Have you ever thought about the elements of a meal that provide you with satisfaction? Because listen up, ya’ll, it’s not only about the taste.

Disclosure: This recipe was created through my partnership with Barbara’s Bakery and I was provided compensation for sharing this recipe. All words and opinions are my own.

Yes, food that tastes delicious is usually much more enjoyable to eat, but let’s not forget the other elements of satisfaction, such as the way a plate of food looks visually, how it smells, how it feels in your mouth, and even what temperature the dish is. When we strive to satisfy our senses with food we are better able to take the focus off of only the nutrition or health-benefits, which can often lead to preoccupation and worry when eating. It’s all too easy to overlook to pleasure nourishing food can bring us, but my recipe today is challenging you to take back the satisfaction factor!

My husband and I looove making peach salad in the summer. It started from an actual recipe, but now we have adapted it to our own tastes and ingredients we have on hand. The salad is usually a combination of tender salad greens, raw or grilled onion, crumbled cheese, and slices or chunks of yellow peach. For more satisfaction we add a source of protein, which is usually simply grilled salt and pepper chicken. The chicken is good, but it’s not great or mindblowing.

Wanting to not settle and eat another “just pleasing” salad, I got to thinking of how to jazz up my chicken. When I asked myself what I truly wanted, I landed on honey mustard. And I knew I wanted something crunchy. A few minutes later and these Crunchy Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders using Barbara’s Bakery Spoonfuls Cereal were born!

Seriously, these chicken tenders are SO satisfying, and they respected and honored my taste buds in every which way. So, the next time you’re questioning what you truly want, I encourage you to ask yourself some of these questions:

Think about a salty or sweet food. Does it feel right to you at this moment?

Would you like the crunch of a baby carrot or a potato chip right now?

Is the aroma of pizza appealing you to right now?

Do you want something airy or more filling and sustaining?

OKAY, now on to the recipe!

Crunchy Honey Mustard Chicken Tenders- serves 2

Ingredients for chicken

• 3/4 pound chicken tenders

• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard

• 2 teaspoons honey

• 1 1/4 cup finely crushed Barbara’s Bakery Spoonfuls cereal

• Fresh ground black pepper

Ingredients for salad

• 6 cups of leafy greens such as arugula, pea shoots, or mesclun

• 1/4 cup sliced red onion

• 2 small peaches, sliced or cubed

• Goat cheese, crumbled- the amount is up to you!

• Dijon Lemon Dressing- 3 Tbsp olive oil, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mustard and honey and set aside. Place the crushed cereal on a large plate and spread in an even layer.

3. One at a time, dip a chicken tender into the honey mustard mix, coating all sides, and then dredge in the crushed cereal, firmly pressing the crumbs in any spots not coated.

4. Lay the chicken tenders on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes until the meat reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

5. Serve tenders with some fresh cracked black pepper and lay over a bed of greens, with a chopped peach, sliced red onion, crumbled goat cheese, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil or Dijon Lemon Dressing.