Out of Thyme" and I am hooked. Krista, I love the book. I can't wait to finish it and move onto the others. Looks like I have another series to love!!!

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