ChefDylan

Working as I did in the service industry for 13 years I was always asked to "make something" when it came time to meet the parents. I always wondered if showing my domestic side gained me more points with the moms or lost me more points with the dads. I am single now so I guess that means something. I know all my relationships lasted long after i cooked this for people so this didnt kill the romance. I like it because it is quick, simple and there is just enough stuff to do to get your girlfriend/boyfriend or significant other to do something without having a great deal of cooking knowledge.

Chicken Diavola ( friggin cool name to whip on any prospective Mother-in-Law
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chicken breasts 1 per person....two if you dont mind lookin like a pig or you have inside info that her dad thinks only sissies eat one boob.

Dijon or white wine mustard.... this is really mild mustard that just about anyone will like. Even if you dont like mustard, dont worry. Much is absorbed by the chicken but I have never found a decent substitute. 8-10 oz jar is good

Butter.... dont go cheap...remember you are being IMPRESSIVE here. one stick per jar of mustard is perfect.

bread crumbs..... get the fancy italian stuff. Looks better than plain bread crumbs and costs about the same. Get something with some Italian guy with a big mustache on the front for added cool points.

a hammer......meat tenderizer...or your own big meaty masculine hands... any of these will do. dont forget plastic wrap....just in case the mom hasnt made it to wal mart that week.


Here we go:

place chicken breasts on plastic wrap piece long enough to double the plastic over the breast with room to spare....now smash that thing like you just put it in a corset! you want thin here. It will cut the cook time in half and you are covering this thing in breading so thin is good.

melt the stick of butter and mix it with the dijon/white wine mustard. stone ground mustard if her parents are german.....you can always pretend you like it or make a couple different varieties.

dredge the chicken in the mustard/butter mix then put in bread crumbs. we are lookin for good even coverage here. you want them with a solid 1/8 to 1/4 inch of covearage to make a nice shell which will brown nicely in the oven. If you arent a good conversationalist go with 1/8th.

place these on a baking sheet OOOOOOOR!! win points with mom by bringing along disposable pie pans and placing each breast in a pie pan you won't have to clean up and she wont have to help with.

Place in oven at 350-375 for 45 min for 1/8th inch think crust and add about 10-15 min for a thicker crust. When the outside is nicely browned they are done.

* I recommend serving with baby red potatoes drizzled with butter garlic and fresh basil. For a vegetable go with something easy and colorful.....carrots cook a bit slow but you can pan fry multi-colored squash and snow peas in a flash if you dont want to bother with trying to time things.

Good luck and this is also a good recipe just to get the whole family involved....kids love dredging anything.....its squishy!

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Siege

This sounds pretty tasty (although 1 stick of butter sounds like it'll kill me).

Just out of curiousity, how many chicken breasts will 1 stick of butter and 1 8-10oz jar of mustard cover?

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This part just makes my posts easier to find

LadySin

Mmmm yeah this does sound really good. I might try this sometime this week. Thanks

ChefDylan

the butter/mustard combo is really a dredge....just something to make the breadcrumbs stick and give it flavor.... last time I used this I made dinner for my uncle, myself, his woman and her three kids.....so you can really make this stuff stretch....for two ppl just use half of the amount listed and you can save on ingredients if you wanna keep the mustard. i would say half a stick and half a jar o mustard would probly do for 4 chicken breasts pounded out flat.

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Duct Tape is like The Force...... There is a Dark Side, a Light Side and it holds the Universe together!