Tender Chicken Tenderloin Cheese Gratin
Nutrient-Rich and Filling Chicken Tenderloin Cheese Gratin: Perfect for a Meal or Snack
A delightful chicken tenderloin gratin that’s both a hearty meal and a nutritious snack! This dish features the wonderful combination of tender chicken, chewy rice cakes, and flavorful cheese. It’s perfect as a filling meal replacement, a satisfying snack when hunger strikes, or even as a sophisticated appetizer with a cold beer. Let’s create a wonderful dish with simple ingredients.
Main Ingredients
- Bite-sized chicken tenderloins, 5-6 pieces (approx. 150-200g)
- Rice cake soup slices (Tteokguk tteok), 1 handful (approx. 100g)
- Onion, 1/4 medium size
- Bok choy stems, a small amount (use only stems)
- Sliced cheese, 1 slice
- Mozzarella cheese, 70g
- Salt, 1 pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s sauté the vegetables that will add depth of flavor to the gratin. Lightly coat a pan with perilla oil, add finely minced onion, and sauté over medium-low heat until translucent. Once the onion is somewhat cooked, add the washed and cut bok choy stems (cut into 3-4cm lengths) and stir-fry together. Seasoning with a tiny pinch of salt at this stage will enhance the sweetness of the vegetables.
Step 2
Now it’s time to cook the chicken tenderloins. Using pre-cut ‘bite-sized chicken tenderloins’ makes it convenient. Lightly coat a pan with perilla oil, add the chicken tenderloins, and sear until golden brown on both sides. Ensure the chicken is cooked through.
Step 3
Let’s lightly grill the rice cake soup slices for a chewy texture. In the same pan, add a little more perilla oil and place the rice cake soup slices. Grill them lightly on both sides until the surface is slightly golden. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become hard.
Step 4
Now, let’s layer the ingredients in the oven-safe dish. Lightly coating the dish with butter prevents sticking and adds a nice flavor. First, spread the grilled rice cake soup slices at the bottom. Then, evenly distribute the sautéed onions and bok choy stems on top. For the cooked chicken tenderloins, make small cuts with scissors or chop them into bite-sized pieces and arrange them attractively.
Step 5
It’s time to generously top with cheese! First, sprinkle a good amount of mozzarella cheese. Then, tear the sliced cheese into pieces and scatter them over the mozzarella. This will create a more appealing visual as the cheese melts and browns beautifully during baking. Using plenty of cheese ensures a richer flavor.
Step 6
Finally, let’s bake it to perfection. Place the gratin in a preheated air fryer at 190°C (375°F) and cook for about 8 minutes. Cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model. Once the cheese is golden brown and melted, and a delicious aroma fills the air, it’s ready! Savor the perfect harmony of crispy, browned cheese, tender chicken, and chewy rice cakes. This is excellent as a hearty meal, a satisfying snack, or a wonderful accompaniment to a cold beer!
