An anonymous poster suggested that I post an example of a recipe that I submitted to Pillsbury last time but didn't get chosen. Well, here you go.
The requirement was that you use two qualifying products, and it was a huge and varied list. I used three -- Old El Paso taco seasoning mix, Bugles crispy corn snacks, and Progresso bread crumbs. I did test the recipe (I test almost all the recipes I submit to contests) and thought it was pretty tasty. As I recall, there was a limit to the number of ingredients you could use, so that's why it doesn't have lettuce, tomatoes, or other toppings (but they'd probably taste good on it). Is it all that original? Probably not.
Mexican Chicken Melts
3 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons Pillsbury’s Best flour
1 (1.25-ounce) Old El Paso taco seasoning mix, divided
1 egg, beaten
2 cups nacho Bugles crispy corn snacks (from a 14.5-ounce bag)
½ cup plain Progresso bread crumbs (from a 24-ounce container)
2/3 cup bottled ranch dressing
4 ounces thinly sliced Pepper Jack cheese
6 kaiser rolls, sliced horizontally
One large ripe avocado, optional
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place a 14” by 10” wire cooling racks in slightly larger jelly roll pans (such as 15 1/4 x 10 ¼), and spray the rack with cooking spray.
Combine flour and 2 tablespoons taco seasoning mix in a shallow bowl. Beat the egg in a second shallow bowl. Place nacho Bugles in a large zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin or meat mallet. Add Progresso bread crumbs and shake to combine. Pour into a third shallow bowl.
Place each chicken breast half between 2 pieces of plastic wrap. Gently pound chicken with the flat side of meat mallet or rolling pin until about 1/2 inch thick; remove wrap. Cut chicken crosswise in half.
Coat the chicken with the flour mixture. Dip both sides of the chicken in the egg mixture. Remove the chicken from the egg, letting excess drip off. Coat both sides of the chicken with the bread crumb mixture. Place the chicken, without touching, on the rack. Discard remaining flour, egg, and bread crumb mixture.
Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink on the inside. Top with pepper jack cheese and continue baking until cheese is melted.
While chicken is baking, make the sauce by combining the remainder of the taco seasoning mix with the ranch dressing. If you are using an avocado, peel, pit and slice the avocado.
Place each piece of chicken on the bottom of a kaiser roll, cheese side up. Top with slices of avocado, if desired. Spread the sauce generously on the cut sides of each roll top and press onto sandwiches. Serve warm.
Makes 6 sandwiches.
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 – 30 minutes
