Italian Chicken Sticks

Oh how I LOVE Paula Deen. She seems like the sweetest southern lady ever! Mike and I took a day trip to Savanna when we were in Georgia visiting his family over the summer and I must say they love them some Paula Deen. We intended to eat at her restaurant but we should have made reservations....whoops! We plan to go back soon WITH reservations. Anyway I saw this recipe for Italian chicken sticks and since it used a stick of butter I knew it would be good. Very simple weeknight meal.

Italian Chicken Sticks
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
11/2 teaspoons dried thyme
11/2 teaspoons dried basil
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
Pinch ground red pepper
8 boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1/2-inch strips
1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter
Marinara sauce or honey mustard, for dipping

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a pie plate or platter, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, thyme, basil, oregano, salt, garlic powder, and red pepper. Dip the chicken strips in the melted butter, then dredge them in the bread crumb mixture. Place the chicken strips in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Serve the chicken sticks hot with marinara sauce, or serve hot or cold with honey mustard.