Think about one of the best things you have ever eaten. Go ahead. It can be a dessert, appetizer, side, main course, whatever you'd like.
Got it?
Now, was that dish healthy?
Ha!
Don't laugh!
Most of us don't equate "healthy" with "one of my favorite things I have ever eaten."
Until now.
I saw these crunchy chicken cones in January's edition of Food and Wine Magazine. I was excited to make them, but knew I wanted to change things up a bit. The recipe calls for these chicken cones to be fried, but I knew baking them would provide the same crispy, crunchy texture that I was looking for. And the texture is phenomenal. Crispy cornflakes provide a base for the interesting mix of flavors that come through with every bite. The combination of the sweet brown sugar, spicy red pepper flakes, and nutty sesame seeds and almonds provide a complex and exciting flavor experience.
But what makes this dish is the slaw. Ohhhhh, the slaw. Do yourself a favor and make this slaw. The sweet mangoes pair perfectly with the spicy bite of jalapenos, the crunch of the coleslaw and the cooling effect of the light mayonnaise brings the perfect balance to this dish. I could eat that by itself. For days and days. Omit the coleslaw and you have a perfect spread for an interesting and tropical sandwich. Oh, the possibilities.
But for now, this wrap will make you do a happy dance times twelve. You'll happy dance down the street, cone in hand. But be careful, because the spice in these will sneak up on you! And you'll love every second if it.
Hot and Crunchy Chicken Cones - Adapted from Food and Wine Magazine
Mango Slaw
2/3 cup diced mango
2 large jalapeƱos, seeded and
chopped
2 tablespoons white wine
vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon water
1 small shallot, minced
1 cup light mayonnaise
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
2 garlic cloves, finely
chopped
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
Salt and freshly ground
pepper
7 cups shredded coleslaw mix
Chicken Cones
3 cups cornflakes
6 tablespoons slivered
almonds
6 tablespoons sesame seeds
6 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons crushed red
pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons kosher salt
4 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/2 cup milk
All-purpose flour, for
dredging
Six 5-ounce skinless,
boneless chicken breast halves, sliced lengthwise 1 inch thick
Six 10-inch flour tortillas, warmed
Make the Mango Slaw:
In a saucepan, combine the mango, jalapeƱos, vinegar,sugar, water and shallot. Cover and simmer until the mango is softened, 10 minutes.
Transfer the mango mixture to a food processor and puree; scrape into a large bowl. Stir in the mayonnaise, cilantro, garlic and lime juice and season with salt and pepper. Add the coleslaw mix and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate.
This looks so good I figured it had to be 1000 calories. But no, you made it healthy! Yum!
Posted by: Leslie | January 07, 2010 at 12:39 PM
These look super delish Teanna. Especially the slaw...
Posted by: Eliana | January 07, 2010 at 01:37 PM
MMMHMM! Those look SO good!
I think that coating chicken (or pork chops) with seasoned cornflakes gives it SUCH a wonderful crunch!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 07, 2010 at 02:00 PM
Umm... can we say printing this.... now?!
Posted by: Jeannette | January 07, 2010 at 03:12 PM
That slaw is calling my name!!!! Nice way to make it healthy plus without having to sacrifice any flavor.
Posted by: jenn (Bread + Butter) | January 07, 2010 at 03:37 PM
I am definitely making this! I love the sound of that slaw with the spicy chicken!
Posted by: Jen | January 07, 2010 at 06:40 PM
The sweet and spicy part of the slaw is the best part. People underestimate the power of sweet and spicy!
Posted by: The Duo Dishes | January 07, 2010 at 06:50 PM
This is an amazing recipe! Love it! p.s. happy late bloggerversary!
Posted by: cheffresco | January 07, 2010 at 07:17 PM
Yum... Looks fantastic! I just subscribed to Food and Wine, but didn't get my first issue yet. Thank goodness you pointed this one out... I wouldn't want to miss it!
Posted by: Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction | January 07, 2010 at 10:36 PM
I really need to learn to read my magazines when they come in the mail instead of putting them in a pile that won't be touched for months. If I'd done that I might not have missed this one :) Thanks for sharing - sounds wonderful!
Posted by: Tracey | January 07, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Looks so good! I can't wait to try the slaw!
Posted by: Stacy | January 08, 2010 at 12:19 AM
I love sweet and spicy and you make this sound so enticing.
Mimi
Posted by: Mimi | January 08, 2010 at 01:11 AM
Delicious...crunchy...and healthy?? Almost too good to be true. I'm definitely going to go with your variation next time.
Posted by: DailyChef | January 08, 2010 at 04:48 AM
I think this is going to be one of my favorite things I've ever eaten! Totally delicious! Bookmarked to make as soon as I get to grocery shopping :)
Posted by: Natasha - 5 Star Foodie | January 08, 2010 at 01:06 PM
Oh! This look absolutely yummie, the mango slaw is a great match for the chicken, what a great combination of flavors :-)
Posted by: Juliana | January 08, 2010 at 03:50 PM
These look soooo delicious, and the chicken looks so perfectly crispy. Way to go on adapting this to be more healthy.
Posted by: Christina | January 09, 2010 at 04:49 AM
foods served in a cone are automatically more delicious. personally, i'm smitten by that slaw--it sounds like the perfect accompaniment!
Posted by: grace | January 10, 2010 at 11:27 AM
Say no more: this slaw WILL be made! Thanks for an absoutely crispy-licious chicken that doesn't require submergence in a vat of hot, fatty oil (not that there's anything wrong with that!)
Posted by: Tangled Noodle | January 10, 2010 at 03:35 PM
i made this for dinner tonight and it was absolutely DELICIOUS! I cut out a bit of the salt from the chicken coating, but aside from that, everything was perfect! Thanks for the great recipe!
Posted by: Rae | January 10, 2010 at 07:35 PM
Are you sure this is healthy girl? I don't know. They look too good to be healthy LOL. Bookmarked to try
Posted by: Wizzythestick | January 10, 2010 at 10:37 PM