Popcorn Chicken

Posted on February 2, 2026January 31, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

Popcorn chicken is one of those dishes that I simply cannot resist. The bite-sized morsels of chicken are crispy on the outside. They are juicy on the inside. Since they’re boneless, they’re super easy to pop into your mouth. Like picnic-style buttermilk fried chicken, these tiny fried chicken bites are soaked in buttermilk. Then, they are dredged in flour and fried. They’re a perfect game day snack or potluck recipe. They also happen to make a great family meal when served with some sauces and your favorite sides. Your kids will love how savory and bite-sized they are, and you’ll love how easy they are to make.

Popcorn Chicken vs. Chicken Nuggets

While these fried chicken bites are similar, there are some key differences between popcorn chicken and chicken nuggets. Chicken nuggets are made of ground chicken bound into uniform pieces. On the flip side, popcorn chicken uses boneless chicken breasts cut into large chunks and marinated in buttermilk before being fried. The fry coating on each piece of popcorn chicken is a little different, which is part of what makes them so tasty, and they tend to have a thicker coating than chicken nuggets. The most famous nuggets are probably the McDonald’s chicken nuggets, and popcorn chicken originally comes from KFC.

Ingredients for Popcorn Chicken

Chicken breast: Use boneless skinless chicken breasts cut up into 1-inch cubes.
Buttermilk: Buttermilk tenderizes the chicken, imparts a tangy, delicious flavor, and keeps it moist, so you don’t have to worry about dried-out chicken. If you don’t have it on hand, you can always make buttermilk from scratch.
All-purpose flour: Seasoned all-purpose flour gives the chicken a delicious crispy coating. You can use gluten-free flour for gluten-free popcorn chicken.
Seasonings: Salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and cayenne pepper make the dredge super flavorful.
Oil: The best oils for frying are neutral in flavor and can stand up to high heat, like canola or grapeseed oils.

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60 Best Valentine’s Day Desserts

Posted on February 1, 2026January 30, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

I can’t help it: I love Valentine’s Day. (No, not because my name is in the holiday!) It’s the perfect time to tell someone—platonically or romantically—how much they mean to you. Showing love looks a little different to everyone, but for me, it means baking Valentine’s Day desserts. The fastest way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, right? That’s what all those Marry Me recipes are for!

If you’re also the “cooking is my love language” type, here are the perfect Valentine’s Day desserts for the holiday. Of course, there’s no shortage of chocolate desserts, like truffles and confections, mousses, cookies and chocolate lava cake. But there are also other romantic desserts, such as white chocolate raspberry cake, red velvet cookies, cheesecake-stuffed strawberries, decadently layered trifles and heart-shaped desserts galore. Many of these can feed a crowd (perfect for a Galentine’s Day party!), but more are desserts for two.

Whether you’ve booked a table or you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day at home, end your romantic dinner with one of these sweet desserts. (By the way, anyone manifesting for something special to happen should try Ina Garten’s engagement chicken—it worked for Meghan Markle and Emily Blunt!)

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Corn Dog Casserole

Posted on February 1, 2026January 30, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

A fun twist on the iconic state fair corn dog, this easy corn dog casserole is in and out of the oven in 30 minutes. Best of all, there’s no waiting in line.

A corn dog casserole is a homey way to mimic the flavor of that favorite fair food on a stick, without the fuss. The key ingredients are the same: hot dogs and a cornbread batter. Our corn dog casserole recipe includes a few more ingredients and skips the deep frying (and the stick) to create a family-friendly fare for casual mealtimes. Pair it with a side of roasted carrots and pop them in the oven at the same time.

This dish is also quick to disappear at potlucks. It’s hard to resist the cheesy, fluffy cornbread chunks of juicy hotdogs. Although we love the traditional flavor of all-beef hot dogs, feel free to use your favorite frank or sausage.

Corn Dog Casserole Ingredients

Butter: It does indeed make everything better. This recipe calls for it to be melted to saute the vegetables, adding a rich flavor.
Celery and green onions: The combination, gently cooked in butter until tender, adds a foundation of earthy flavor.
Hot dogs: For the best corn dog flavor, go for a high-quality beef hot dog.
Eggs: Not only do eggs help the batter rise, but they provide structure to keep the baked cornbread from crumbling to pieces.
Milk: The liquid adds moisture to create a thick and fluffy batter. We like 2% milk in this recipe, but nut milk works well, too.
Seasonings: Sage and pepper add boosts of savory flavors.
Cornbread/muffin mix: A corn dog casserole doesn’t taste the same without it! Cornbread/muffin mix is typically made with yellow cornmeal and is an easy-prep base for the batter.
Shredded sharp cheddar cheese: If you have a few extra minutes, grate your cheese. Packaged shredded cheese typically contains preservatives that make it a bit more difficult to melt.

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30 Valentine’s Day Snacks to Share the Love

Posted on January 31, 2026January 30, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

While I love making a special meal on Valentine’s Day, my real food love language is snacks. But I don’t mean a handful of baby carrots or a half-stale granola bar. Whether sweet or savory, the little nibbles that carry us through the day until that romantic date-night dinner can be just as thoughtful as the main course. That’s what this collection of Valentine’s Day snacks celebrates.

Here, you will find a mix of sweet and savory festive treats, so you can still enjoy a pink cupcake, a few chocolate-covered tuxedo strawberries or a slice of decadent chocolate cake for Valentine’s Day dessert without feeling as if you’ve gone overboard on sugar all day. For something that you can graze on all afternoon, try a snack board loaded with a combination of cheese, crackers and cured meats.

You can even turn these snacks into a meal by making a variety of dishes. Pair shrimp skewers or crab-stuffed mushrooms with steak bites for surf-and-turf vibes, along with a few different types of bruschetta for color and texture. The best part about these Valentine’s Day snacks is that they’re elegant and delicious yet easy enough to prepare so you still have time to spend with your Valentine.

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White Pizza Dip

Posted on January 31, 2026January 29, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

I think we can all agree that a hot, cheesy pizza is the ultimate party food. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday or gathering around the TV for a big game, nothing beats a fresh slice—except maybe some ooey-gooey pizza-inspired snacks.

This white pizza dip is the perfect shareable appetizer. It’s creamy, loaded with melty mozzarella, and bursting with all the garlic and herby flavor of a sauceless pizza. It comes together in just a few simple steps, and there’s no dough rolling required. Serve it with crispy toasted baguette slices or fresh veggies for a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

White Pizza Dip Ingredients

A baking tray with toasted baguette slices sits on a counter next to bowls containing diced pepperoni, shredded cheese, cream cheese, and sour cream. A red-striped towel and a small bowl of dried herbs are also visible. — Taste of Home

Sour cream: Tangy sour cream gives the dip a silky, spoonable texture. Full-fat sour cream works best, but reduced-fat can be used if needed—just expect a slightly looser dip.
Ricotta cheese: Mild, milky ricotta adds body and balances the tang of the sour cream. Whole-milk ricotta is our choice for an extra-rich pizza-like dip, but you can use part-skim for a lighter version. If your ricotta is a little watery, drain it first in a fine-mesh sieve before mixing it with the sour cream.
Mozzarella cheese: Shredded mozzarella melts in the oven, giving the dip its classic pizza-style stretch and gooey finish.
Pepperoni: Use your favorite variety to add savory, meaty bites throughout the dip—regular, spicy and turkey pepperoni all work well here. Chop the slices finely for even distribution, or use mini pepperoni for a shortcut.
Soup mix: This recipe calls for a packet of Lipton Savory Herb with Garlic soup mix. It’s a convenient all-in-one seasoning option that includes dried herbs, garlic and onion with no measuring required. If you can’t find it, you can experiment with other varieties or substitute a blend of Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper to taste.
Baguette: Slice and toast a fresh baguette to create crisp, sturdy dippers for scooping up the warm, cheesy dip. Crackers, crostini, crunchy breadsticks and raw veggies are also great options.

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French Onion Beans

Posted on January 30, 2026January 27, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

f I had to pick a desert-island food, I would choose beans without a moment’s hesitation (and hopefully remember to bring a can opener). With their plant-based protein and fiber coupled with their unmatched versatility, there isn’t much that beans can’t do. This recipe is one of my favorite bean-y mash-ups. It features all the cozy, melty, cheesy flavors of a classic French onion soup, made even heartier with the inclusion of soft, plump butter beans. Meet: French onion beans.

You may know butter beans as lima beans, but by any name they’re creamy, buttery, and the perfect blank canvas for bold French onion flavors. Here, they pair perfectly with caramelized onions before getting blanketed by crusty chunks of bread (technically optional, but the bread adds a lovely crunchy texture) and a shower of nutty Gruyère cheese.

Why You’ll Love It

It’s got that classic, well-loved flavor. The same savory, slow-cooked flavors you love in French onion soup shine through in this comforting dish.
Equally great as a main or a side dish. Paired with a simple green salad, this is a hearty, filling meal. Or it can be the back-up singer to a roasted chicken or pork chops (although, like all great back-up singers, it will likely steal the show).

Baked dish in a cast iron skillet with toasted bread, melted cheese, and white beans, garnished with parsley. — Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe; Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Key Ingredients in French Onion Beans

Yellow onions: Caramelized until they’re golden-brown, sweet yellow onions provide the signature French onion flavor in this dish.
Crusty bread (optional): In combination with the melted Gruyère, hunks of bread from a rustic sourdough loaf or baguette provide that quintessential French onion soup topping.
White wine: A splash gives this dish depth by balancing acidity and sweetness.
Beef or vegetable broth: Beef broth will deliver the savory umami flavors of a typical French onion soup, but don’t underestimate a good vegetable broth, which can easily make the dish vegetarian.
Butter beans: The backbone of the dish, providing the necessary heft and heartiness to make this a satisfying dish.
Sherry vinegar: Just a small amount will brighten the other ingredients here, adding a dynamic element that keeps you coming back for more.

The Kitch’n

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39 Easy Three-Ingredient Desserts for Sharing

Posted on January 29, 2026January 27, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

I’ve always had a sweet tooth and love to end meals with a little treat. A square of dark chocolate or a scoop of ice cream usually does the trick, but making something from scratch is extra-satisfying. On those nights when even quick and easy baking recipes are out of reach, I turn to easy three-ingredient desserts. You’d be surprised what you can do with just a few simple pantry-friendly ingredients. From frozen treats to chocolaty fudge, there is a recipe here for every craving.

Each recipe in this collection has three ingredients or fewer, excluding water, salt, small amounts of oil and optional garnishes. These simple three-ingredient treats rely on clever shortcuts, like boxed cake or brownie mixes, and ingredients with bold flavors, like peanut butter and chocolate, to create something delicious. Some are as easy as melting and mixing a few ingredients together, but if you are in the mood to bake, there are a few classic cookie recipes, including one of my favorites: buttery shortbread.

Many of these quick three-ingredient sweets recipes adapt easily to dietary needs, so you can use dairy-free chocolate chips or gluten-free flour blends without missing a beat. These easy dessert ideas are perfect for taking to potlucks and parties, or when you make last-minute plans and don’t have time to run to the bakery. Whether you choose a frozen fruit-based dessert or a decadent chocolate truffle, you are only three ingredients away from your next sweet treat.

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The 2-Ingredient “Lemon Bars” I Can’t Stop Making (They’re So Easy)

Posted on January 29, 2026January 29, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

Lemon angel bars are my go-to whenever I need to make a super-easy dessert with almost no effort. The fact that they only use two ingredients still surprises me every time I make them. Just stir together angel food cake mix and lemon pie filling, bake, and you’re done! The bars come out soft and airy, with a light texture and a bright lemon flavor. I make this recipe whenever I want something simple and not too heavy. Even better, it’s the kind of dessert I can easily throw together for a last-minute get-together or potluck.

What Makes Lemon Angel Bars So Great

This recipe works because the angel food cake mix provides structure and lift, while the lemon pie filling adds sweetness, moisture, and citrus flavor all at once. There’s no measuring, no mixers, and no complicated steps. The bars bake up fluffy and tender with a soft, cake-like crumb. Once they’re cooled, I like to dust the top with powdered sugar (although they’re just as good plain). These bars prove that minimal ingredients can still deliver big, delicious results.

The Kitch’n

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Pizza Dough Focaccia

Posted on January 29, 2026January 27, 2026 by Reluctant Retiree

There’s nothing quite like a fresh loaf of homemade bread. The smell, the taste, the texture … it’s truly divine. However, it can be hard to find the time to make bread from scratch. While some yeasted bread recipes can be made more quickly than others, others require more of a time investment. That’s why this shortcut pizza dough focaccia is our new favorite.

This recipe requires no measuring or mixing; simply snag a ball or two of your favorite store-bought pizza dough, let it proof, and then bake it in the oven with plenty of olive oil, herbs and flaky sea salt. The result is a soft, spongy flatbread with an open crumb and irresistibly crisp, chewy exterior that will fool everyone into thinking that it’s a traditional focaccia bread recipe. Add this one to your list of creative ideas for using pizza dough.

Ingredients for Shortcut Pizza Dough Focaccia

Pizza dough: For this recipe, you’ll need two balls of fresh or frozen pizza dough. Store-bought pizza crusts that have been parbaked will not work for this recipe.
Olive oil: Focaccia derives much of its flavor from the olive oil in which it’s baked. Therefore, this is a great occasion to splurge on a high-quality olive oil for best results.
Rosemary: Rosemary is a classic topping for focaccia. It has an intoxicating aroma and a warm, woodsy flavor.
Flaky sea salt: Flaky sea salt is a must-have for topping focaccia. It doesn’t dissolve as quickly as table salt, so it imparts a great texture and bursts of salty flavor on the top of the bread. If you don’t have flaked salt, you can substitute coarsely ground Kosher salt.