LOOK, this isn't going to fit into the super-healthy category most January recipes are written for. It probably won't help with your New Year's resolution, unless you resolved to eat more bacon.

It's a cheat meal, something to put on the table when the family can't take one more night of pomegranate-super-food-fish-oil surprise.

It's easy and comforting, and it will leave you satisfied and ready to get back on the wagon tomorrow. I'm talking about bacon-wrapped chicken fingers.

Yep, as if plain breaded chicken fingers weren't un-virtuous enough, I decided I needed to wrap them in bacon to fully satisfy my cold-weather comfort-food craving.

This recipe came from a posting I saw on Pinterest, originally from the blog, Full Bellies, Happy Kids. I changed up a few of the ingredients and added measurements.

The combination of sweet, salty and spicy appealed to everyone in my family.

If I hadn't been cooking for a toddler who avoids spicy foods, I probably would have added some cayenne pepper to the mix.

This dish certainly isn't a paragon of good nutrition, but I think it's a good example of the importance of balance and variety in everyone's diet.

I served it with a big helping of salad and baked sweet potato "fries" on the side, which made for a colorful plate.

It also led to a plate that looked a little different from what we're used to. I always think it's good to remind kids that chicken, even in finger form, does not necessarily have to be covered in bread crumbs.

This dish was rich, so we had leftovers. The leftover chicken fingers were great the next day chopped and thrown into a wrap with a lot of greens, a few carrots and some blue cheese.

So stay on those New Year's health food kicks. When you need a little break, give these a go. Then get back to kale chips and salmon cakes.

Emily Freehling: fredericksburg.com /The Free Lance-Star
Email: efreehling@freelancestar.com