Madera County Museum

It’s week one of meal planning! Here you will find a free weekly menu plan with a printable shopping list. I wanted to take all of the stress and hassle out of what to make for dinner by providing you with delicious, easy, and family friendly dinners to make all week long.

This week’s Menu Plan includes some reader favorites like this delicious and easy Crockpot Bourbon Chicken!

What’s on the Menu?

This free Weekly Menu Plan is just what you need to get your week started. It provides 5 meals that will feed 4-6 (depending on if you are feeding adults or kids) AND it includes a shopping list! With fresh new ideas and easy to make recipes this weekly menu plan will be a life-saver.

Monday: Honey Glazed Salmon Bites

Tuesday: Million Dollar Spaghetti

Wednesday: Crockpot Bourbon Chicken

Thursday: Shredded Chicken Tacos

Friday: French Bread Pizzas

Each menu plan has a grocery list that is easy to print and convenient for taking with while grocery shopping. Simply cross off or check mark each grocery item as you go!

Post Updated on April 19, 2024

Originally Posted on June 20, 2015

Lemon crinkle cookies are thick, soft pillows of lemon deliciousness! They have a refreshing flavor with an irresistible chewy texture. The perfect balance of sweet and tart make these a welcome treat for any occasion!

Lemon-flavored desserts are delightful anytime of year, but I always crave them the most in the springtime! For some more delicious lemon treats, try making this Glazed Lemon Bread, this Lemon Tiramisu, or these Lemon Cheesecake Bars!

Lemon Crinkle Cookies Recipe

All you lemon lovers, get ready to be obsessed with these lemon crinkle cookies! They have a delightful brightness from the fresh lemon zest and juice, and the most wonderful texture. With soft, chewy, extra thick centers and slightly crisp edges, these will melt in your mouth in the most dreamy way!

Like my chocolate crinkle cookies, these are rolled in granulated sugar and confectioners’ sugar before baking. Then, while the cookies bake and get nice and puffy, the sugar coating cracks and leaves a gorgeous crinkled top. Even though these are great all year round, I especially love to bring them to celebrations in the spring and summer, like bridal showers, baby showers and Easter and Mother’s Day gatherings! They’re a hit with everyone who tries them!

Ingredients Needed

This lemon crinkle cookie recipe calls for most of the same ingredients you will find in other cookie recipes with the addition of our star ingredient, fresh lemon! All individual measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Sugar: 1 cup granulated sugar will perfectly balance the tangy lemon taste.

Lemon: Just the right amount of fresh lemon zest and fresh lemon juice give these a citrus flavor without being overly tart or sour.

Butter: Make sure your unsalted butter is at room temperature, so it will smoothly combine with the sugar.

Egg: One large egg to help bind the ingredients.

Egg Yolk: Using an extra egg yolk will create a chewier texture.

Vanilla extract: For extra flavor and sweetness.

Flour: Use all-purpose flour for that perfect tender texture.

Cornstarch: Just 1 tsp will yield a thicker, softer cookie. 

Baking essentials: Be sure to use fresh baking soda and baking powder for proper baking. If your baking soda has been opened for longer than 3 months old, you probably need to buy a new container. Baking powder typically lasts about 6 months.

Salt: To bring out and balance all of the amazing flavors in this recipe.

For rolling: A simple combination of granulated sugar and powdered sugar will create a sweet sugar coating making these absolutely irresistible!

How to Make Lemon Crinkle Cookies

This lemon crinkle cookie recipe is really easy to make! Just plan ahead for the necessary chilling of the dough. It’s an essential step that can’t be skipped!

Mix Zest, Sugar and Butter: Add the sugar and lemon zest to a large bowl and use a fork to combine them until the sugar is moist and fragrant. Add the butter and use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to beat the sugar and butter together on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes, until light and fluffy.

Add Egg and Vanilla: Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl before adding the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract and mix until just combined.

Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking soda, and baking powder to a medium bowl and whisk to combine. Add to the butter and sugar mixture and beat until just combined. Cover the bowl and chill for at least 2 hours.

Shape, Coat and Bake

Make the Topping: After the dough is done chilling, preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line 2-3 baking sheets with parchment paper. Combine 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar with powdered sugar in a shallow dish, like a pie dish or a wide bowl.

Scoop and Roll Cookies: Use a medium cookie scoop to scoop about 1 ½ tablespoon of dough for each cookie, rolling each in your hands to form a uniform ball. Roll the dough in the powdered sugar until fully coated.

Bake: Place the balls on the prepared cookie sheets leaving 2 inches between each of them. Bake for 11-13 minutes, until the edges of the cookies have set and the centers just begin to lose their shine.

Cool: Let the lemon crinkle cookies cool on the baking sheet for at least 2 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack to finish cooling.

Combine the sugar and zest until fragrant then beat in the butter.

Blend in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla.

Mix together the dry ingredients.

Combine the wet and dry ingredients.

Cover the dough and chill in the refrigerator.

Scoop and roll the balls in powdered
sugar before baking.

The classic grinder sandwich made into sliders to share! You’ve got Hawaiian rolls topped with layers of pepperoni, salami, turkey, provolone, and creamy grinder salad. And to top things off- each roll is brushed with a buttery parmesan glaze and baked to golden brown perfection.

Everyone loves sliders! And they’re easy to prepare, which makes them the perfect choice for potlucks. Here are a few more of my favorite recipes: buffalo chicken sliders, crack chicken sliders, and Cuban sliders! You’ll have to try them all!

Italian Grinder Sliders

Just in time for the warmer temperatures, here’s the best dish to share! This recipe puts a fun spin on the classic grinder sub. It combines all the delicious elements of a grinder into bite-sized sliders! The recipe uses Hawaiian rolls for the base, which are soft and sweet, perfectly contrasting the savory fillings. Then meats like pepperoni, salami, and turkey are layered with melty provolone cheese.

To mimic the classic grinder salad, a zesty dressing is made with mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, and pepperoncini peppers. (The BEST tangy flavor!) It’s then tossed with shredded lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. All of those tasty veggies get piled onto the grinder sliders for amazing flavor and texture in each bite. And let’s not forget the melted butter and parmesan glaze that gets brushed on top of the rolls… these sliders are seriously the best for sharing at parties or potlucks. So tasty, everyone will want the recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

I’ve broken the ingredients up into 3 parts which can be seen below. The main components of the sandwich are the meat and cheese filling, the creamy grinder salad, and buttery glaze to go on top. You can find exact measurements for every ingredient in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Hawaiian Rolls: These soft and sweet rolls are the foundation of your sliders.

Sliced Pepperoni: For delicious savory flavor.

Sliced Salami: Adds a salty and meaty taste to the sliders. You can choose your favorite type of salami, like Genoa or peppered.

Deli Turkey (or Ham): This lean meat adds protein and a savory flavor to the sliders. Pick your favorite deli meat, or use both turkey and ham for a double dose of meaty goodness!

Sliced Provolone Cheese: Adds a creamy, mild flavor to the sliders and melts down perfectly.

Butter Glaze

Butter: Melted so the glaze for the grinder sliders has a brushable consistency.

Garlic Salt: For a pop of savory flavor on top of each roll!

Grated Parmesan: Because everything is better with a little cheese sprinkled on top! Plus it gets all nice and melty and golden in the oven.

Grinder Salad

Veggies: You’ll need shredded iceberg lettuce, diced red onions, and chopped tomato and pepperoncini peppers.

Mayonnaise: Mayo is the base of the dressing, adding creaminess and helping bind all the ingredients together.

Red Wine Vinegar: So the dressing has a touch of acidity and brightness. It helps make things not so rich and heavy on the grinder sliders.

Minced Garlic: Adds a punch of savory flavor.

Pepperoncini Pepper Liquid: The liquid from the jar of pepperoncini adds a tangy and spicy kick to the dressing. It’s so good! Don’t skip it!

Italian Seasoning: My favorite blend of herbs to add extra flavor!

Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings, add to taste!

Grated Parmesan: So the salad has some cheesy goodness added to it.

How to Make Grinder Sliders

It looks like a lot, but it’s actually really easy. Follow these simple steps to make the best sharable meal!

Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut Rolls: Cut Hawaiian rolls in half horizontally. Then place the bottom half of the rolls on a small sheet pan or in a casserole dish.

Add Meat and Cheese: Layer the salami, pepperoni, cheese, and turkey on top of the rolls.

Add the Top of the Rolls: Place the top of the rolls on top of the turkey layer.

Butter Glaze: Melt the butter in a small bowl. Add the garlic salt, Italian seasonings, and parmesan cheese. Stir to combine and then brush the butter glaze on top of the rolls. Cover with aluminum foil and then place the sliders in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

For the Grinder Salad:

Prep While the Sliders Bake: While the sliders are baking prepare the grinder salad.

Veggie Mixture: In a medium bowl add the shredded lettuce, onions, and pepperoncinis, and tomato.

Whisk Dressing: Then in a small bowl whisk together the mayonnaise, red wine vinegar, garlic, pepperoncini juice, Italian seasonings, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Combine: Pour the dressing over the salad mixture and then toss to combine.

Remove Top Layer of the Rolls: Remove the sliders from the oven and carefully remove the top rolls.

Add Salad: Spoon the salad mixture over the turkey layer then replace the top of the rolls.

Serve: Slice then serve immediately and enjoy warm!

Place the salami on the bottom half of the buns.

Layer the pepperoni on the salami slices.

Place the cheese on top of the pepperoni.

Layer the turkey on the cheese. Place the top buns on the turkey and brush with the butter glaze.

Make the salad dressing.

Add the dressing to the salad ingredients.

Toss to coat the dressing in the salad.

Remove the top buns. Spoon the salad on the turkey. Replace the top buns and serve the warm sliders.

Smoky, tangy, and sweet, your taste buds will be begging you for more of this Mustard BBQ Sauce! It’s the perfect addition to your summer cookouts this year, adding the best flavor to grilled meats!

I love a good homemade BBQ sauce. Try these other recipes next: white BBQ sauce, classic BBQ sauce, or mumbo sauce! The perfect way to elevate grilled and smoked meats!

Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce

I think this might be my favorite BBQ sauce recipe yet. It’s SO good! If you’ve never had Carolina BBQ sauce before, it’s a tasty mix of all the best ingredients: hot sauce, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and then brown sugar and honey for sweetness. And we can’t forget the star of the show- mustard! The tang is what makes this sauce so good.

If you’re anything like me, you’re going to want to put it on everything. We love it on pulled pork sandwiches but really, it’s golden on any kind of meat, smoked or grilled. The tangy, sweet, and slightly spicy flavor is just out of this world!

Ingredient List

This is everything I used to create a complex and delicious flavor. As usual with homemade sauces, feel free to add more of what you like, and less of what you don’t! Taste-testing is key!

Yellow Mustard: This is the star of the recipe! It brings the bold, tangy flavor that defines Carolina Mustard BBQ sauce.

Honey and Brown Sugar: Honey and brown sugar add a touch of sweetness to balance the tang from the mustard and vinegar.

Apple Cider Vinegar: Adds a sharp, acidic bite that cuts through the richness of the other ingredients. Apple cider vinegar is the most common vinegar used in Mustard BBQ sauce, but white distilled, champagne vinegar, white wine, or rice vinegar would all work.

Ketchup: So the sauce has a little extra sweetness and tomato flavor. The ketchup also helps to thicken things up a bit.

Worcestershire Sauce: Adds a tasty boost of flavor.

Garlic Powder: For a punch of savory flavor.

Ground Cayenne Pepper: A pinch of cayenne pepper brings a touch of heat, but you can adjust this to your preference.

Salt and Pepper: Basic seasonings to add flavor to your mustard BBQ sauce.

Hot Sauce (optional): Want a little more kick? Hot sauce adds an extra layer of heat. Use your favorite kind!

How to Make Carolina Barbecue Sauce

There’s no reason not to make it. It only takes a few minutes and a handful of pantry staples! Plus, you can customize the flavor to your liking. Mustard BBQ sauce is an all-around winner!

Combine: Combine all the ingredients in a small sauce pan.

Simmer: Bring to a boil over medium heat. Bring the heat to low and simmer for 5-10 minutes, until the color deepens and the sauce slightly thickens.

Store: Cool completely and then store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container. Use as you would any other BBQ sauce.

Combine the ingredients in a saucepan

Bring to a boil and simmer

This Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a tender, moist, and flavorful dessert that’s a new spin on traditional pound cake. Plus, it’s super simple to make! Top it off with whipped cream and fresh berries or enjoy plain! 

The simple addition of cream cheese gives this pound cake a soft, tender crumb that absolutely melts in your mouth. Make sure to save this recipe along with some other cake favorites like Tres Leches Cake, Marble Bundt Cake, and Strawberry Pound Cake!

Cream Cheese Pound Cake Recipe

Pound cake is one of my favorite desserts. The moist, dense texture is so good, I always find myself going back for another slice. I have quite a few pound cake recipes on the blog now, but I think this one takes the cake (no pun intended!)

Because let’s be honest, you really can’t go wrong with adding cream cheese to dessert. It adds a little bit of tang to this recipe and also makes it so incredibly soft and moist. You won’t be able to stop eating it.

Ingredient List

Just pantry staples here! That’s what makes cream cheese pound cake so great! Simple and delicious, everything that dessert should be.

Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and moisture to the cake. Use softened butter so it mixes together smoothly with the other ingredients.

Cream Cheese: This recipe’s star ingredient! It adds a little tang and gives the cake a tender crumb. Again, softened cream cheese is best so it mixes smoothly with the other ingredients.

Granulated Sugar: To sweeten things up.

Large Eggs: Act as your binding agent to hold everything together.

Egg Yolks: For some extra richness. These help achieve that classic pound cake texture.

Vanilla Extract: For warmth and extra flavor.

Salt: Boosts all of the flavors.

All-Purpose Flour: Gives the cream cheese pound cake its structure. You can also use cake flour but it will change the crumb slightly.

How to Make Cream Cheese Pound Cake

If you can make boxed cake mix, you can make this cream cheese pound cake! It’s so simple- the hardest part is waiting for it to come out of the oven.

Preheat Oven, Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and generously grease and flour a 12-cup bundt pan. Tap out any excess flour. You may alternatively use a pan spray that already has flour in it.

Cream Cheese Mixture: Use a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer to cream softened butter and cream cheese together. Scrape down the sides sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Add the sugar and beat until well combined and fluffy, about 1 minute.

Add Wet Ingredients: Add the whole eggs, egg yolks, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix until combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Add Dry Ingredients: Add the salt and flour and mix until combined, again scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.

Transfer to Pan: Pour batter into the prepared pan.

Bake and Enjoy: Bake for 65-70 minutes or until a wooden skewer inserted in the center comes out mostly clean, with just a few moist crumbs stuck to it.

Beat the cream cheese and butter until fluffy

Mix in the sugar until fluffy, then add the eggs, egg yolks, and vanilla

Add the flour and salt and mix to combine

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake

Tender and fluffy 7-up biscuits rise to perfection and instantly become everyone’s favorite biscuit! It only takes 4-ingredients to create this melt-in-your-mouth biscuit recipe!

Homemade biscuits are so easy to make and are perfect with any meal! Here are a few more of my favorite biscuit recipes that I know you will love. Try these butter swim biscuits or these cheddar biscuits! And of course, everyone needs a classic biscuit recipe and this one is the best.

What are 7-Up Biscuits?

Biscuits made with 7-up? Yes, and they will be the best biscuits you will ever make! If you are skeptical, don’t be! Just make them and prepare to have your mind blown. Adding 7-up to the biscuit dough is magic and helps the dough rise to perfection. It creates a fluffy soft biscuit and the texture is incredible. Nestled and baked in a pan of melted butter, these biscuits will literally melt in your mouth! It only takes 4 ingredients to make this easy biscuit recipe and this will be your go-to recipe.

Enjoy these on their own, as a side, or in biscuits and gravy! The options are endless. My kids love these rolls served with their favorite Tortellini Soup or this Slow Cooker Beef Bourguignon. To be honest, my kids WANT them to be served for dinner every night!

Ingredients Needed to Make 7-Up Biscuits

These 7-up biscuits are perfect for a weeknight meal because they are super easy to make and come together quickly. It only uses 4 simple ingredients! I always make sure to have them on hand when I need a quick roll recipe to serve with dinner. It’s my go-to recipe to make with soups and stews!

Bisquick: The base of this recipe! An easy shortcut is using boxed Bisquick, but no one will ever know because they totally taste homemade!

Sour Cream: Helps to make a fluffy texture that melts in your mouth!

7-Up: The unexpected secret to this recipe! The 7-up helps create a very soft dough that will easily rise.

Melted Butter: Baking these biscuits in melted butter is a must because it gives the biscuits the best buttery flavor!

7-Up Biscuits Recipe

You will want to make these soft and buttery biscuits all of the time because your family will go crazy over them! You’ll also love how easy they are to make. If you’re looking for a last-minute side dish, these are worth every bite!

Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut the Sour Cream Into the Bisquick Mix: Next, add the Bisquick to a large bowl then cut the sour cream into the Bisquick mix using the back of a fork.

Stir in the 7-up: Pour in the 7-up then stir to combine. The dough will be very soft, but if it’s too sticky then sprinkle on additional Bisquick to help handle the dough.

Cut the Biscuits: Sprinkle additional biscuit mix on the counter to gently flatten out the dough to about 1-inch thickness. Use a biscuit cutter to cut 9 biscuits. 

Melt the Butter and Pour Into the Pan: Melt 1/4 cup butter and pour into the bottom of a 9-inch square pan. Alternatively, you can melt the butter in the pan by placing it in the oven for a few minutes.

Bake: Place the cut 7-up biscuits into the pan with melted butter then bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cut the sour cream into the Bisquick.

Pour in the 7 UP.

Stir to combine.

Roll and cut the dough. Bake in a prepared buttered pan.

This honey butter recipe is so easy to make, and perfect on everything from rolls and toast to muffins. One taste and you’ll be hooked!

Craving something sweet? Try these M&M Cookies, Fluffy Marshmallow Cream Cheese Fruit Dip (3 ingredients!), this Easy Tiramisu Recipe, or Irresistible Edible Cookie Dough.

Easy Honey Butter Recipe

If you’ve never tried making honey butter from scratch before, you’re missing out! It’s so good. You can make it easily with just a few simple ingredients! It’s cheaper (and more delicious) than the store-bought stuff.

You can even jazz your honey butter up a bit by adding some cinnamon (I’d start by adding 1 teaspoon and then build up from there if needed). It’s delicious both ways! Here are the ingredients you’ll need to grab from your pantry:

Ingredient List

4 pantry staples are all you need! Of course, you can always add any other flavor extracts or mix-ins that you’d like. Customizing and taste-testing your honey butter is the fun part! Note: all measurements are in the recipe card at the end of the post.

Butter: Both salted and unsalted work! You’ll just need to adjust the additional salt you add, if any. Also- make sure your butter is softened slightly so it mixes together smoothly with the other ingredients.

Honey: The main sweetener! Taste test as you go and add more honey if needed.

Ground Cinnamon: This is optional, but I think the spice makes the honey butter taste better overall.

A Pinch or Two of Salt: Optional if using salted butter. A little bit goes a long way and enhances the overall flavor of the honey butter.

How to Make Honey Butter

It’s super easy and only takes a few minutes. Let’s get started! Once you have it on hand, you’ll want to put it on everything.

Whip Butter: Add the butter to a large bowl and whip with a hand mixture until pale and fluffy and no chunks remain.

Add Remaining Ingredients, Adjust to Taste: Add the honey, cinnamon, and a pinch or two of salt. Mix until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Taste and then add another pinch of salt, if desired.

Store: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 weeks.

Spicy chicken chipotle pasta is so creamy and rich with a spicy kick that you won’t be able to get enough of. The warm, smoky flavor of the chipotle peppers balanced with a flavorful cream sauce is sure to delight your tastebuds! It is a mouthwatering entree that everyone will love! Inspired by Cheesecake Factory, this homemade version is so tasty!

Cheesecake Factory is one of my all-time favorite restaurants! And I love creating all of their best dishes at home. Add these fabulous recipes to your menu: copycat Cheesecake Factory brown bread, Louisiana chicken pasta, and chicken Madeira!

Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta Recipe

This copycat Cheesecake Factory Spicy Chicken Chipotle Pasta is downright amazing! You have tender pieces of chicken combined with pasta and sautéed veggies coated in a creamy chipotle-flavored sauce. It’s perfectly rich and cheesy with an irresistible kick of smoky heat. If you love spicy food, this recipe is for you! I’m also sharing tips to reduce the heat, if you’re serving someone sensitive to spice.

One bite of this deliciousness and you’ll be hooked! In fact, this chipotle pasta recipe might be even better than the Cheesecake Factory version! It can be ready to serve in just over 30 minutes, making it great for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a complete meal on its own with a balance of chicken, pasta and veggies. Serve it with some 20-minute Italian bread twists for an unforgettable dinner!

Ingredients Needed

The ingredients needed for chipotle pasta are simple and easy, yet they come together for an incredible meal that will have you wanting to lick your plate clean! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements.

Penne Pasta: The perfect noodles to soak up and trap all of that delicious sauce!

Chicken Breast: You’ll need 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast.

Olive Oil: For cooking the chicken and vegetables.

Vegetables: A combination of minced yellow onion, diced red bell pepper, asparagus and frozen peas add hearty texture and flavor.

Chipotle Peppers: You can find Chipotle peppers in adobo sauce in a can at the grocery store. We’ll be using the peppers and the sauce.

Garlic: A must for almost any pasta dish!

Honey: Adds a hint of sweetness to balance the spicy, smoky taste from the peppers.

Heavy Cream: For a perfectly rich and creamy sauce.

Parmesan Cheese: Adds wonderful cheesiness!

Salt and Pepper: Brings out and enhances the flavors in this pasta recipe.

Garnish: Add a sprinkle of freshly chopped cilantro for a pop of color and freshness on the finished dish! You can sub with parsley, if preferred.

How to Make Chicken Chipotle Pasta

It might look like quite a few steps to make this chicken chipotle pasta but they’re all super simple and straightforward – and so worth it! You end up with tender chicken pieces and noodles covered in a creamy, spiced sauce. Here is how it all comes together:

Boil the Noodles: Cook the pasta according to the package directions until just al dente. 

Prep: Cut the chicken into 1-inch pieces and season with salt and pepper. Prepare the vegetables. Remove the tough ends from the asparagus.

Cook the Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add in the chicken and sauté until browned and cooked through.

Sauté the Veggies: To the pan add the onion, red bell pepper, asparagus, and peas. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes.

Add the Peppers and Garlic: Remove the chipotle peppers from the can, reserving the adobo sauce. Dice the chipotle peppers into smaller pieces. Add 3 tablespoons of diced peppers and garlic into the pan with the vegetables and chicken. Continue to sauté for another 2 minutes.

Make the Sauce: Add ¼ cup of the adobo sauce, honey, heavy cream, shredded parmesan cheese, and salt and pepper to the pan.

Combine with Pasta: Stir in the cooked pasta and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes.

Serve: Remove the skillet from heat, serve the chipotle pasta with cilantro and additional parmesan cheese. Enjoy!

Prep all the ingredients and cook the pasta

Cook the chicken pieces, add the veggies,
and cook until tender

Add chopped chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, honey, heavy cream, shredded parmesan cheese,
and salt and pepper

Stir the cooked pasta into the sauce and
simmer for 5 minutes before serving

Bring all the best things about Southern cooking to your dinner table with this country fried chicken recipe! The result? Golden, crispy goodness smothered in savory homemade gravy.

Need some tasty Southern sides to go with your country fried chicken? Try these! Hush puppies, fried okra, or classic biscuits!

Country Fried Chicken Recipe (Chicken-Fried Chicken)

This recipe for country fried chicken is sure to become a new favorite for busy weeknight meals. And it’s surprisingly easy to make! You’re going to love it. The buttermilk marinade keeps the chicken moist and tender, while the flavorful breading gives it a crispy, golden brown crust.

And that homemade white gravy? It’s the perfect finishing touch, adding rich savory flavor. This country fried chicken will be a hit with the whole family! Here’s everything you’ll need so you can whip it up:

Ingredient List

The best part about country fried chicken is that it uses so many simple ingredients. I’m sure most of them are in your pantry! Note: exact measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Buttermilk Marinade

Chicken Cutlets: Thin, boneless pieces of chicken, perfect for even cooking. You can also use chicken breasts, hammered thin with a tenderizer.

Buttermilk: Makes the country fried chicken nice and tender! You can also substitute this with milk mixed with some lemon juice or vinegar. Find my full recipe on making homemade buttermilk here.

Salt and Pepper: Add the first layer of flavor to the chicken.

Breading

Flour: The base of the crispy coating. All-purpose flour is fine!

Paprika, Garlic Powder, and Cayenne Pepper: Spices that add a kick of flavor and color to the breading.

Eggs: Binds the breading to the chicken.

Vegetable oil: For frying the chicken in.

Gravy

Butter: So the gravy has a nice richness! Butter makes everything better, and Southern cooking wouldn’t be as good without it!

Flour: Thickens the gravy and creates a roux.

Chicken Broth: The flavorful liquid base for the gravy.

Salt and Pepper: Adjust the flavor to taste!

How to Make Country Fried Chicken

Country fried chicken is all about crispy, juicy chicken smothered in rich gravy, and it’s easier to make than you think. Let’s get started!

Marinating the Chicken

Marinate: Add the chicken cutlets to a large freezer bag, then add in the buttermilk, salt and pepper and shake to mix well and coat the chicken evenly. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for an hour.

Heat Oil: Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat, enough to cover half a filet at a time

Breading and Frying

Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and cayenne.

Whisk Eggs: In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs.

Coat: One at a time, take the chicken cutlets from the marinade and allow any excess marinade to drip off. Then place the cutlet into the breading mixture and dredge it evenly and generously.

Repeat: Take the breaded cutlet and dredge it in the egg, then back to the flour mixture for a final coating.

Add to Oil: Carefully place the breaded cutlet into the hot oil, there should be enough oil so half the cutlet is submerged.

Fry: Fry the cutlet for about 5-7 minutes on each side. Remove from the oil and then place on a paper towel lined plate while you work with the rest of the chicken.

Repeat: Repeat these steps with the remaining cutlets.

Making the Gravy

Make Roux: In a saucepan, over medium heat, melt the butter. Then whisk in the flour to create a roux.

Add Broth and Seasonings: Slowly whisk in the chicken broth, salt and pepper. Whisk the gravy and continue cooking until the desired consistency is reached.

Serve: Serve the country fried chicken with your favorite sides and smothered in the gravy! If you need some ideas, I have tasty sides listed below.

Marinate the chicken in the buttermilk mixture.

Coat the chicken in the flour mixture.

Dip the floured chicken in the beaten eggs.

Coat the chicken in the flour mixture again.

Fry the chicken in oil.

Make the gravy.

Introducing the softest and chewiest chocolate chip pudding cookies to ever come out of your oven! Adding Instant pudding mix creates the perfect cookie that dreams are made of.

Instant pudding mix is the gift that keeps on giving! It is so versatile and is a key ingredient in many delicious desserts. We love the addition of pudding in this Strawberry Cheesecake Salad or my Layered Pistachio Dessert. It’s also a vital ingredient in Stabilized Whipped Cream!

Chocolate Chip Pudding Cookies

Everybody loves a delicious, soft, chocolate chip cookie and these chocolate chip pudding cookies are the ones to make! The secret to the softness in this cookie recipe is the pudding mix! It magically results in the softest, chewiest, irresistible chocolate chip cookies. Using instant pudding powder in cookie dough keeps your cookies soft for days! Choose your favorite pudding flavor to create the world’s softest chocolate chip cookies. Your friends and family will LOVE these cookies and request them for everything gathering.

Heaven to me is warm homemade cookies right out of the oven! It’s my love language to my family and friends. If you’re looking to show your love through cookies then make these Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles, my easy No Bake Cookies, or our favorite Butter Pecan Cookies

Ingredients You’ll Need

Classic pantry staple ingredients are all that you need to make these yummy cookies. The only ingredient out of the ordinary is the instant vanilla pudding mix so make sure to grab a box while you’re at the store. Check out the recipe card at the bottom of the post for exact measurements. 

Salted Butter: This adds richness and a creamy texture.

Light Brown Sugar: I love how brown sugar brings a caramel-like flavor and moisture.

Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness to the cookies.

Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: I know it sounds odd, but trust me on this one because it results in the softest cookies!

Eggs: I always use large eggs when baking because they add moisture and structure.

Vanilla Extract: Adds a sweet flavor to the cookies. As you can see in the recipe, I added a bit more than most recipes, and I love the results!

All-Purpose Flour: Gives structure and a soft texture.

Baking Soda: Helps the cookies rise and become tender.

Salt: This balances sweetness and enhances flavor. I used salted butter, so I didn’t add a lot of extra salt.

Milk Chocolate Chips: Melts to create gooey pockets of sweetness.

Let’s Make Chocolate Chip Cookies With Vanilla Pudding

This chocolate chip pudding cookie recipe is easy to make and are always a hit! Everyone always asks me for the recipe because they are irresistibly soft and the secret ingredient of pudding mix always blows their mind. This recipe is a keeper!

Preheat Oven/ Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit then line a sheetpan with parchment paper.

Cream the Butter and Sugars: Cream together the butter and sugars using an electric hand mixer or in a stand mixer. Beat for 2 minutes until light and creamy in color.

Add the Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Mix in the dry pudding mix.

Mix in the Vanilla and Eggs: Add the vanilla extract and eggs and mix until combined. 

Add the Dry Ingredients: Add the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix until the dough is just combined.

Stir in the Chocolate Chips: Stir in the chocolate chips using a rubber spatula.

Scoop and Roll: Scoop cookie dough into approximately 2 tablespoon-sized balls and gently roll between your palms to form a round ball. Place the cookie balls on the prepared baking sheet, spacing cookies at least 2” apart.

Bake: Bake for 10-12 minutes or until the edges are golden.

Cool and Enjoy: Allow to cool on the baking sheet for 2 minutes then transfer to a baking rack to finish cooling. The centers will seem soft, but they will firm up as they cool.

Cream together the butter and sugars
then blend in the pudding powder.

Mix in the eggs and vanilla.

Add the flour, baking soda, and salt.

Fold in the chocolate chips.