I found myself standing in front of the open refrigerator yesterday at 5:30 with a package of chicken breasts in my hand, wishing I could think of something new to do with them.

Then I remembered this recipe. It was developed by the Cooking Light test kitchen for my book Cooking Light Dinnertime Survival Guide: Feed Your Family. Save Your Sanity. It’s a healthier riff on fried chicken, with a nutty coating and a decadent-tasting drizzle of honey.

I forgot how good this recipe is. My ten year old declared it “awesome” and had two helpings. And it’s fast: about 15 minutes of hands-on time if you’ve pre-chopped the cashews and rosemary (save time by tossing them together in a mini-chopper–this is the one I have and LOVE).

You start by soaking the chicken in a mixture of Dijon mustard and buttermilk (I like using a pie plate for this). Meanwhile, cook the panko in a skillet for a few minutes to achieve a golden color. Then combine the panko, chopped cashews, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a dish. Dredge the milk-coated chicken in the mixture and place on a sprayed cooling rack set inside a baking pan. When it’s done baking, drizzle a teaspoon of honey over each cutlet and serve.

When it comes to weeknight dinners, I’m all about using what you have and getting it done. So…

• If you have chicken breasts instead of cutlets, slice them in half horizontally. Then place a piece of plastic wrap over each piece and pound them with a mallet (or press firmly with the heel of your hand) to flatten.
• If you don’t have buttermilk, use regular milk.
• If you don’t have cashews, use the nuts you have on hand.
• If you want a less spicy coating, leave out the ground red pepper.
• If you don’t have time to cook the panko, skip that step.

This recipe also appeared in an e-book about cooking with kids that includes photos of my boys helping me make this recipe, plus other recipes from food bloggers for dishes like Sticky Maple Chicken Wings and Roasted Tomato Bruschetta. You can get the e-book here.

For another chicken recipe from Dinnertime Survival Guide, check out these Easy BBQ Chicken Kebabs.