Keeping Your Boneless Chicken Recipes Moist
Posted by Christine Szalay-Kudra on August 23, 2010
If you generally cook with boneless chicken, you know how convenient it is, but you also might run into one of its biggest problems. Chicken without bones all too often becomes dry and tough; making you feel like every bite has to be washed down. Fortunately, you do not have to put up with dry chicken. There are plenty of things you can do about it, including some methods used by professional chefs. Here is how to make moist, delicious chicken every time.
You May Be Overcooking Your Chicken
The biggest reason that most people end up with dishes that are dry and tasteless is that they are overcooking. Chicken without bones in it can cook much faster than chicken that is bone-in. However, you cannot just reduce cooking time, since you might undercook your chicken or end up with a dish that is not done yet. There are other ways to keep chicken moist.
Adding Moisture Saves The Day
Allowing your boneless chicken breasts and thighs to absorb some extra moisture before you cook can make a big difference. There are several options for doing this and getting a tender, tasty meal that does not suffer from dryness. One is to brine the chicken. This allows you to put extra moisture into the meat that will not evaporate while cooking is going on.
To make brine, combine salt, water, and desired seasonings. Remember not to include as much salt in other areas of the recipe if you choose to brine, and do not dissolve too much salt into the brining liquid itself. Otherwise, you could end up with a sodium laden bird that has other taste problems.
Boneless chicken can also be marinated. Use a vinaigrette, light dressing, Italian Salad Dressing, or a homemade mixture to marinate your meat. Anything with a little acid makes a great marinade. A bonus of marinating your chicken recipes is that you will get some great flavor added.
Baking your chicken properly is another way to avoid drying out boneless chicken. Think about adding water or other liquid in the bottom of the pan, for instance. Red wine is a great choice. You can also put a liquid or sauce on top of the meat to keep the upper areas from getting dry and leathery.
Popular choices are bechamel, marinara, salsa, and many others. Just be creative and you will find you have a recipe for boneless chicken that will be a hit with the whole family. Remember that cooking time and heat matter, too – three fifty degrees and twenty minutes are the most common.
Take some time to consider ways to add moisture to your meat, and your cooking will improve. Boneless chicken is an extremely convenient meat, but it can be tricky to cook well. Learning to work with it can take your meals from edible to spectacular, with only a little effort. There are lots of great options out there, so take the time to find out more.
Looking for great chicken recipes try the site dedicated to chicken recipes chicken recipes. not your boring old chicken recipes.
