Do you guys ever get an Italian food craving so intense you’re like, “I MUST HAVE RED SAUCE, PASTA, CHEESE AND ANY OF THE MEATS RIGHT NOW!!!!!” I do, and way too often. I love myself some Italian food and as we know it’s chock full o’ gluten so we have to find decent substitutes and make our own.* Phhhhpt.

It hit me hard last week and I was also feeling overwhelmed and did NOT want to spend the night in the kitchen. I was cranky, hungry, and not in the mood. And then I had one of those a-ha moments. It was like Oprah herself entered into my head and changed my life. What if I don’t have to fry my own chicken? Girl, you know I had gluten-free chicken parm in my belly in half an hour. 

I love the gf chicken tenders from Bell & Evans. They make great lunch box items for the kiddos, and an excellent addition to my annual gluten-free Snackadium. Knocking out the fried chicken portion of this dish made it ridiculously easy. Here are the few steps.

Bake that chicken.

Put marina sauce on that chicken.

Put mozzarella on that chicken.

Put it back in the oven until cheese is melty and brown’ish.

Cook your gluten-free pasta (I love the fresh/frozen kinds, but you do you) and serve.

BAM.

How easy and delicious is that? Dinner is served, my friends.

*some of you live near amazing gluten-free Italian restaurants. I, sadly, do not.