4 Tips for Perfectly Cooked Chicken
Feb
28
2018
Hi Hungry Girl,I love chicken breast and want to prepare it more often at home. But I find raw chicken a little intimidating, and I can never get it to taste as delicious as restaurant chicken! Any advice?
Protein Shaken
Hi Protein Shaken,I'm also a huge fan of chicken breast. It's one of my favorite types of lean protein, but only if it's prepared right. Over the years here at Hungryland, we've come up with some go-to tips & tricks for perfect chicken every time. (P.S. These pointers work for other types of poultry and meat too! Cook times may vary.)
Beat It
Even thickness leads to even cooking. A basic meat mallet is a great kitchen tool. This highly rated Amazon find costs under ten bucks. But you can pound your protein even if you don't own a meat mallet. Just grab a can, and take out all your frustrations on that chicken breast. Not into attacking your dinner? Carefully slice your protein like a sandwich bun, giving you thinner, more even portions. Or purchase chicken breast cutlets, which are generally nice and even!
Season It
No one enjoys bland chicken. Always season your protein with a little salt and pepper. Other classic spices? Garlic powder and onion powder. Taco seasoning mix and similar blends are great shortcuts to flavor-ville! And if you're watching your sodium, try the seasoning blends by Mrs. Dash.Cook It
This part is KEY. Let’s make that protein sizzle! Here are the easiest ways to cook your lean protein...
... in a skillet
Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Cook your cutlet for about 5 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. You can also use a grill pan like this one. (Grill marks make everything taste better!)
... baked in a foil pack
Cooking your food in a packet of foil cuts down on mess and allows for even cooking. It also results in super-tender chicken, perfect for shredding. Just place the chicken cutlet between two pieces of heavy-duty foil sprayed with nonstick spray, and fold the edges to seal. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until cooked through.
... in a slow-cooker/Instant Pot
Set it and forget it! If you want to whip up a big pot of protein, consider using a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Just be sure to add some liquid, like chicken broth, to avoid scorching your meat. In a slow cooker, you'll want to cook your chicken for 3 - 4 hours on high or 7 - 8 hours on low. And here's a recipe for Instant Pot Garlic ‘n Herb Shredded Chicken!
Bring a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray to medium heat. Cook your cutlet for about 5 minutes per side, or until just cooked through. You can also use a grill pan like this one. (Grill marks make everything taste better!)
... baked in a foil pack
Cooking your food in a packet of foil cuts down on mess and allows for even cooking. It also results in super-tender chicken, perfect for shredding. Just place the chicken cutlet between two pieces of heavy-duty foil sprayed with nonstick spray, and fold the edges to seal. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes, or until cooked through.
... in a slow-cooker/Instant Pot
Set it and forget it! If you want to whip up a big pot of protein, consider using a slow cooker or Instant Pot. Just be sure to add some liquid, like chicken broth, to avoid scorching your meat. In a slow cooker, you'll want to cook your chicken for 3 - 4 hours on high or 7 - 8 hours on low. And here's a recipe for Instant Pot Garlic ‘n Herb Shredded Chicken!
HG Tip: Use a meat thermometer like this one to check the internal temperature of your chicken. 165 degrees = cooked through.
BTW: No matter which method you choose, let the meat rest for a few minutes before cutting or shredding. (This will help seal in those yummy juices!)
One more thing: Check out this fantastic guide on food safety for preparing poultry at home.
Knowledge is (protein) power!
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