You only get to consume 165 calories for every 100 grams of chicken breast. It is a healthy option but not exactly a crowd favorite. Who wants stale meat when you can have crispy fried chicken skin, right? But when cooked well, you can enjoy eating chicken breast any day. Chicken breast is the easiest part of the chicken to cook. The last thing you want is a dry, overcooked chicken. That’s why preparation is crucial to avoid this meal disaster. Chicken breast can be your meal staple with some helpful tips.
How To Cook Chicken Breasts Without Drying Them Out
There’s nothing more frustrating than serving a dry and tasteless chicken after cooking tirelessly in the kitchen. But remember, no tasty dish turns perfectly cooked overnight. It takes planning to achieve a hearty and flavorful meal using chicken breast.
Here are seven ways to cook chicken breast to perfection:
Temper Your Chicken
Bring the chicken breast closer to room temperature to cook it evenly. Let it sit for around 15 to 20 minutes, depending on how thick the chicken is. This saves you time while ensuring your chicken is cooked well.
Tenderize
Pounding softens and gives a thinner cut to the chicken and helps absorb spices well. You can use a zip-top bag or parchment paper to place the chicken inside. Gently tap the chicken using a meat mallet or a rolling pin until you get your desired thickness. Bonus tip: Use a mixture of baking soda and flour to tenderize chicken breast.
Season
It’s a must to season your chicken before placing it in a hot pan, so it gets all the flavor. Chicken breast goes well with any herbs and spices, but salt can simply do the trick. Pat the chicken dry before seasoning. Season the chicken with salt after cooking for best results.
Preheat The Pan
Preheating your pan in medium to high heat is key if you want a savory chicken breast meal. Let each side sear for about three minutes once the chicken is in the pan. You can use butter or olive oil on a non-stick skillet or any available pan.
Don’t Overcook
You’ll know your chicken is overcooked when it looks dry. Time and temperature must be considered to avoid this. Ideally, cook the chicken breast to 165° F for 10 seconds. But you can also cook at a lower temperature for longer to get the same results. Bonus tip: Marinate the chicken breast with yogurt or cream cheese mixture to prevent it from drying out once cooked.
“Preheating your pan in medium to high heat is key if you want a savory chicken breast meal. Let each side sear for about three minutes once the chicken is in the pan. You can use butter or olive oil on a non-stick skillet or any available pan.”
Rest
Like any other meat, let your chicken rest on a cutting board for a few minutes before slicing. Resting allows the natural juices to distribute evenly. Another option is to keep the chicken in the pan for a few seconds, even after turning off the heat.
Cut Against The Grain
Cooked chicken breast should be cut properly in the direction of the grain or the long muscle fibers so that the chicken stays tender and moist.
Tips For Baked Chicken Breast
Like grilling or frying, consider the time and temperature to bake chicken breast perfectly. Set your oven at a higher temperature for about 15 to 20 minutes, and keep the chicken’s internal temperature to at least 165°F before cooking it. You can also try soaking your chicken in a mixture of salt and water for 20 to 30 minutes to prevent it from drying.
“Adding barbecue sauce before grilling is a common mistake, as the sauce contains sugar that might result in a browning effect on the meat. This can trick you into thinking that your chicken is already fully cooked when it isn’t.”
Tips For Grilled Chicken Breast
Grilled chicken breast is cooked slowly and steadily. Start your meal prep with your grill by heating oil to a high enough smoke point to stop the meat from sticking. Grilling chicken should be set at a lower temperature. Wait for about 3 to 5 minutes to flip to the other side to thoroughly cook the chicken. You can also use a meat thermometer to get the right temperature. When cooking skinless and boneless chicken breast, the trick is to cook it in less time than you usually do with fried chicken.
Adding barbecue sauce before grilling is a common mistake, as the sauce contains sugar that might result in a browning effect on the meat. This can trick you into thinking that your chicken is already fully cooked when it isn’t. Add the sauce only when you’re taking the chicken off the grill.
Key Takeaways
Whether you want it pan-fried, grilled, or baked, there are several easy chicken breast recipes you can make with just a few ingredients. Say goodbye to bland, unappetizing chicken breast recipes when you follow these easy steps:
- Temper and tenderize the chicken
- Season and preheat before cooking
- Don’t overcook
- Let the chicken rest before cutting it against the grain.
