CHICKEN THINGS! by Jerry Harwood

That is correct. I have been cooking these since my college days. My buddy’s wife made a similar version but did not have a name for them, so we just called them “Chicken Things.” The name has stuck.

I was asked to choose a favorite recipe. I know Thanksgiving is approaching. If you are like me, you have all sorts of family recipes and dishes for Thanksgiving day. However, sometimes family come in and stay longer. I always finding myself in search of quick meals or, even better, meals I can prep and be eaten whenever someone is hungry. Hot or cold, these are delicious. Put them in your fridge the days before Thanksgiving or cook them up Saturday when everyone is tired of turkey. Either way, they will be a hit. And the best part? They are cheap, easy to make, and only take 10 minutes in an oven.

Ingredients:

• one block of cream cheese
• one bag of shredded cheddar cheese (or grate your own)
• one rotisserie chicken pulled (or cook and cube / shred chicken. I like the rotisserie because our local store sells them for $5.
• two cans of Pillsbury croissants or dough sheets (I prefer the sheets, but my store was out when I made this recipe for the picture)
• cayenne pepper or cajun seasoning to taste

Step one: Mix pulled chicken, softened cream cheese, shredded cheese, and cayenne together in a mixing bowl.

Step two: roll out on a cutting board the croissant roll. Cut into six squares. scoop a portion of mix in the center of each square (repeat with second roll)

Step three: fold corners up to make “dumplings.” pinch any open areas closed

Step four: Place on a cookie sheet (I spray with PAM) and cook according to the croissant / dough sheet directions. (375 degrees for 10 minutes) – I flip mine after 8 minutes but this is not necessary.

Then enjoy hot! Or cold! They have an entirely different taste cold. Any extra mix? Put it on a bagel!

Check out Jerry’s latest release TWELVE HOURS ON THE BLOCK

Eli hoped to do his time and get back to living life outside prison. However, that hope faded when he watched a prisoner rip a guard’s heart out and toss the body over the railing onto a funeral pyre of burning mattresses. The landscape of the prison begins to change as more and more strange characters strive for dominance in the anarchy that follows. Eli and his new friend, Tay, must navigate the chaos as the gods of the Aztec creation story emerge over the next twelve hours on the block.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jerry Harwood was born in Ooltewah, TN. His mother was an elementary school teacher and he spent his afternoons reading books in her classroom or the nearby library. He currently is a writer, which makes sense based on the fact you are reading this here. He has experimented with other occupations: camp director, program director at a counseling center, college professor and middle school teacher. Jerry has backpacked Europe, taught in a Ukrainian University, worked in Rwanda after the genocide, is a first responder, sort-of remodeled a VW Thing, and has a love for Cherry Coke Zero that is only surpassed by his love for his wife, six children, and grandson.