Unexpected Dinner Guests.. TONIGHT! HELP!

[BKMETV]

My chicken stand by:

1 cup honey
1/2 cup dijon mustard
2 tbsp curry powder

Mix sauce. Put chicken in dish so they fit snuggly...pour sauce over top and cook at 350*F for 40 - 60 min depending on how thick the breast are. I usually serve it with wild rice mixture and whatever veg I have on hand.

 

[Rora]

You are much nicer than i would be. But then I can't see my ILs flying in unannounced and demanding that DH leave work early to pick them up and then demanding a hot home-cooked meal either. Time for some ground rules here.

What should I do instead?
I have the time, DH chose to take off work (I could've gone to get them), etc. I just need some recipe help. I'm not thrilled by the idea of them being here but I don't think they realized just how much they are imposing-- I think they're just excited to be here and to see us. We're kind enough to pretend we're excited.

Thank you for your opinion though as I do not want to seem like I am a push over!

 

[PixieDustandEeyore]

Seriously just buy some Classico alfredo sauce, grill up the chicken, add some fresh broccolli and by fresh nodles from the grocery store. Its easy takes very little time and such. I make it when Im having company I'm more of a baker than a cooker. I love baking and make a fancy dessert but cooking I'm still learning!

 

[BKMETV]

I think it is nice that your in-laws want to come see you. I have the opposite problem both DH's parent's remarried and are more interested in their new spouse's families. I know how much it hurt DH that they have little to do with him and his family. There are a lot worse things than having family that likes you!! Good luck with dinner.

 

[need2cruise]

Seriously just buy some Classico alfredo sauce, grill up the chicken, add some fresh broccolli and by fresh nodles from the grocery store. Its easy takes very little time and such. I make it when Im having company I'm more of a baker than a cooker. I love baking and make a fancy dessert but cooking I'm still learning!

I can't eat alfredo (or spaghetti) from a jar. I can tell the difference instantly!
If you want alfredo sauce-the easiest recipe is to take some heavy cream (heck, I've used milk when I didn't realize I was out of cream), put some parmesan cheese (usually I buy the fresh but have used the kind in the shaker or the shredded bag of parmesan) and then add some garlic salt and pepper. You can even add in some other type of cheese like mozzarella if you want. I like it better than the jar stuff!!

I posted a fire roasted red sauce earlier. Takes 5 minutes and much much better than the jar stuff!!!

 

[liamsaunt]

What else do you have in the house besides the chicken breasts?

If you have spaghetti sauce and some cheese you could make chicken parmesean. Since you say the breasts are huge slice them in half to make two thinner cutlets from each breast (if they are still a little frozen, do it now, they are easier to cut when still a little frozen). then dredge them in egg and then panko. Cook them in a pan in a little oil until browned on each side. Pour some sauce in a baking dish, place the chicken on top, top with cheese, and bake until the chicken is just cooked through. Serve with a salad and garlic bread if you have those things in the house.

Or (sneaky) if you are truly desperate and don't have time to cook, buy some soup and good bread, or a roast chicken with sides, etc. as well as a salad from the salad bar from the prepared section of your grocery. Throw away the containers under a layer of trash, reheat it in your own cookware, plate it nicely, and voila! "Homecooked" dinner!

 

[becauseisaid]

Be sure to have bread on hand as well. It fills out a meal well especially if you're worried about having enough to go around.

Regardless of what you cook, I would make a point of apologizing profusely (over and over and over again) about the dinner choice. That's also a good time to slip in a "if I'd only known you were coming, I could have prepared better!".

Passive aggressive? Yep. Well deserved? Oh yeah.

 

[Rora]

What else do you have in the house besides the chicken breasts?

If you have spaghetti sauce and some cheese you could make chicken parmesean. Since you say the breasts are huge slice them in half to make two thinner cutlets from each breast (if they are still a little frozen, do it now, they are easier to cut when still a little frozen). then dredge them in egg and then panko. Cook them in a pan in a little oil until browned on each side. Pour some sauce in a baking dish, place the chicken on top, top with cheese, and bake until the chicken is just cooked through. Serve with a salad and garlic bread if you have those things in the house.

Or (sneaky) if you are truly desperate and don't have time to cook, buy some soup and good bread, or a roast chicken with sides, etc. as well as a salad from the salad bar from the prepared section of your grocery. Throw away the containers under a layer of trash, reheat it in your own cookware, plate it nicely, and voila! "Homecooked" dinner!

I do have spaghetti sauce and cheese! That's about it. Great idea!! Thank you!!

Be sure to have bread on hand as well. It fills out a meal well especially if you're worried about having enough to go around.

Regardless of what you cook, I would make a point of apologizing profusely (over and over and over again) about the dinner choice. That's also a good time to slip in a "if I'd only known you were coming, I could have prepared better!".

Passive aggressive? Yep. Well deserved? Oh yeah.

DH already told me to do this..

Thanks for the bread tip!

 

[rascalmom]

What should I do instead?
I have the time, DH chose to take off work (I could've gone to get them), etc. I just need some recipe help. I'm not thrilled by the idea of them being here but I don't think they realized just how much they are imposing-- I think they're just excited to be here and to see us. We're kind enough to pretend we're excited.

Thank you for your opinion though as I do not want to seem like I am a push over!

OP, I just noticed your ages. You and your hubby are young & most likely newly married. You are being a gracious host & daughter-in-law.....this will do far in establishing good graces with the in-laws and I'm sure your dh appreciates you so much.

I'd just be sure to very kindly mention to in-laws that you are so very happy that it worked out that they came when you did not have another commitment and that dh's work was at slow enough point to be able to leave early to greet them. Be very sweet about it, but it will hopefully plant the seed that they should "think" a bit before just surprising you two!

As to dinner - it could just be a generational or regional thing that you MIL assumed you would be making a home-cooked dinner anyway. My own daughter is 23 & she knows I would not expect that because that is not how I've run my household (we eat out a lot), but my MIL was that way.

I hope everything goes well and you all have a good visit.

 

[Duchie]

Here's a super-easy chicken & rice casserole that my brother makes:

boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup Minute rice
Cream of Chicken Soup
1 packet dry onion soup mix

Cut up the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Brown them in a skillet with a little bit of oil. Mix the rice with the soup mix and pour the mixture into a 9x13" glass baking dish. Gently pour browned chicken on top of the rice. Mix the soup with about 2 2/3 cup water and pour it over the chicken. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 min to 1 hour.

 

[LBIJim]

If I flew in at the last minute to 'surprise' someone, I wouldn't expect for them to prepare dinner for me.

Exactly, that's kinda rude IMO.

Didn't your stove "break down" last night?

Here's something quick and EZ.

Chicken with Salsa

If the breasts are "ginormous" cut them into smaller pieces. Saute them in a little oil in a pan until no longer pink. Dump a jar of salsa (any degree of hotness) over chicken in pan. Cover and simmer 20-30 minutes until done.

Or in the oven: spray pyrex dish with cooking spray. Place ckicken and salsa in dish. Cover and heat at 350 for 30-40 minutes.

Serve with either white rice (put some excess salsa from pan over rice) or a box/bag of a rice mix, such as Zatarain's or Lipton's(Knorr's) Spanish rice.

A tossed salad goes great with it too.

Good luck whatever you do. Hope all goes well.

Jim

 

[njsweetP]

Here's my go to's (recipes are from different sites I visit):

Honey Baked Chicken

4 split chicken breasts
2 tbsp honey
2 tbsp melted butter
2 tsp mustard
paprika

Place chicken in glass dish, mix remaining ingredients and pour over chicken. Bake on 350 for about an hour (or until chicken is done).

Ohh... I'm going to make this tonight! Sounds delish.... I had planned to stop
at the store before picking DD up from softball practice, but after reading this, went to the freezer instead and picked out 2 huge boneless chicken breasts. Now to come up with a side. I already made a devil's food cake and homemade frosting! Thanks!

Here's another chicken recipe that's really good, and quick.

For the marinade (can marinade 30 minutes or overnight) - all ingredients
are approximate:

2 Tbsp olive oil
juice of one lime
1 Tbsp honey
1tsp or so of hot pepper flakes
2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
salt and pepper

mix all ingredient and pour over chicken breasts making sure to coat evenly, cover and refrigerate for as long as you can. Chicken can either be grilled or pan seared ...serve with grilled peppers or whatever you have on hand.

 

[marcyinPA]

This one is a good go-to recipe too:

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Swiss-Chicken/Detail.aspx

 

[shinysparklybubbles]

Someone on the board recommended this before and it's tasty! Take chicken breast spray with squirty butter and put dry ranch dressing mix on top and bake. So simple and so tasty!!

 

[bethbuchall]

MIL is insisting they eat a homecooked meal for dinner tonight since they had "such a long flight" eating "air-plane food". DH was so apologetic and said he had no clue about this. He's pretty POed at his mom..
and you're lucky!! Wanna trade in-laws?

They are boneless.


I am willing to go to the store but would rather use what I have on hand.. which isn't too much. I do think I've got some panko crumbs and olive oil though...

THANK YOU ALL! If anyone has any other thoughts, keep them coming! I'm going to call DH in about 15 minutes to see what he thinks would work best-- his mom is picky. Poor DH had to take off the rest of the day to go pick them up at the airport...

Again, I really appreciate all your help!

Mine have their own set of issues, but I wouldn't trade them!

If they are boneless, I would go with the chicken parm idea that someone else gave. A tossed salad and a loaf of good bread would make easy sides. You could also cook up some pasta to go with it.

A quick store bought marinade and grilling are good, too. Then I'd probably serve the tossed salad and oven roasted potatoes. There is an easy one that is on the Lipton onion soup packet.

For either choice, asparagus would also go well. You can just saute it lightly in a pan with some garlic until just tender. My whole family loves it like that.

Good luck! Especially since you also have to deal with picky eating habits!

 

[Judy Judy Judy]

Well you can't go wrong with a chicken and rice casserole, with a side salad. that's alway's a winner here.

 

[mjkacmom]

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Chicken-Piccata-5154

All of my kids love this, and you can serve it over rice.

 

[FredinFL]

Stouffer's frozen Lasagna and a nice fresh loaf of italian bread with a side salad.

Pick up a pie to stick in the oven and some vanilla ice cream. Wal-lah. Dessert.

Oh, and some booze, just for you.

 

[Rora]

OP here!

I decided to go with the Honey Baked Chicken and it's in the oven. The in-laws are here and I'm doing my best to be very sweet and gracious. Trying.

I really want to thank you all for all your help and suggestions! I created a huge Word document and saved all the posts! These will be my new "go to recipes" and I plan to make a few while my inlaws are here.

As always, the DIS rocks. Thank you thank you thank you!

 

[The_Alice]

Glad to hear it! Good luck with dinner tonight, can't wait to hear how it turns out!