A food processor is the cleanest, quickest way to get the toasts to a sand-and-pebble consistency, but you can also leave the Melba toast in the packaging, let out any excess air and crush them with a rolling pin.

　　

Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

　　2 large eggs

　　1 tablespoon Dijon-style mustard

　　1 teaspoon dried thyme

　　3/4 teaspoon salt

　　1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

　　1 package (5 1/4 ounces) plain Melba toast, pulsed to sand-and-pebble texture

　　4 drumsticks and 4 thighs, skin removed

　　Spray bottle filled with vegetable oil or vegetable-oil cooking spray

　　

Step 1

1. Adjust oven rack to upper-middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Mix eggs, mustard, thyme, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish. Put Melba toast crumbs in another shallow dish. Set a large wire rack over an 18-by-12-inch foil-lined jelly-roll pan.

　　

Step 2

2. Using one hand for dry ingredients and the other for wet, lay chicken pieces, 4 at a time, in egg mixture; roll to coat. Then lay 1 piece at a time in Melba crumbs. Press a mix of crumbs into top of chicken. Turn piece over and repeat, pressing crumbs into other side. Gently shake off excess.

　　

Step 3

3. Set chicken on rack. Spray top portion of chicken pieces evenly with oil. Bake until chicken is nutty brown and juices run clear, 30 minutes for drumsticks and 35 minutes for thighs. Serve immediately.

　　CookSmartHoughton Mifflin