When using a steak hammer for chicken breasts does it really make the meat more juicy and succulent?

[drshlomo]

Ive just recently brought a steak hammer after hearing nonstop of the benefits of breaking down the fibres resulting in a more tender meat which is usually beef. Can I do this with chicken breasts as I've seen this being done on cookery shows but this is usually done when thinning out a breast to make a kiev or add some other filling.

[ummmm]

They also use them to make the chicken the same thickness so cooks evenly.

[boxtops]

Personally - I think it makes it flatter and thus more pliable if you are making kievs or similar. I wouldn't hammer a normal chicken breast, part of the enjoyment of a juicy chicken breast is a thick slice on your plate!

[poodicat]

Cant see why not,all you will have will be indentations on the chicken

[drshlomo]

What about with steaks/meat can you really tell the difference between meat tenderised with the hammer and meat which hasn't?

[ummmm]

A good quality steak doesn't really need to be tenderised.

[drshlomo]

Ummm I understand this but in this current economic climate with many not having enough cash to be able to afford a good quality steak very often I wonder if one could maybe buy a cheaper cut of meat and tenderise enough to have a good substitute?