Ever see those posts on Facebook where somebody says something like, “OMG…this is my EVERYTHING?”

Maybe it’s just my friends, but it seems like “my everything” is the latest equivalent of “greatest thing ever” to hit the internet. I’m not complaining, by any means – I’m sort of a fan of funny social media hyperbole. (Not to mention a user of it, occasionally – guilty as charged on that.) It’s just something I noticed, and it made me think of food. Obviously. Because all the things apparently make me think of food.

For me, “my everything” makes a lot of sense as a measure of praise, because – follow the logic, here – EVERYTHING BAGELS. I love the things. I don’t eat them very often, but I do love them, when they’re properly done. (Note: that’s hardly ever.) I think the combination of the salty, earthy, crunchy, nutty, slightly sour, slightly tangy flavors in the coating on Everything bagels is one of the most perfect food ideas on Earth. So a few times a year, I indulge myself and head over to a local shop that makes a darned decent Everything bagel, and I order one piled with smoked salmon, tomatoes, red onions, and capers, because the only thing that can improve on an Everything bagel in my book is a whole bunch of amazingly pungent stuff that will render your breath unfit for polite company for the rest of the day.

However, that’s only a few times a YEAR. That’s the frequency with which I allow myself to give in to my Everything lust. Or it was…until I schemed my way into this chicken recipe. This is the Chicken of My Everything, otherwise known as Everything-Crusted Chicken, and it’s awesome.

Why chicken? Why not? I could have made bagels or pretzels or buns or something, but that’s far more complicated, and would have resulted – most likely – in a negligible increase in my Everything consumption. I wanted something faster, fresher, healthier, and easier to pull together whenever the craving strikes. For what it’s worth, I think the coating would be absolutely phenomenal on salmon or pork, but chicken is more economical and let’s face it: Boneless, skinless chicken is sort of the Supreme High Ruler of easy family meals, no? So why fight it?

Gluten-free, easy to make, and a fun twist on the “crunchy bites of chicken rolled in something” phenomenon that brings families to the table so willingly…that’s the Everything-Crusted Chicken. Oh, and it makes for killer leftovers, too.

See? Amazing leftovers. Perfect for lunchboxes.

Get the recipe: Everything-Crusted Chicken