Back-to-School Recipes from Hip Chick Farms

Coming up with new healthy and kid-friendly lunch and after-school snack ideas can be something of a challenge, but local business Hip Chick Farms makes it a little easier! Hip Chick Farms, a parent-run company based in Sebastopol, has made a mission out of creating a healthier, more sustainable version of that children's menu staple, the chicken finger.

Available at numerous grocery stores in Marin and the Bay Area, including Whole Foods, Mollie Stone's, Woodlands Market, Mill Valley Market, and others, their products are made with Mary's air-chilled chicken, and organic and gluten-free versions are available, too. They also make chicken meatballs and sweet-and-spicy chicken wings. They're all delicious, too! (We've tried them all.)

We asked Hip Chick Farms' Chef Jen a few questions about the business, and she even provided us with a couple of tasty recipes that utilize their products, both of which are perfect for a quick and easy lunch or after school snack.

What was your inspiration for starting Hip Chick Farms?

I began my career working with Alice Waters of Chez Panisse in Berkeley. It was there that I became passionate about creating food that incorporates only the freshest, sustainable and locally sourced ingredients. It was actually my work in Ann and Gordon Getty’s kitchen as their personal chef that motivated me to share my recipes with the world. Part of my job included cooking meals for all the children attending the school in the Gettys' home. My cooking became a pretty big hit with all of the kids – particularly my chicken fingers. This became the inspiration for our Hip Chick Farms’ line of artisan, transparently sourced frozen poultry products; convenient for busy families. Our chicken products contain no artificial ingredients; it’s like I’m in your kitchen, making it for you fresh.

What makes your product different from the others available out there?

I have garnered my experience as a seasoned chef to carefully craft each of our recipes to be up to our standards as moms. This means all of our products are not only artisan, but they are transparently sourced, and the animals are humanely raised. We are very transparent about our products, the ingredients, and the production process every step of the way. We really encourage people to be curious and aware of what they are eating and feeding their families.

What’s your favorite thing about your products and what you do?

My favorite thing about our products is just being able to provide busy families with a quick, delicious, all-natural or organic meal. As a chef, wife, and mother of one kindergartener and 25 farm animals, we know what busy is like. We are always picking our brains for healthful meal ideas we can make for our daughter in a pinch. I love that we can just grab a box of Hip Chick Farms from the freezer; know exactly what is inside the product, and throw it in the oven while we read a book in the kitchen with our daughter. Convenience and healthful dinner option for our family and others!

Mini Meatball Subs

(our kids favorite for school lunch!)

• 8 oz package Hip Chick Farms Baked Chicken Meatballs
• 12 dinner rolls
• 1 medium red onion, diced
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, grated
• 1 cup parmesan, grated
• 2 tbsp fresh basil, chiffonade chopped
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 jar marinara sauce

Heat oil in pan. Add diced onion and sauté for 5 minutes.

Slice buns in half, toast in oven for 3–4 minutes until golden brown.

Add meatballs and marinara sauce to onions. Cook for another 5–10 minutes on medium heat.

Cut dinner rolls in half, put a spoonful of meatballs with sauce onto the bottom bun.

Mix together mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Add a tablespoon of cheese mix on top of meatball. Sprinkle with basil.

Serve immediately.

Gluten Free Hip Chick Farms Chicken and Waffles

• 1 box Hip Chick Farms Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets
• 1 box of your favorite gluten free mini frozen waffles
• Honey or syrup

Cook Hip Chick Farms Gluten Free Chicken Nuggets for 10 minutes at 400ºF.

Toast gluten free waffles until crisp.

Place one Chicken Nugget between two waffles and secure with a toothpick.

Drizzle with honey or you favorite syrup to taste.

For more info, visit www.hipchickfarms.com.

Photos: Hip Chick Farms